Many people have requested a few photos of my old office in the corner of the den (that’s what we call our informal living room) so I’m here with the goods. Before we created our office/guest room/playroom this small “corner office” was where I worked full time. Here’s what it looked like back then with the old printer and a few file boxes along with my trusty laptop:
We decided to keep the desk around as a place for letter writing and web surfing during the weekends (when we don’t want to be holed up in the office). We also think that eventually it’ll become a great place for Clara to draw and do homework while we cook/hang out nearby since it’s part of the living area. Here’s what it looks like now:
It doesn’t really look that different from my old full time office of yore, other than the fact that we didn’t need the phone or the printer out in the den anymore (since we upgraded to a wireless printer in our new home office). And a lot of the boxes and other office-y stuff could also be removed.
Oh and we switched out our homemade botanical leaf print – just for fun. I’ve always had a thing for the coral leaf that’s in there now, although the palm one was fun while it lasted.
Oh and the old desk lamp moved into the office and our beloved gourd lamp took its place (it used to live on the side table back when the office was a full time guest room). You know we’re all about working with what we have and moving things around from room to room so it was a fast little switcheroo.
Sure it’s huge, but we love the oversized silhouette, especially because it creates some nice balance in the den since it’s the same height as the floor lamp with a similarly shaped drum shade across the room. And isn’t it amazing how much warmer it makes that corner feel thanks to the soft creamy light that it casts? We love turning it on at night and watching TV with it glowing in the corner. It’s also worth noting that all the after photos were taken with our new camera so that might also add to the ambiance that we’re finally able to capture.
So that’s what became of our small full-time office-turned-part-time-casual desk. Do you guys have a desk in a living area that you use for writing cards, laptop surfing, kid art/homework, or anything else? Do tell.
And while I’m at it I’ll share a personal little morsel about that gold & white notebook in the foreground above. That’s actually a sweet little leather bound notebook that I scored on clearance from Anthropologie. For the last two years I’ve been using it as a gratitude journal. I know it sounds corny, but jotting down a few things that I’m thankful for every day really helps me remember to appreciate all of the little (and big) things that make me smile- so I don’t take anything for granted. I highly recommend it! Anyone else out there with a gratitude journal? I never could stick to keeping a diary, but listing a few things that make me happy each day is so much easier.
Psst- Wanna see the rest of the den? Click here for an update about our new rug.
Jaya says
Hi S&J, Completely off-topic but are you going to watch the new season of Dexter? I remember reading somewhere you liked it and we can’t wait to see it to-night!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jaya,
We totally can’t wait for the next season of Dexter… but we don’t get Showtime so we’ll be waiting for it to show up on DVD in a few months (so we can watch it on Netflix). So don’t give anything away! :)
-John
Mary says
I’ve often kept a gratitude journal – like you I find it helps to stay focused on the many wonderful things in our daily lives which otherwise we might overlook. Oprah Winfrey, in her show years ago, suggested we keep such a journal. It’s a great way to help us stay positive!
Emily @ The Happy Home says
that is such a glamorous desk! mine feels a little cramped at the moment, but i think it’s in the midst of a major overhaul. because all of our bedroom furniture is espresso-colored wood, i got my desk to match, but i think it’s a skotch dark. any tips for lightening it up?
YoungHouseLove says
Other than sanding and restaining we’re not sure. We don’t really mind when wood tones don’t match perfectly though, so we would just suggest accessorizing it and adding a few lighter objects for balance. Should look awesome! Good luck.
xo,
s
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
I like that you kept your old desk in that corner. An extra writing surface always comes in handy.
Jaya says
We don’t have showtime either and no way I am not going to give anything away :) it came out on DVD today!!
Sharon says
I’m a big fan of gratitude journals, and a huge fan of your site!
Unfortunately I live far away from all your thrifty sources (I’m in New Zealand), so I have to improvise and seek out my own..
One of my favourite stores has a gratitude journal that I think you would love, check out the site:
http://www.kikki-k.com/shop/product/gratitude-book/
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Thanks so much for the link!
xo,
s
Melody says
Sherry,
I love the idea of an appreciation journal. It’s so easy to focus on the negative things in life. Thanks for the inspiration (both from your home and your life).
