The Office Day 8: A Plan Would Be Good
Feb212013
So after the plague and the blizzard and the major surgery on my dog and the decoupaged door in pink, it’s time to get serious about the office. It’s time to figure out what I need in there besides a pink door, it’s time to make a PLAN.
First of all, I have to recognize that I don’t do file cabinets. Even if I set them up, if I file something it’s gone forever because I never open the cabinet again, and if I don’t file something, it’s gone forever because I lose it in the mess. Also I hate filing cabinets. Basically, I need to see my work there in front of me or I’ll forget where I put it and that it exists, so my solution is clipboards. I love clipboards. Really, they’re just giant binder clips, and we all know how I feel about binder clips.
So from now on I’m going to sort all my Work In Progress papers on clipboards, of which I have many, all in bright colors, and of which I just made two more from $3 Walmart clear clip boards using the duvet fabric. My god, there’s miles of that fabric. I hung the clipboards on the narrow side walls which aren’t any good for anything else anyway.
Then there are my tools: pens, pencils, scissors, markers, all sitting in a plastic organizer on my very small desk. I need to get that stuff off my work space, but it has to be close at hand. Then the other day I was in a discount store and saw this beat-up plant hanger thingy on clearance, and I had a Eureka moment: hang it on the wall, put glasses in the metal circles, and fill the glasses with all my tools, which would be at hand but not on the desk. Except that didn’t really work, so I took the whole thing apart and just used the metal hangers: one was perfect for the door and the other for the space under the light.
I added one shelf over the door to make the entry look more impressive and to hold my storage boxes (camera equipment, collage tools and supplies, etc.) and I mod podged a switch plate for when my contractor gets around to fixing that weird switch layout, and now I have a filing and storage wall with a door to the garage and some corkboard, too. Bonus: I found my tax stuff in the mess on the desk. It’s on a clipboard now.
Now all I have to do is the same thing on the other side with the opening to the kitchen, and the office is half finished. Okay, the other two walls are a lot more complicated but still, four walls, one mostly done. I’m very proud.
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50 Comments to 'The Office Day 8: A Plan Would Be Good'
On February 21, 2013 at 7:38 pm Rozasharn said...
Wow. That is an impressive transformation.
On February 21, 2013 at 7:54 pm Jinx said...
This is exactly why, when I’m feeling sniffly from a cold or otherwise find myself percolating at way below normal, I always find myself re-reading the middle part of the Cinderella Deal, where the heroine starts to do a major low-budget redecoration of a whole house, all by herself. I’m really enjoying this.
On February 21, 2013 at 8:00 pm Rox said...
What a great idea about the clip boards. I have the same trouble with filing cabinets. They’re way too linear. I can never figure out where to file something, and then where I put it so that I can find it again, if I even remember that I had it to begin with. It’s relatively easy to store objects visually, but papers are always difficult. Says the woman who got obsessed with genealogy three years ago. Oy.
On February 21, 2013 at 8:13 pm Skye said...
Oh I love it! It looks very cheerful and very functional. I would love to work in an office with features like those. I hope it gets the Girls going and makes them (and you) very, very happy. I used to buy tons of Cottage Style and DIY magazines just to see projects like this.
On February 21, 2013 at 8:20 pm nightsmusic said...
You should be proud! It’s looking awesome. And it doesn’t have to be done over night so this has been fun watching the work in progress. Not that I’d wish the flu on anyone, but you know what I mean.
On February 21, 2013 at 8:39 pm Kelly S said...
It’s GORGEOUS!
On February 21, 2013 at 9:03 pm Cathy M said...
I love the color and energy of what you have done with your office. Something else you might consider are wall pockets if you have more papers or bulky items that don’t work well on the clipboards.
I think you have made a great deal of progress, considering all you’ve had to contend with during and since the move. Thanks for sharing the process with us.
On February 21, 2013 at 9:19 pm Mary Stella said...
Clipboards! That’s genius. I only like to file stuff that I don’t have to see again. Like is too strong a word. I tolerate filing stuff that I don’t have to see again. I have a humongous stack of papers in my office mess right now. It’s time to do my semi-annual sorting as I prep for doing taxes. I’m getting clipboards so I can organize the crap better. Thanks for the great idea.
