Monday, March 14, 2011

Home Office Transformation.

http://www.goodbyehousehellohome.blogspot.com/

I am being EXTREMELY brave, and showing you one of the worst rooms of our house!  (Not counting the garage)  

When we combined households, by moving into my childhood home with my Parents a 1 1/2 years ago.  We gained space in some rooms, like the childrens bedrooms for instance, and lost space by having to combine our home offices.

We built counter tops in an L shape to accommodate three people.  My Husband, My Mother, and I all spend a significant amount of time in this room. 

In July of 2009 we had two garage sales, unpacked a home, registered the kids for school for the first time in their lives, signed up for a new football team, and combined two homes, all in one short month!  As usual, time whirls past at break neck speed!  The office took a back seat to the never ending onslaught of "drama" otherwise know as "life"!  Cancer treatment, broken bones, dislocated knees, surgeries, medical procedures, Cataract surgery,  you name it!  With a family of eight..........it never seems to end.  BUT God is good!  Everyone is doing relatively well at the moment.  PTL!
Now that I can walk, and bend somewhat better that before, the office has been driving me mad.  So we finally cleaned up our messes.

I figured I would start the pictures with this word, because you are going to need that positive mental image before seeing the "before" pictures in all their glory!








This is my Mom's side of the office.

Are you afraid yet?
This is my space.  It isn't usually this bad....but I was sorting...........AHEM....moving on........
The shelves above my Husband's space.  He like the Japanese Zen kind of feeling......CAN'T you tell?!!  We packed up the Kabuki dolls.  There is NO hope of him having a Zen space in this office EVER!  LOL
All the books from the shelves and some that were randomly scattered elsewhere, waiting to be placed neatly BACK on the shelves.
The empty and now CLEAN shelves.
Boxes waiting to be sorted for over a year now.
It's MAGNIFICENT isn't it?  

Now on to the AFTER pictures!  Bet you couldn't wait to get past the BEFORE.
AHHH....I can breathe again!
Not only do we have tidy and organized shelves...My Darling Husband just bought me one of the pod coffee makers, so I don't have to trek up and down the stairs all the time.  I still have a VERY difficult time with stairs, especially if my hands are full.
This thing ROCKS!  It makes a lovely cup of almost espresso like coffee because it doesn't ruin the crema.
All the papers are neatly filed away in the filing cabinet!  Novel idea isn't it?!
Mom can actually get to her keyboard now!
Did you know there was a printer behind all of the papers and mail? 
Hubby's work space, with the kid's galaxy art from years ago now on display!
Mom's spot again.
My area.
My Memo board, and a basket I am still not sure what to do with.
It isn't fancy, or nicely decorated.....but it is TIDY!!!  YAY!!!!!
We got all this accomplished in one weekend!  See what we can do when we put our minds to it?  I can't believe we waited so long!  Now, I look forward to spending time in this room, instead of dreading coming in here. 



Keeping It Simple

8 comments:

  1. WOW!! What a busy bee! and I think we were on the same wave legnth this weekend =) I cleaned up our home office (or as my hubs calls it - my hole) this weekend too. Don't you feel so much better knowing you're in a tidy space =) Good job and Happy Spring!

    :D Lynda

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  2. Hurray for tidy!!! I know just what you mean. I was so happy to have the girls' room somewhat straightened that it didn't bother me too much that it's not "decorated." I think you did a great job. Can't you just breathe easier now? :)

    Visiting from the Purge Party at "Goodbye House Hello Home." Hope you'll stop by my blog to say hi. :)

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  3. WOW! What a difference! Organization is so fun to me and I know it makes everything more calm and relaxing! This may motivate you to keep it up! If you ever want more motivation to organize, feel free to stop by!

    Becky B.
    www.organizingmadefun.blogspot.com
    Organizing Made Fun

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  4. Hi Paula!
    Sorry it took me a day to get over here!
    WOW. WOW. WOW.
    The afters are heavenly!
    Didn't you just wanna stand in the doorway and look at it for awhile, LOL!?
    Your sweet hubby! Getting you a Senseo! That is precious.
    Your narrating is hilarious.
    You wait till I show you the pictures of our home office when we moved in it. You may need some Pepto Bismol, girl.
    My Gram lived with us for 7 years, she had 2 hip surgeries, 2 cataract surgeries, 1 (well, she only has one) uterine prolapse surgery, so I know the challenge of living with older people all too well!
    Cherish the good days and forgive the bad ones.
    I admire your patience and love for them :)
    Thank you for sharing your simplifying joys!
    I know it is an encouragement to others!
    HUGS to you, sweet friend!
    ~me
    P.S. If I came by, the first thing I'd wanna see in person, in your office, is espresso in a cup, for me! ;)

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  5. Just came across your blog...and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the before and afters. You must feel so good now...so at peace.

    I admire you and your hubby.....you both changed your lives to help your parents. God bless you both.

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  6. Hi there Paula! I have to say I was a bit frightened in the beginning. But NOW WOW! Looks awesome. You must be so happy to get to work now LOL. I have a senseo too, loves it! Thanks for joining my newbie party.

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  7. Wow Paula what a huge difference! I'll bet your mood has improved too

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  8. Hi Paula! The office looked pretty chaotic back then. I’m glad you had it transformed. It would absolutely boost your productivity. A tidy workstation, also, creates a light atmosphere. It would be easier to work if you are not stressed. Your whole office, especially the papers, is properly organized now. Your next challenge is to maintain it. Good luck!

    Blake Mitchell

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