SPACES ON MY MIND / 2

Every weekday from 9am to 6pm, I sit in a dark room with two of my coworkers. There are no skylights, no windows, unless you count the glass partition that separates our room from the office hallway. We do have a nice view though - oh wait, that's just the wall decal cut in the shape of a city skyline.

Lit only by a floor lamp and the light of our monitors (granted, two of us have 27" mac monitors and we could turn on those horrific fluorescent overheads), we pass the hours in our cave, itching for an excuse to feel the warmth of the California sun on our skin. Do we really need to take that trip to Walgreens? The answer is "yes" if it is a sunny day, which - one should note - has constituted about 90% of my days since my move to the west coast.

I like going to work and have a pretty good time with my coworkers, but I'm beginning to think that the lack of natural light in our room is starting to effect my health, mood, and *heaven forbid* my productivity at work. The officemates and I have talked about sprucing up our room to make the space feel more...at least... livable. Bookshelves, desk lamps, inspirational posters - but I don't think we'll truly be able to escape our room's dreary "cave effect" until we punch a giant hole in the ceiling to let in some natural light. (If you couldn't tell, I just really want to bring in some plants to fill the space with more life, but alas, plants are really a no-go in a room without the very thing they need to survive.)

So, until we're featured in an episode of an Extreme Makeover: Office Edition or move office buildings, my space-envy will continue for whoever get to enjoy these light and life-filled spaces currently on my mind.

How do you feel about your office spaces? What are your *musts* for your workspace?

d.

STUDIO HUNTING

Half a year into the so-called "real world," I'm finally getting around to looking for an art space to continue my studio practice. Ideally, this amazing studio would be part of my equally amazing abode, but alas, our 500 sq. ft apartment has no space for my creative mess, so off I go to search through craigslist. So far I've been surprised to discover the dearth of studio spaces available on the peninsula.

I actually scoped out a great studio space this weekend just a short bike ride from home, and as much as I loved it, it was above my price-point. Even still, I was considering taking the studio with the idea of finding a studio-partner in mind, but before I could even put out an ad to find someone to share the space with, I received an email this morning telling me that the studio had already been grabbed. Sigh. I guess it was not meant to be. If any of you know anyone in the bay area, please let me know if you hear of any studio availabilities on the peninsula! 

With my real-life 20-something-year-old budget, I will probably be lucky to find a level table somewhere in a partially-sunny, communal studio space on the peninsula, but I thought it couldn't hurt to share several beautiful studio spaces that have the meat and bones of my dream studio.

Who's not to say that one day I'll be working out of a space like these?

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SPACES ON MY MIND

Hi ho, friends! Finally finding myself with some time to blog. Working two jobs keeps you plenty busy and tired. 

In two months, I'll be leaving Hanover (along with it's less than ideal residential options) and moving to the west coast. J's been out there for a couple of weeks and has found an apartment with good bones for us to build upon. It's a small but functional, neutral and sunny space; and importantly, it comes unfurnished. 

Needless to say, I've been going a little bit overboard dreaming about and planning the space and J's been patient enough to indulge my fantasies and put up with the million emails I send him with links to inspirational rooms, furniture, and accessories (curated on my pinterest). I'm envisioning a clean, minimal space evocative of the natural world; lots and lots of neutrals.... with moments of yellow ochre and pots of plants. (I'm currently obsessed with mid-century furniture, but that's for another blog post all together.)

Thought I'd share some of the spaces and pieces that have been on my mind. I'm referring to these as jumping off points as we curate pieces for the apartment. So dreamy, minimal, and beautiful with the essence of home. Stay tuned for updates in the future about what the space actually ends up looking like!

What are you envisioning for your next home? Share share!

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