Love how the office is progressing!
On February 21, 2013 at 9:56 pm Deborah Blake said...
I love the way it looks! And I love that you are figuring out how to best work with the realities of how YOU need an office to function. Fab!
I just finished (okay, partially finished, there’s still a stack left, dammit) filing a bunch of papers in the new double-size file cabinet that is supposed to keep the mess to a minimum. The problem is, I tend to throw things into a stack which grows until it teeters over and becomes two stacks, and at the end of the year, I file it all at once. I’m trying to train myself to file things more regularly, but it’s only February, and I suspect the new system will be breaking down by March.
On February 21, 2013 at 10:41 pm Caryn said...
That looks happy. Looks positively fruitful.
On February 21, 2013 at 10:46 pm Robin S. said...
It looks great. I love the clipboard idea but I don’t have enough wall space for all my crap. *sigh*
And if you have time, why do you have your computer opposite the window? Doesn’t it make for nasty glare? Or are you going to use curtains to take care of that? Just curious. (I’m a window freak. I would have mostly glass walls if the heating bills wouldn’t be through the roof. I couldn’t face a wall like that while I work.)
On February 21, 2013 at 11:11 pm Jenny said...
Thermal blinds. It’s cold in there.
I always thought I’d want a window behind my computer until I had one overlooking the Ohio River. Gorgeous, but not conducive to work. A giant bulletin board with notes and pictures, however, is.
On February 22, 2013 at 2:54 pm Robin S. said...
Huh. Looking out through the trees here helps me relax and focus. But then I’m not writing books. Just -found- ‘Tell Me Lies’ in a box I was sorting. Haven’t read it in years. You kept me up way too late, damn you!
On February 21, 2013 at 11:51 pm Judy, Judy, Judy said...
I share your love for clipboards. And I’ve passed that down to my gkids – hehehe!
Your space is looking festive and yet functional.
I can tend to be picky about where things are that I know I will need when I’m working.
You should be proud. All I did was move my bed to a different wall and it seemed major.
On February 22, 2013 at 9:14 am toni said...
The one thing I really miss about my office at the house was that I had two walls which were covered with a GIANT write/erase magnet boards. I had magnets attached to clipboards for big things, and then big magnets for a lot of other stuff (all on one 4 x 8 board), and on the other one, I had the book’s timeline (screenwriting structure) diagrammed out, with subplots. I have not been able to have those in this NOLA apt we’re in while we work on the building, and the irony–although my office will actually be slightly bigger in the building, with an interesting view, I will have two walls of glass windows–one looking into the bedroom, one looking down over the living room–and one wall that is original brick (100 yrs old) and one wall of cabinets. No place to put either write/erase board. I keep rearranging, trying to figure out how to work them in there, but so far, nada. (They are very nice boards, and Carl built really nice frames for them. They were so heavy, he built easels for me–massive things.) I’m trying to use Curio for the same effect, but there’s something really satisfying about writing on those boards that I miss.
I love your mod-poding the door. That is so fun and bright and cheerful and even though I’m not a pink person, either, I love it. My g-kid, however, would go nuts with happiness over something like that, so now I know what I’m going to do for her room.
On February 22, 2013 at 11:08 am Micki said...
Is there any way you could put them on hanging ropes (kind of like Japanese indoor laundry racks) so you could pull them down when you need them, but push them up toward the ceiling when you don’t? http://image.ec21.com/image/gsbcdydeco/oimg_GC00509391_CA00509689/Automatic_Laundry_Drying_Rack.jpg (But they slide parallel to the ceiling when you push them up . . . .)
I’ve also seen some very clever whiteboards that slide past each other over the closet door.
On February 22, 2013 at 4:37 pm Leigh said...
I would be ashamed to take a picture of my desk. I have a 2 foot pile of unfiled ‘pending’ stuff on one end, and a 10 inch layered mess of UFOs* on the other. I mean good. I end up messy.
*Unread, Forgotten and (likely) Obsolete papers.
