This was the view from my kitchen table where I worked for years.
I’m excited. I’m getting my own writing room. I haven’t had my own space since before kids. I used to have our guest room all to myself, when we moved into our Palm Springs home 28 years ago, we called it “The Computer Room.” I had a Mac computer, which was pretty rare back in 1992.
Then two babies later, the Computer Room evolved to other uses. I began working at the kitchen table (not a hardship with gorgeous views) with the advent of a laptop. I worked in the kids’ rooms, too. Also, our master bedroom. But I didn’t have my own space.
At our new Arizona home, there is a formal dining room. The sellers asked if we wanted to buy their dining room furniture which was beyond gorgeous. I was tempted, but something in the back of my head said “no.”
It struck me that I could use the formal dining room as my “formal writing room!” I now have my own space. I could work in the spare bedroom, but what happens when the kids or guests are here? It’s not really my space anymore than my office in Palm Springs, which was really my son’s bedroom.
I’ve talked on the phone with a couple friends from CA and one is supportive and the other is appalled. What am I going to do when I have a houseful for Christmas dinner? Well, we have lots of informal seating inside and outside. We aren’t big entertainers and when the once every few year Christmas dinner occurs, it will be informal — just like it was in Palm Springs. Isn’t it better to use the room daily, rather than once every few years?
We went consignment shopping this week and I found my writing desk, which I’ve always dreamed of, my chair and a bookcase. I’m putting it all together and I can’t wait to work in my own space.
My new space to write converted from a formal dining room. Today, I’m unpacking all my books and filling bookcases.
Do you find a formal dining room a practical space? If yes, you probably use it and do entertain? What about your space to work? Is it all your own or is it a multi-purpose area?
Yay to writing space. Boo to formal dining room. You are going to write every day. You can rent a table for holiday dinners and it will be fine. Your everyday is your life. Unless you plan on formal dinners twice a week, go for the writing room!!
We’ll be lucky to have formal dinners once every two years! I’m excited to create my own space!
💗💗💗
I have space for a formal dining room but we never bought the furniture because i dont entertain guests formally and whenever a friend or in laws come over, they sit in the living room. My 5 year old has a play room besides his bedroom with a slide and trampoline and basketball ramp. I’m planning to turn it into my reading nook and writing space when he is too old to play in it. It’s supposed to be another bedroom but i only have 1 kid so
I feel the same way about formal dining rooms. Your son is lucky to have a playroom. Some day that will be your space. Good plan.
Thanks. I hope so… Someday
For now i use the desk in my 5 year olds room (lucky him he has a desk but my bedroom doesn’t have space for a desk) and everytime he throws a tantrum he says “get your stuff out of my room”
That is funny! I worked at my son’s desk this past year. Fortunately, he is in his 20’s and not living at home.