Around The Room | The Office In Progress
Tags:This is one of those posts where I grabbed my camera and took some shots of life "as it is."
As it is around here right now means lots of projects in progress, piles on the floor, and me still simply trying to see and feel just how I want this space to work (while working in it).
As you come into my office you walk by built-in shelves (they were built into an alcove that was already there) that were designed to fit 12x12 albums with extra supports for the weight. The spotlights were already there and that top shelf has become a good spot for some of my larger projects and "A's" (most found at antique or junk shops).
The yellow walls were here when we moved in - those walls, along with the one window at the far end, make it a bit of a challenge to get the colors in the photos correct. I like the yellow but I daydream about having it all white.
Looking into the office while standing by the shelves this is what you see:
01 | A small couch with a TV for kids and/or husband. I can see the TV from my desk (just in case I need to have the TV on while working on my computer which is just about never).
02 | The area opposite the couch is where I hope to have a sit-down table one of these days. Right now it's a catch-all for things that need to but put away or hung up (more specifically photos and art that don't yet have a home in our home). I have a bit of fear that the same thing will happen when I put a table there, but the goal is to have a place for the kids or friends to come over and work on projects. There's also a little chalkboard for Anna and a small bookshelf along the wall that holds my art/design/craft/scrapbooking books.
03 | My computer table/desk and all my hardware. I just recently turned the table around so I face into the room - much happier with that setup.
04 | My work table - originally a kitchen island.
05 | Sewing machine and typewriter and more storage.
06 | Lockers. I found these at an antique fair a few years back and I still love them. They hold extra adhesive, painting supplies, ribbon basket, embossing stuff, etc.
Here's a closer look at some of the spaces mentioned above:
My computer table. Along the back of the couch I've got a row of wire shelves that hold my computer tower, printers, scanner, etc.
This is what it looks like if you are standing over by the lockers and look towards my computer table.
12x12 paper storage on top of a piece I picked up at an antique shop. There's nothing in those drawers just yet. The wood piece hanging on the wall is from Pottery Barn.
Here's what you see when looking from that corner over towards the lockers:
I'm still using the same kitchen island I've had since I first started scrapbooking. I have dreams of a bigger work surface - like two of these from Ikea placed back to back.
A layout in progress.
Next to the table is a rolling cart I found last summer at an antique fair. Still not sure I love how I'm using it right now, but it's working.
Stuff on the floor next to the cart.
And the sewing machine/typewriter/more storage area.
Other things currently on the floor include:
My December Daily supplies. I want to go through what I have left again and see what I might want to use this year and what can be shared.
My 2010 Project Life. A sad thing happened to this a few weeks ago - it fell off the ledge it had been sitting on and exploded onto the floor. My next task is to go back in and attempt to put things back in somewhat of an order.
It's all a work in progress. The room, the projects, etc.
My dreams for this space include skylights and some sort of hardwood flooring vs. the carpet. Someday.













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149 comments
YOWZA! That's a lot of albums!
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Seriously.
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Have been looking forwad to a view of your room. Love the shelves that store the albums what a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
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SO SORRY about Project Life---at least you have your photos of it, yay! for that.
TFS the awesome room. I know you'll post again when it's all tidy :)! The 12" deep shelves are my fav.
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Thanks for sharing - and especially love Lily in the middle of all of it
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LOVE seeing your space in detail... Lots of great vintage elements. Didn't see you speak of the great printers tray on the floor...looks like an oldie! Glad to know I'm not the only one with piles on the floor... although mine didn't fall off the shelf... they are just piles waiting to be sorted..LOL
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by kelly mc willette, Becky Higgins. Becky Higgins said: : ) for sharing your space, Ali. : ( for the #projectlife crash. RT (via @aliedwards) Around The Room http://bit.ly/heQstb [...]