On February 22, 2013 at 4:50 pm toni said...
hmmm. ya know… that might work. I’ll have to sic my husband on that one though, since they’re so heavy. Thank you!
On February 24, 2013 at 2:35 pm Alis said...
OMG I want this. My house is on the small size for American houses and it would be SO nice to be able to put this over the washer/dryer area. Thanks so much for the link.
On March 1, 2013 at 8:36 am German Chocolate Betty said...
In Germany a lot of folks who live in apartments in old buildings with high ceilings (10-12 ft high) make these themselves. A couple I know has also done this for hanging stuff (shirts, skirts, etc.) because they were running out of storage room. The stuff is out of the way on the ceiling, and they lower the bars/racks when they need stuff and hoick it back up when done!
On February 22, 2013 at 6:29 pm Jenny said...
I was thinking putting a quilt on the back, either a real one or just cutting out the pattern pieces and modpodging it on (you can use white glue, too, I think, but I like the podge) and then you’d be looking through the glass walls at a quilt/art work instead of the back of white board. Also, more privacy.
On February 23, 2013 at 11:11 pm Georgia said...
We use dry-erase markers straight on our big front windows. That way we get the view and the workspace, and they clean off really easily. You couldn’t use magnets on them, but at least you could still write on the walls.
On February 22, 2013 at 9:23 am German Chocolate Betty said...
This is sooooo fabulous! I love it all!
On February 22, 2013 at 9:59 am Terri Osburn said...
You should be proud. These are the things that amaze me. You’re like the queen of thinking outside the box. Or outside the file cabinet. This weekend is all about organizing and creating an office area for me. (ARCs already arrived and I have no place to put them!) I’m going to look around and ask “What would Crusie do?”
In fact, I might just apply that question to everything.
On February 22, 2013 at 11:09 am Micki said...
Just beautiful! It looks like it’ll be a very cheerful office!
On February 22, 2013 at 11:50 am Diann said...
That is beautiful! Doesn’t it feel good to have a plan (and ModPodge)?
On February 22, 2013 at 1:38 pm inkgrrl said...
OMG you are a GEEEENIUS. I love it, and I’m so not a pink person either. Can you come organize my office for me?
On February 22, 2013 at 2:00 pm Diane said...
Way to go with using the door and the vertical space!
Love the colors, too!
On February 22, 2013 at 3:22 pm rowan twosisters said...
i LOOOOVE clipboards! Always playing around with them in a basket, hanging on the wall, everywhere!
On February 22, 2013 at 3:48 pm Trudy said...
I am so loving your transformation updates: I LOVE this wall! I know you’ve been dealing with your share of ill, but I sort of see all this as you taking care of yourself first, creating a room of your own in this new place. So ‘selffull’ of you to do.
On February 22, 2013 at 4:06 pm Pam/Ella said...
I begin to feel sad about how ugly my office is . . .
But we’re doing a major renovation in a few years and then I can go crazy with it then. I’m thinking dark purples and yellows because I saw a beautiful picture of a library in those colors, and lots of space to hang my collages, because I took the collage idea and ran with it and I have seven for my WIP and I love them.
Also, I think I may have to learn to mod podge.
On February 22, 2013 at 4:08 pm Kate Frishman said...
What a gorgeous wall! I’m so not a pink person, but you’re right, the bright colors are fantastic.
I am so with you on the file cabinets. Once the drawer closes, my brain shuts down with it. I may have to give the clipboard idea a try.
Now what to do about my desk, which has a closing front flap-thingy that works kind of like the file cabinet…
On February 22, 2013 at 5:10 pm Sure Thing said...
A filing system that doesn’t use files!
I think I need to try one like that. I have have one – it’s called a pile, not a file. Then I have stuffed filed in files that are piled on the floor.
Worst bit – it is al deceptively neat. I envy you your progress. And congratulate you on it.
On February 22, 2013 at 7:01 pm KellyR said...
That looks amazing. I’m not that into pink, but I tried to visualize it in other color and nothing else works nearly so well.
On February 22, 2013 at 7:15 pm Robena Grant said...