Claire says
I love how seamlessly this space seems to blend in with the rest of your home. Before it blended nicely but it was definitely pretty functional looking as compared to the new rendition. I love the warm glow of that lamp and the collection of items you have on and around the desk. Funny thing- I had never really noticed your chair before! I was so distracted by everything else on the desk because I found it interesting how you arranged your work space. When I saw the new pictures I thought “Wow! Lovely new chair!” Just goes to show that a reduction in the items on the desk and a few switcheroos can really highlight something you’ve had all along.
Anna, Sydney says
I was one of the nosey people asking about your old desk some time back and you indeed said this post was coming (nice work btw, desk looks cosey). I can’t get over how long ahead you plan your posts! Dare (may?) I ask how long ahead you have your blog posts planned for?
And as always, I can’t believe how nosey we (read: me) are and how you guys keep sharing with us. Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Anna,
Good question! Sometimes we’re scrambling to write posts the night before we publish them and other times we have a back-up of about two weeks (we stockpiled even more before Clara’s birth) so it really varies! When it comes to updated photos like this one of our desk or pictures of major room makeover projects (like our bathroom, office, or nursery redos) we usually write them a few days in advance and try to share one or two of those meaty home focused posts every week. But we could have them planned for a long while before we actually find the time to tackle the post writing part of the project. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
AnnabelVita says
I have a desk nook in the bedroom for writing cards and a little bit of home working. I love that you now have a work desk and a more casual desk. The space looks great!
Annabel
Kari says
I love that you left the space functional!! BUT..the lamp throws me off. I feel like if I were actually sitting at the desk the lamp shade would be dangerously close to whacking me in the noggin. I suppose that could be remedied by moving the ottoman under the desk to the other side, but that would throw off the balance. So, please just don’t hit your noggins on the lampshade!!
YoungHouseLove says
Not to worry! The lamp is definitely large and in charge, but it has a nice long neck so the shade is held very high in the back corner of the desk) so we’d have to lean very far into the desk, stretch towards the back corner, and raise our bums about a foot off of the seat to reach it with our heads. In other words we’d really have to try to hit our noggins!
xo,
s
hi-d says
Your place always looks so tidy and put together…looks beautiful! I love the whole idea behind a gratitude journal. It’s not corny at all! I need to be better at journaling…I sometimes use it as a time of praying to the Lord as well. There’s something about getting stuff down on paper and being able to look back at it later… :)
Daniela says
I love the canister you keep your pencils in! Your house is always so put together!
If you ever get a moment, I would be honored if you would check out my blog: http://chefuality.blogspot.com
I post cooking videos (or I should say webisodes.) I even have co-star in one, my 4 year old daughter Romy. We made sinful double chocolate chip cookies! You guys have a future sous-chef in your house too : )
YoungHouseLove says
Great videos, Daniela – and your kitchen looks awesome too. Thanks for sharing the link!
-John
Katie says
I’m inspired! Now looking for: adorable gratitude journal, what a great idea! Something I’m grateful for today: the weekend and spending time with friends. Thanks for the idea =)
candace @ thecandace.com says
Your little corner office is adorable – I love that you switch things up. That’s one thing I need to work on – using what I have to create a whole new look!
Angela says
Where did you get the lamp/lamp shade on your desk? Love it! Second question (not really related to the first) – in your searches have you found any contemporary touch lamps? I thought that would be nice in the bedroom but all the touch lamps I found were a bit, umm, gawdy. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Angela,
It’s from Target (shade and lamp). As for the touch lamp question, nothing comes to mind. We’d just suggest googling around and maybe stopping into some local lighting stores and outlets. Happy hunting!
xo,
s
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Angela,
That lamp is from Target and you can read more about it here: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/01/oh-my-gourd/
As for contemporary touch lamps, I can’t say we’ve come across any. Have you tried sites like Lamps Plus?
