Off to work we go…

Home and Gardens Magazine
Designer - Elizabeth Hay
Photography - Alecia Neo/NEON Studios

Home & Gardens Magazine, via Facebook, fed me this amazing Home Office designed by Elizabeth Hay. Color, pattern, texture; it’s a lot, I know.

This is my Home Office. The kitchen. My desk, over yonder. The family command center. The hub. Computer, drawer, dog bed. Constant activity. Used daily; for hours. I work here. I surf the net here. I collect pens and pencils and hide the WIFI password here.

It’s a lot, I know!

My ideal Home Office lands somewhere in the middle.

Attractive yet functional. Private yet accessible. Void of, well everything, yet makes me appear to be busy at work.

My Personal Work Zone must have…

Drawers –

Dream - Every item in its rightful home. Perfectly placed. Only the essentials.

In-between – Matching drawer organizers to hold pens, paperclips, lipstick, gum.

Reality – One space, a million items. A true junk drawer.

Basket –

Dream - Cute countertop basket holding items carefully placed, waiting for action.

In-between – Largish basket with a lid that closes to hold a myriad of things.

Reality – Giant laundry basket held up to the counter’s edge. One sweep and we’re ready for company!

Wall Calendar -

Dream – Color coordinated, impeccable penmanship; a professionally framed work-of-art.

In-between – Office blotter type desk calendar with dates marked and lots of doodles.

Reality – Electronic calendar… it’s 2025.

Seating –

Dream – Ergonomic, rocking, swivel chair upholstered in a smooth caramel leather. A boss chair!

In-between – Chair stolen from the kitchen table. Soft cushion. Strong back.

Reality – Backless stool from Target with stripped screws that don’t tighten and can’t be removed.  (So… I rock… maybe a bit of my dream come true.)

Privacy –

Dream – A private exterior entrance for clients, huge work table to lay out design boards, cabinets stocked with samples sorted by color, and a door that locks at the end of the day. Swoon!

In-between – A converted bedroom with a door that closes.

Reality – The corner of the kitchen, the kitchen island, sometimes the dining room table – public space with lots of “public” touching my stuff.

Actual verses want; a bit off.

What does your Home Office look like? Does it suit you? Yes; you’re lucky. No; you’ve got a job to do. Start here…

Identify your dream. Come to grips with your reality. Land somewhere in the middle.

Now, stop reading and get back to work!