I’ve been using clipboards for a while now and even have them color-coordinated for different purposes. One is for research for the WIP, one for conferences or classes I’m taking/going to. One for must do this month. One for promo. One for Volunteer position at my chapter. I stand them behind and to the left of my computer screen in a black plastic five space letter-holder thing I bought for a few bucks at Walmart. Works beautifully for me. The rest goes into one of the two filing cabinets but you’re right, those papers get looked at once a year if they’re lucky.
I’m adoring your cheerful office. If I didn’t have galleys to proof I’d be tempted to rearrange my own today, and prettify it…maybe with yellow and a touch of coral.
On February 22, 2013 at 11:01 pm KimCz said...
Wow, it looks great. I love the shelf over the door and the clipboards. I am a big fan of clipboards, used them all through college. Last year, I started a re-haul on my desk, I decorated plain cardboard magazine files to match my desk. I think I will add some decorated clipboards this year. I can’t wait to see the next step.
On February 22, 2013 at 11:24 pm Louise said...
Fantastic! It’s starting to take shape nicely.
On February 23, 2013 at 12:28 am eva said...
Clear clipboards work, I have 16 in a block of 4×4 above my desk, they hang on clear fishing line from a picture rail – there is enough space between the wall & the desk to reach them easily – it’s a constantly changing feature wall of work.
Thanks for sharing your process Jenny and all the best.
On February 23, 2013 at 5:34 pm Chelle said...
It’s BEA-U-TI-FUL! But, all I could think was “Why on earth did she put those pretty boxes above the door? She’ll never remember use them if they’re way up there.” Then it occurred to me, oh yeah, you’re not five foot nothing. LOLOL the perils of height! I love the pink boxes, but there would be a thriving dust bunny colony up there before I would remember to Look UP when I cleaned! (And let’s be honest, I would find the dust bunny colony when it fell on my head.)
Glad you’re loving the new place
On February 24, 2013 at 2:10 am Jenny said...
5’9″. I can reach them without a step stool.
But that’s also long term storage, as in, not every day.
On February 24, 2013 at 1:12 pm katyL said...
Like the way the shelf frames things, too. And the storage is good. Also, since the door is an access point to the house, it’s a great option if you ever want to rig up a low-tech burglar alarm & stick cans up there with a string attaching them to the doorknob. The cans, of course, could be decorated to match the rest of the decor. No reason a burglar alarm can’t have a feminine touch.
But that’s the great thing about shelves over doors, they can be so multi-purpose;)
On February 24, 2013 at 10:53 am Sheila Larkin said...
I have a severe case of office envy right now. My feet are twitching to go buy Mod Podge. God! What have you done to me?
On February 24, 2013 at 11:59 am Joane said...
I don’t know how you can find anything in such a little place with a lot of things, and all that pink!
OMG I couldn’t work a day in such a crowded room.
Have you tried the ‘Home Office furniture’ part in IKEA’s catalogue?
On February 24, 2013 at 12:02 pm Cindy said...
It’s good to see you settling in and getting ready to work! And the space is cute. Love the clipboard idea.
On February 24, 2013 at 12:03 pm Cindy said...
Well, I know you’re working. By “work” I meant “write”
On February 24, 2013 at 2:49 pm Rouan said...
I have been enjoying seeing the progress as your office takes shape. I can’t wait to see the end result.
On February 24, 2013 at 5:52 pm Janette said...
The wall and door look great..the clipboards and hanging pen etc gadget is a great idean!
On February 25, 2013 at 1:50 pm Jill said...
Like ! Art teacher creativity
On February 25, 2013 at 5:30 pm Lou said...
Jenny – I can see you so clearly in all that you have done with your office. When you are finished, I think you will love that space!!
On March 1, 2013 at 9:55 am Diane said...
I can’t remember where I read that you are waiting to put final flooring into a room in your home. Here’s an amazing stencil pattern that you might be able to do for fairly little money over plain plywood sub-flooring. Just seal it up after you are done to prevent moisture damage:
http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/2009/01/royal-design-studio-lace-and-a-tale-of-skylars-room.html