After eighteen wonderful years of working from home I have finally decided to take the plunge and rent a space in town that will serve as my craft studio and office. Working from home has been a blessing but comes with its own challenges, one of those being that it can be difficult to “come home” from work because it’s always there, staring you in the face. This is a super exciting move for me and I can’t wait to share all the details with you!
This all happened pretty quickly, so I’m considering the whole thing fate. You may have seen my announcement last week on Facebook here. Or if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a few posts about it too. A couple weeks ago I was talking to a good friend of mine on the phone. She was talking about what she had done on her day off. That’s when I told her how much I envied her for having a job outside the home. After high school I worked in Corporate America for several years in the finance and accounting fields. I quit to raise my kids in September of 1997 and got on the Internet just a couple months later. I love the freedom of working for myself and have worked hard to get where I am now. I wouldn’t give that up for the world. Plus I had the opportunity to be here while my kids grew up, and I’m so very thankful for that. But they are just about grown now with my youngest at 16 and my oldest almost 24.
Having my craft studio in the basement and my desk in my bedroom means that work is always here. In the last few years I’ve come to realize that I really don’t have a life outside of my work. Work surrounds me. I am in this house all the time and feel like I always need to work.
If you know someone who has worked from home for a number of years, they will probably tell you that the freedom can actually put a toll on your self esteem, if you let it. In 1997 I wouldn’t have walked out of the house without makeup on. Now I go to the grocery store in a ratty pony tail without a trace of make-up. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t feel comfortable doing that. What I am saying is that I allowed myself to get frumpy, and personally I don’t like the way that feels. I’ve gained a lot of weight and don’t take care of myself the way that I should. While we should never allow judgement from others to dictate our appearance, we shouldn’t just give up either. I feel like I did that. I gave up on how I looked because I was the only one home all day. No coworkers. No one to go to lunch with. In the last 4 or 5 years I’ve been attending conferences and trade shows and have occasionally felt out of my element. Out of touch. I was surprised at how low my self esteem had become being so isolated.
With this new space I can get up and go to work everyday. Just like I used to so many years ago. While it will still be just me in the office, there are adjoining units, and it’s right in the middle of town. So I will have people to interact with on a daily basis. Something I haven’t had outside of my computer for far too many years. Another big benefit is that I can leave each night and go home. I can actually have a life again. I love my work, I do, but it consumes me. I’ve tried setting office hours, and was pretty good at it, but the computer is always here, always a temptation. Now it won’t be.
As I mentioned it’s in the middle of town, on Main Street, across from the Chamber of Commerce, the library and even Subway. It’s literally a two minute drive from my house and very close to the lake as well. On the map you can see my house in the upper left corner, then the studio in the lower right.
I’ve mapped out the design and plan to have a seating area right inside the door. (You can see my final furniture selections below) Because the flooring is a tan and white checkered tile, I’ll start with a large gray area rug with a smaller white area rug layered on top. I have an old rustic dark brown trunk I bought from a garage sale a few years ago that will serve as my coffee table. The white futon couch and two blue chairs with complete the area.
I found this fun white pitcher at IKEA and plan to fill it with bright flowers in the center of my rustic trunk. I also picked out some gorgeous pillows (see collage below) for the couch and I’m sure I’ll be grabbing more later.
There’s an entire wall of windows, letting in plenty of natural light, which is perfect for photos. I found some wonderful valances that should fit perfectly – they are gray with a quatrefoil design. The windows also have a long window seat. It’s not super deep, but perfect for a few books and pretty pillows!
It’s over 900 square feet with tons of space for my 5′ x 7′ craft table, photo setup, computer desk, storage and more. I’ll need a LOT of these storage cubes I found at WalMart to fill the awesome cube bookshelves that will be arriving soon!
I wanted to add a bit of rustic to the contemporary look of the furniture. I’ll be using my old trunk as a coffee table and thought this cool coat rack from Birch Lane would tie things in nicely!
I also decided to get this pair of ottomans. They’ll serve double duty as both a seat for people to tie their shoes under the coat rack, or as additional seating or a side table when needed.
I’ve partnered with the amazing people over at WayFair to help me furnish this space and make it my own gorgeous retreat to work in. I’m floored by how much they have to offer and spent hours perusing their site! I started a pinboard where I added all sorts of ideas before narrowing it down to what will actually fill my studio space.
Here are the amazing pieces that will occupy my space:
- White convertible sofa
- 2 light blue vinyl slipper chairs
- 8×10 gray area rug
- 4×6 white shag area rug
- Yellow desk for my computer
- Craft table for sewing
- 3 cube bookshelves
- 2 white storage cabinets
- Rustic coat hook for inside the door
- Basket ottomans for inside the door and extra seating
- 4 gray quatrefoil valances
I’m hoping I can get my talented son to make me this amazing paint storage from my friend Beckie’s craft room makeover. I want one! I think I could attach it between my third and fourth window.