-John
Michelle Gourley says
J and S,
Hehe, your responses to Angela’s lamp question above (just minutes apart, 11:59 and 12:01) have me giggling! Now that both of you are blogging (and parenting!) full-time there’s twice as much YHL aid to all us newby DIYers! :o)
How on earth do you keep up with all the posts on this site and your FB fan page? Do you anticipate soliciting some part-time help down the road, or do you think you can keep your blog operation + magazine features managable between the two of you?
However you manage it all, keep up the good work!
Michelle
YoungHouseLove says
Oh geez, look at us go. Haha. That is too funny! We’re definitely doing our best to balance it all, and we just announced this afternoon that we’ll sadly be closing our print & t-shirt shop to buuy us a bit more time to take on projects and write posts. Here’s hoping we can make it work because we’re no good at delegating- we like to be the ones in there getting our hands dirty!
xo,
s
Julie says
I love the gratitude journal! It’s very similar to something I keep that I call my “love book”. It’s a tiny book I keep in my purse, and I write down anytime my husband makes me feel loved. Like for example, I write down what we did on our weekly date nights. I also write down anytime he calls or texts me and says something that is extra special. Those are just things I do not want to forget!
YoungHouseLove says
Now THAT’S cute! Maybe I’ll write down love-related John things every Friday to turn my gratitude journal into a gratitude/love journal! You’re definitely right about not wanting to forget those moments.
xo,
s
Amy @ Journey Mum says
I love the gratitude journal concept. My Mum had my sister and I keep one years ago after she read of the idea in Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach (which is incidentally now one of my favorite books as an adult and mother). I’m about to start keeping one again just as soon as I can find the notebook I mean to use!
I have a big L shaped desk, but since having kids I can’t use it anymore because I’m almost always holding one kid or the other, or having to get up constantly. Now I have a laptop on a little tv tray table next to the couch and spend most of my time typing one-handed while nursing. :)
amy says
I kept a gratitude journal for years- I had a rule to write 3 things a day. I found that on my worst days I would write the most!
Which baby book are you keeping Clare’s milestones in? We used a modern version of a Peter Rabbit baby book. I’ve enjoyed it…but now need one for year 2…
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?r=1&isbn=9780723262848&cm_mmc=Google%20Product%20Search-_-Q000000630-_-Peter%20Rabbit%20Baby%20Book-_-9780723262848
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
We actually made one for her. Here’s that link for you: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/05/on-your-mark-get-set/
And here’s a follow up post where we shared the doc for anyone else who wanted to DIY one: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/06/something-free-five-lifesavers/
xo,
s
Carolyn says
I love the idea of a gratitude journal. Always good to remember the positives (however small they are).
Clare says
Hello there! I’m a long time reader, but this is my first time to comment. Just wanted to add my voice to the gratitude loving crew. I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for the past few months and have noticed a big surge in my positivity, productivity and general happiness. I really recommend it. It’s such a simple activity, but so so effective too. Everyone should have a gratitude journal.
heather s. says
I was wondering what you did with that awesome Target lamp. It looks great in its new home!
Michelle says
I’m wondering if you have any organizers or dividers in the drawers of the West Elm desk? We have the same desk and I’m on the search for something that will function well in those drawers. I figure if you’ve already found a solution, why reinvent the wheel… Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
We actually don’t have any organizers or dividers in there- we just have pencils and pads in one side and stationery and envelopes on the other side with a roll of stamps. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Denaye says
I was hoping you guys have some suggestions on how to disguise/ hide or even just make look better my dvd player, cable box and VCR(I know it is outdated to have a VCR but my daughter has alot of hand me down disney VHS movies). Anyway, my TV is mounted on the wall above my electric fireplace and my cable box, dvd player and VCR are sitting on the fireplace. Since they need to ventilate the cable box is on one side and the dvd player on the other with the VHS on top(neither get used too much). They take up the whole mantel and I was hoping to find some sort of solution. I considered stacking them all with one of those wire kitchen shelf things but I decided that doesn’t really seem much better than it is now. Any ideas?
Thanks
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Denaye,
They actually sell wall mountable boxes for those components that are ventilated but very crisp and elegant looking. And if you wanted to rest the box on the mantel instead of mounting it on the wall that would probably work too. Just check out places like Best Buy and even Home Depot or Target to try to hunt one down. Good luck!
xo,
s