Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Finding Home in Our Work Spaces

14 Comments

I’ve talked a lot here about my office space through the years. There was the post about my closet office back in Louisiana and the picture of my research spot in a nearby park. Here in Albuquerque, you’ve seen my office when we first moved in, the addition of my desk, a tour of my bookshelves, the bulletin board above my desk, the rubber rat on the desk itself, and the closet overhaul I had done in May.

While I don’t do the majority of my writing here (I still prefer the couch, the bed, or Starbucks), I love this space. There’s something about being surrounded by familiar books and inspiring words that makes me feel at home.

Last month I added in two more pieces of furniture, a secretary and chair from my parents, who have recently moved to town.

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I bought some blue and white knobs and two yards of bird fabric at Hobby Lobby (since a certain sometimes-grubby puppy likes to sit nearby).

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The desk as been in front of the window the last year or two, and while I loved being able to look outside, it could get pretty toasty in the summer and rather chilly in the winter. See the little lamp I’ve hooked onto the desk? It’s the one from my office closet days and makes things feel extra cozy in a way the overhead light just can’t.

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Here’s a glimpse from the doorway.

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And one when standing in front of the window.

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Here’s the secretary all prettified.

Sara Zarr in her podcast talks about being “at home in your work”, an idea I really love. Having a welcoming space like this helps me find my way into the writing and all the other tasks that come with the writing life.

How does your work space influence your work?

 

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Filed Under: home, the writing life

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Varadan says

    July 10, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Your office is a lot prettier – and bigger – than mine. I have a desk, a bookshelf, and a filing cabinet in a corner space by a window in our bedroom. It works, though. I have a second desk in my husband’s office, but the nook is where I get most of my writing done.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      July 10, 2015 at 2:09 pm

      If it works, it works, I say. I know how fortunate I am to have an entire room to myself!

      Reply
  2. Kerry says

    July 10, 2015 at 11:36 am

    What a lovely workspace. I love the blue bookshelf and that lovely little chest by the door.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      July 10, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you! The bookshelf paint is called La Fonda, after the Santa Fe hotel. I knew I wanted a turquoise bookcase, and this very New Mexican color felt like the perfect fit. The blue and white chest was my mother’s when she was a girl. My grandmother painted it. The three of us share the middle name Starr, so it feels fitting that it’s mine now.

      Reply
  3. Valerie Geary says

    July 10, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    It looks so cute!! Great job! The timing of this post is perfect…I’m redoing my office this weekend! We’re reshuffling things, getting rid of an old desk, painting and bringing in a new one, decluttering, minimizing. I’m excited to make it a more pleasant and comfortable space. Hoping it will energize me into getting back to work! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      July 10, 2015 at 4:56 pm

      Love it! When my mom came to see the results she asked if I’d gotten rid of anything. Somehow adding two new things and moving others around made things fit even better.

      I’ve had some decent writing sessions with the new set up, too.

      Pictures, please!

      Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    July 11, 2015 at 1:14 pm

    My workspace is in the corner of our family room. My desk is always messy, and I don’t always feel like it’s a space just for me, kind of like the rest of the house! So I do most of my writing (when I’m not chatting with my co-author) somewhere else. My “office” moves around a lot!

    I love that blue bookcase in your writing space. What a beauty!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      July 11, 2015 at 4:24 pm

      Sometimes my office is the van during soccer practice…or even in the library parking lot!

      Reply
  5. Kimberley Griffiths Little says

    July 11, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    Your homey writing room is lovely and cozy! I know you’ll write AMAZING books there – just like you have in the past! xoxo

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      July 11, 2015 at 4:25 pm

      I want an inside tour of your place, Miss Kim.

      Reply
  6. Michele says

    July 12, 2015 at 8:37 am

    I’m inspired, Caroline. Time to give my little corner some TLC! Thanks for new links, as well!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      July 13, 2015 at 7:20 am

      Pictures, please.

      Reply
  7. Linda says

    July 12, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    Lovely post. Lovely work space. Thanks for being an inspiration. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      July 13, 2015 at 7:20 am

      xo

      Reply

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