Finding a New Writing Space in Our Joyful Cottage



Have I ever mentioned that we live in a small home? A very small home? I once thought we lived in a 620 sq ft home, but recently I found out it's actually 640 sq ft. So now we live in a bigger small home. But I digress.  

The photo above shows a portion of our living room. See that cute little blue chest under the window? I love that piece. Some day I'll share the story of how it came to be mine.




Right now the chest is holding a plethora of DVD's and old VHS tapes that we no longer watch since we signed up for Netflix. (Which I personally feel is an invention right up there with the microwave. . .I mean, come on, a bazillion movies to watch at the tip of your fingers for only $7.99 a month? Ingenious.)

When we first moved into our cottage almost 2 years ago, I had a writing area in the south side of the living room.



Notice the mish-mash of wood finishes in this photo? Ugh. But I knew it was temporary, because my wonderful husband planned on moving everything out.




And creating a more pleasing and useable space.


The last phase of our cottage remodel. We moved the door from the east wall to the south wall and installed all new windows. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. But I lost my writing space. I've been chewing on this one for months now. It's not like we have a spare bedroom or a basement I could use. Where was I going to find a space to work without pulling an RV into our driveway? 

And then I looked at the blue chest over by the charming red stove, and the great view, from the window, of our neighbor's horse corral and Lumpy Ridge in the distance.



On a whim I cleared the top and set up my laptop and larger monitor. 

So far so good. Everything fits. Just might work. 

I pulled out the top drawer and moved some things around and created a mock surface for my keyboard and mouse.


I pulled up a chair while holding my breath (which I wouldn't recommend you try). I sat down. 

Right height. My legs fit under the drawer. 

I typed a few lines. 

Yes. It will work. Eureka!

So now all I have to do is convert that top drawer to a pull out work surface and my beloved blue chest will live on with new purpose. (I can tell she's as excited as I am.)

To be continued. . .

Linking up with Friendship Friday

24 comments

  1. Very nice and looking comfy. I really like the blue chest becoming your work space . . . You make 640 sq ft work perfectly. The windows have really opened the space.

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    1. Thanks for the nice comments, Lynne. There's always something to change or rearrange to make a small house like this work for us. But we love it.

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  2. Nancy what an ingenious idea. Love it,and your new look room. x

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    1. What's that saying, Jeanetteann? "Necessity is the mother of invention?" :) Also, I could replace the blue chest with a desk, but I just love that little piece too much to let it go.

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  3. Hi Nancy, I love the way you all have re-decorated your 640 square feet of heaven. Since Dennis is so handy, I saw this item on retrofitting an old dresser that I am certain he could do with no trouble. I esp. love the fact that you are now closer to the buck stove - a view and warm tootsies! Keep on writing! xoxo, Hope http://pinterest.com/pin/496733033869949917/

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    1. Thanks for sharing that link, Hope. Very inspiring. I love our little stove and the coziness it adds to our space.

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  4. p.s. I have pirated Leslie's account to write this :)

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    1. I kind of guessed that. ;) Give her my love.

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  5. It looks very cozy and comfortable!

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    1. Thanks, Anne. That is one of the best compliments I could receive. :)

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  7. Your cottage looks so cozy! Your blue chest looks like it will make a great writing space. Glad you have a new writing place.

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    1. Thanks, Barb. Now all I need is the time to work on this project. Too often my head comes up with ideas that my calendar struggles to accommodate. ;)

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  8. First of all, I really like the remodel pictures. Those windows and doors give such great light and it doesn't look like a small room because it's not crowded with stuff, just the right things and those two marvelous chairs to sit in and enjoy it all. Is this where you sit to enjoy all the movies? Your idea of using that lovely blue chest with the handsome hardware as a desk is inspired! Nice to be able to sit and write and look out the window.

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    1. I appreciate your nice comments, Dewena. Yes, we watch movies from those two chairs. We also have our morning coffee there. My chair is the one in the corner by the windows. I have a view of Dennis' studio and the mountain behind it. I'm surprised he hasn't tried to dethrone me. LOL.

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  9. Hi Nancy
    A few weeks ago, I discovered your blog and was thrilled. Now I enjoy to see how do you life. It looks very cosy and you had such a good idea for your new writing space. I'm looking forward to read more from you.
    Regards from Switzerland
    Moni

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    1. Moni, it's so nice to meet you. I'm so pleased you found my blog and that you took the time to leave such a sweet comment. It's wonderful to make friends around the world. I'm on my way to your blog right now. God bless you. :)

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  10. Oh my goodness...I didn't think anyone lived in a smaller house/cottage than us. And you have it done so cute! I have too many hobbies...but thinking I would like to get back to decluttering sometime soon. Think I am going to like your blogs.

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    1. Rose, I'll be sharing more about my downsizing experience. There is still a lot of things I want and need to do to make our cottage the home I dream of. Hope you will, indeed, come back for a visit. Cheers. :)

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  11. You have a lovely place, and your views are wonderful! Your new writing desk is nothing less than ingenious. Bravo!

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    1. Thank you, Jacqueline. I am a huge fan of your blog. One of the best I've seen.

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  12. Great writing space Nancy. It's as pretty as it is functional. We have a large home and I do love it, but you just don't have the coziness that a small home has. I sometimes miss that!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks, Jann. I do like the coziness, but I'm still adjusting to minimum storage (i.e. where do I put this bulk pack of paper towels?). Thanks for stopping by. Happy Valentine's Day!

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