By Kim
I blogged about the chaos that is my “office” back in 2009.
It’s now October of 2013 and my desk remains exactly where it was, with ten
feet of open space between me and a television with surround sound. My husband’s
desk is still two steps behind me.
There have been a couple of changes since then, of course.
My older daughter, the one who wants the TV on for background noise, now
prefers to hole up in her room and make duct-tape art during the rare moments
she’s not dancing or doing homework. The
younger daughter and my husband have now claimed the TV and spend way too much
of their leisure time playing Minecraft. I've decided I prefer the theme song
for “Dog With a Blog” to the endless bleating of sheep or virtual scrape of
pickaxes. Our new laminate floors, while gorgeous, amplify each sound until I swear I’m down in the mine with them.
While moving my computer is impossible, I decided to claim
one small corner of the house as my own. A place to read and relax. A place to
hide when the noise level around me gets to be too much. A place to banish
myself to when hormones or tempers flare.
My bedroom was the obvious choice, since the open floor plan
that once drew me to this house includes few doors that close. I've recently
repainted in there and, other than for the TV, the room is a throwback to 1917.
I cleared out a space and went out in search of furniture. I found this comfy Morris
chair at a local antique store. It was made in 1902 in a town maybe fifty miles
from where my great-grandfather lived that year. If this weren't enough of a
selling point, the upholstery matched my bedspread. The ends of the armrests
even curve to fit my hands.
The owner of the store suggested an antique gout stool
instead of an ottoman. It looks a bit strange, but supports feet and legs at a
natural angle. As soon as I tried it, I grinned and said “sold.” I’m not sure
the stools did anything to relieve gout, which could account for their lack of
popularity today, but they feel heavenly.
My eight-year-old has already claimed both chair and stool
as hers when that (hopefully far-off) day arrives that I have no further need
of them.
So here it is, my serenity amid chaos. I think everyone
needs such a place, especially creative types.
What’s your place?
Delightful post, Kim. You know how much I love that chair, gout stool, and your room. Each of us needs a place to relax, think, read and dream. Mine is in my living room in the recliner facing the wall adorned with five of your great-grandfather's beautiful oil paintings. Often I imagine stepping into each of those great works of art and getting caught up in the times they were created.
ReplyDeleteI wish it were possible to have that view in my house! Unfortunately, the art gallery is in the entry. If my chair were placed there, I'd be in the middle of the chaos!
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