When Lost in Place was visiting recently, she commented that she wouldn't want to work at my desk for long periods of time because of the way I had it facing a wall. I had actually been facing this photo by Walker Evans, which is probably one of my favorite photos, but still, a wall is a wall.
Her words stuck with me every day after she said this until I couldn't stand it any longer and had to rearrange the room. I don't have a lot of flexibility in there because one wall is taken up by closet doors, and there's only one full wall on which I can put the futon. So the only thing I could really do was flip my chair around to the other side of the desk and face out into the room. I figured I'd also move it over by the window while I was at it, since I have this real need for natural light (and this is one of the reasons I hate to work in my office at school, because I've been moved to a cement-block walled windowless room).
The first thing I noticed facing out was that I felt a lot freer. Kind of like I wasn't facing a wall anymore, both literally and metaphorically.
The second thing I noticed is that the room is a real mess (!) and if I'm going to be looking at it all day, I'd better clean it up. So I did, for the most part. There's still more to do, mainly stuff that doesn't actually have a place to go. I wish I could just throw it all out, but it's actually stacks of papers and articles that just really need a file cabinet.
But it's definitely better now. Of course, if you look at this photo, you'll notice that I now sit with my back to the heater which has the potential to be too warm. And I also sit next to a big window, which has the potential to be too cold. Just call me Goldilocks.
And, as Ianqui and Super G know well (since they used to live here before I did), the view out the window is not exactly pleasant. It's a narrow alleyway that leads out to the trash lining the main alley. I try not to look at it directly and out of the corner of my eye, I just imagine it to be some cute little European back alley. :)
I'm trying to remember what that room looked like when we lived there. I can't! But I think I had a desk in the main room like where J's is? Or maybe I worked on the kitchen table? Supah?
Wow, my memory sucks not only for events (which I knew), but also for spatial layouts. How sad.
Posted by: ianqui | Monday, January 30, 2006 at 02:20 PM
I'm so excited to see this!! I love it!! But more importantly, I hope you do?! And what do the cats think of all this change? Glad you decided to give it a try...new perspective should help you get to that PhD degree in no time :)
Posted by: Kelly | Monday, January 30, 2006 at 02:41 PM
Ianqui, I can't remember either! As soon as a place as been changed, I really find it hard to remember how it looked before. I kind of think you used this room like an office, but I'm really not sure.
Kelly, yes I do like it. It really does feel less like I'm being punished and have to face the corner for hours on end. :)
As for the cats, they adjusted pretty quickly except for the first day when Koji tried to sleep under my desk chair. The pink chair used to be here and Koji always used to sleep under it. However, when he tried to sleep under my desk chair, I accidentally kicked him from above and he hasn't returned to the spot since. But if you look closely in the picture, I put a blanket on the floor by the window and Tako has been sleeping there from time to time.
Posted by: seadragon | Monday, January 30, 2006 at 05:19 PM
The room looks good. I like the natural light you are getting from the window. The view might not be too good, but the tall windows make up for it.
Posted by: Double Dogged | Monday, January 30, 2006 at 06:32 PM
Hardwood floors? Tall windows? I think I'm in love with your apartment!
Posted by: Malnurtured Snay | Monday, January 30, 2006 at 10:14 PM
I recently rearranged my desk after reading in a Feng Shui book that you weren't supposed to have your desk facing the wall. The book is by Kirsten Lagatree. Now my office seems more professional.
Posted by: Joshua Berlow | Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 01:56 PM
Truly this photo makes the apartment look much nicer than it actually is. It's actually a fairly small room, and if you could actually see the junk scattered all around the rest of the room, you wouldn't be quite so jealous. Now if I could just clean it up and keep it clean, then you would be justified in being in love with this apartment.
Actually, I do love it. And it really has made a world of difference to move my desk. It's funny how that really changes how I feel when I'm sitting there (which is practically all the time).
Posted by: seadragon | Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 07:44 PM
The photo looks beautiful and it said "The home is where the heart is".you can create a layout in the home that will help bring out the natural energy that is residing deep inside of you.If you get rid of the clutter, you will more than likely find the health and wellbeing that you seek in life.
Posted by: feng shui | Thursday, August 07, 2008 at 03:25 AM