Now that everything is ordered all I can do is wait for it to start arriving! I’ll have another post later showing you how it all fits together, so be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook to see updates and progress shots as well! So excited!
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myra says
Well done.
Is your work-shop also a shop where people can buy your craft?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Myra! No I don’t sell my projects :)
Kathy says
Congratulations, and thank you for your inspiring post (and website)!
Cindy says
Congratulations on your official craft studio! It has been awhile since I have been by for a visit at your site. I’m so happy for your progress and wish you success with your new adventure in your business.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Cindy, I appreciate that! Looking forward to finishing and getting moved in :)
Cheryy says
Amanda your choices are wonderful. I am so happy for you and the the new adventure in your life. I wish you the best.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much Cheryy! I’m very excited :)
Jodi says
That is sooooooo cool! What am great space!!!!!! Xoxo
Marie Clouser says
Dear Amanda,
No don’t ever leave us. You have been my “Craft book” to browse thru…as your ideas come into reality, and I flourish from it. Looking forward to some NEW crafts to make in 2016. Congrats on your new space! :)
Amanda Formaro says
What would make you think I would leave?? :) Just moving in and working from the studio instead of the house. Looking forward to it!
Judi Johnson says
I am a stay at home mom. My youngest is is now 26. I understand about letting yourself go. I am now almost 60 have no career nothing to fall back on. Congratulations on the beautiful space. I am excited to see what new and exciting things you will be creating. How exciting for you and for your family. Best of luck.
April Story says
Congratulations! I worked from home for several years and I know exactly what you mean. I had to go back into the office late last year. I hate the commute, but the benefit of talking to other adults has been great.
April
Amanda Formaro says
Yeah the commute is a drag, but that’s why I’m so happy that this is so close to home! Thanks!
Christine Kiehl says
Congratulations on being so adventurous; brave and happy about your newest adventure!! And of course for sharing it all with us, your following fans! How inspiring and fun to share in your obvious excitement! I am happy for you and look forward to your future shares and posts! Signed, a fan and lurker who sometimes ..comments but ALWAYS reads your newsletters/emails/posts/shares! Great way to kick off 2015!!!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you so much Christine, such wonderful words of encouragement and support! :-D
jet says
Your please is beautiful done. Wooow, it will be a pleasure to work there.
Much crafting fun and inspirationale things and idea in this room
Enjoy it;-D
Thank y ou for the sharing.
I must still work at my study filled up with moving box, and your solutions are inspirating me very much.
And it’s as well a motivation to go for it.
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you so much jet!
Jackie says
How exciting for you, Amanda! You’re going to have a great space where you can be creative. Can’t wait to see it all completed and ready for you.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Jackie, I’m very excited by the possibilities!
Jo Stone says
How exciting! I work from home and it is hard to escape.
Sometimes my house does not feel like a home because of customers coming and going. It is disruptive.
I can’t imagine how happy you are going to be when you can come home from work, instead of just changing floors like I still do, lol.
Amanda Formaro says
I know just how you feel Jo! :)
Cindy deRosier says
Oh my gosh – it’s going to be AWESOME! I love all the choices you’ve made. Can’t wait to see it all together.
I’m still in the honeymoon phase of working from home, thrilled each morning NOT to have to drive somewhere and work all day on someone else’s schedule, but I can absolutely see the appeal. I think having my husband work from home helps in that I’m never alone. (Never! Ahhhh!) Plus, I see friends twice a day at school drop-off and pick-up, plus at all the various Cub Scout events, sports practices, playdates, etc. It’ll be interesting to see how I feel about working from home as Trevor ages or if Steve ever needs to start working away from home.
Cindy deRosier says
My avatar is a purple Christmas tree with arms? I should do something about that…
Amanda Formaro says
LOL! Cindy go to Gravatar.com and you can upload your photo ;)
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Cindy! It’s good that you are involved with activities outside the home too. I did for a while but then I let it go and never should have. I let work consume me. So this will be so great to step back and still be working for myself :)
susan owen says
Way to go! The best of luck to you. Enjoy all your crafts and your new place is beautiful!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Susan I appreciate that!
Dianna Stewart says
wishing you every success in your new venture, must be so exciting and daunting at the same time
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much Dianna!
Stacy Risenmay says
How exciting! Some days I wish I could have regular hours and another place to make my messes. Maybe one day when my kiddos are bigger :) I can’t wait to see it come together!
Amanda Formaro says
I’ve waited a long time Stacy, I hope you get to do it someday soon too!
Anita Green Hens says
Looks great!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Anita!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
Congratulations on the new office!! ahhh that’s so awesome! Love everything!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Angie! Very excited, don’t know if I can wait for everything to arrive LOL