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Would love more info on your letterpress tray. The link under it in your DIY decor section is not working. I would love to make one of these. thanks
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Thanks for that link Kim - I can fix that one ;). Appreciate it!
somehow when I click on the more details "here" image on this page http://aliedwards.com/about-ali/portfolio/decor-diy# it doesn't work, so thank you for sending it. I am searching right now for a tray!
Hi Kim - not sure which link isn't working? Here's a link to the post about the tray: http://aliedwards.com/2008/05/weekend-creative-photo-type-case.html
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I feel like all my piles (that sometimes make logical sense to me, sometimes not after I look through them - what was I thinking with this assortment of things?) are in good company with your piles. And every person's piles because we all have them - somewhere in our homes. Love the tour. Love all the letters. I need to pick up more "J"S for my home. I was just dreaming about painting white walls in my place last last week. Then thought of the irony of how I couldn't wait to have my own place so I could leave the white apartment wall look behind. The grass is always greener on the other side. . . :)
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So true Jill, so true.
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Love your space! It's the envy of all of us who have to share a space. I have a corner of my bedroom and I also took over my dining room but I find it so hard to create with others and their noise around. Maybe someday I will get a room of my own with a door that locks!
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Wow, I love how "real life" this is.
Question: On the board by the lockers is a alphabet thing that looks like laser-cut wood? What is it? It's super cool!
Also, how sad about PL 2010!! I hope that it all goes back together quicker and easier than you imagine.
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Hi Pidge - I'm trying to remember where that's from...when I find a link I'll let you know.
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Love the work in progress pictures. You can definitely tell that you get a lot done in there and that's nice to see! I just finished my space over the weekend and I am loving it! If you want to see it go here http://simplyharris.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing!
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I really appreciate that you're sharing your office "as is," Ali. Instead of leaving me frustrated with my own creative space, like so many styled studio photographs do, it is helping me see new possibilities within what I have. It's lived in, authentic. And that makes it all the more inspiring.
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Dear Ali, I recently got a re-do of my 10x12 scrapbook room. I kept getting more and more "stuff". I couldn't stand the clutter. I stripped most of it out and we put in a 12' long countertop. Under the countertop are two shelves to hold albums. They sit neatly under my feet and out of the way. They stretch for about 9 feet each! The rest of the albums are in closets around the house. As I scrapbook year after year, I find that the less I have, the more creative I feel. I realize that some people are just the opposite! Thanks for the tour.
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I'm the same way - moving towards less all the time :).
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um...I paint. and I live close to you. :) I could come over and paint your walls white for you. :)
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I might take you up on that one of these days :)
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Amazing! My hubby has been promising me a scrap space for years, yet I'm still in the unfinished basement on an 8' table. I think he's afraid that I want one of those stark white rooms with white melamine cabinets, and that isn't what he wants to do. I love seeing all of your eclectic storage and decorations - much more me!
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Love the tour! I love all the displays you have up in your office, I like eye candy! I don't like all the stuff that comes with scrapbooking (though I do love to organize it all!). I guess you have to take the bad with the good! ;)
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LOVE this. A true representation that makes me feel normal for not having a magazine cover ready studio. Piles are okay and questionable items can still hang out until they are no longer needed. Now, I must go check out some antique/junk stores I been meaning to walk into and see what I can find to enhance my space. A collection of beauty and inspiration. Thanks girl!
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Really too bad about your PL album. I love to see other people's spaces, especially in working form. I like how all your furniture isn't matchy matchy. I love using found pieces too. One of my friends just got custom cabinetry for her craft room & I was so jealous at 1st. We all agreed it was beautiful but then we all hate to go in there and mess it up so we end up in the kitchen ;) Silly I know. How did you hang that pottery barn cubby/shelf on your wall? I thought about getting it but it looked really heavy.
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I used picture hangers that are designed to hold a lot of weight. I looked for the ones at the store that held the most ;).
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love this post, ali! thanks for sharing.
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Hi Ali, i love that you've photographed your office in its "messy" state, and the way that you see it everyday. It would be a great picture for Project life, the way your life is right now.
Thanks for sharing!
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