Monday, September 24, 2012

My Writing Retreat!


I cleaned, scraped walls, moved furniture, taped, painted, painted again, antique-glazed, decoupaged, decorated and finally, FINALLY finished my new writers retreat! It took me ALL weekend and every muscle in my body is screaming, but I can't tell you how excited I am to have a writing space of my own. Check it out:


The giant star that has followed me through three houses. Books. And my favorite picture: a five generation shot of me (baby), mom, grandpa, great-grandma and great-great grandma.




Teddy Roosevelt quote on the wall. So true.




A close-up of the desk I decoupaged with pages from Pride and Prejudice. 




Leather chaise for when sitting at the desk won't cut it. I might call it my nap chair.




Me, doing some serious writerly thinking and such. :)




More books and stuff.


I know, I am so spoiled. Hopefully my own writing room will result in utter brilliance on the page. Or at least put a smile on my face every day. So...where do you write?

27 comments:

F said...

Wow, I love what you've done with the space! It looks great, Ilima. I usually write at my desk, or when I really need to change it up my bed. At home I have a study which I write in, but now I've moved to university my own room will have to do!

C.S.H said...

I would kill for a space like that!! LOL! Not really but it would be nice! You did a fabulous job! I just can't help but to be blown away by the colors, the low lighting, and the paintings and book shelves! That natural wood goes so well!!! You are very lucky! All I have is the kitchen table! I have a desk but with three boys running around, I can't exactly lock myself in my room while they're up running around! I have to be where I can keep and eye on them and often when I do sit down to write, I am often disturbed every five minutes! By someone or something.. it's utter chaos! Maybe when all three of my boys are in school! Love love love your new writing space! WOW!

C.S.H said...

Oh and I just noticed the decoupaged desk! Pride and Prejudice, I'm reading that now because I've never read it before, never got the chance to but it's a GREAT book!!! LOOK AT YOU!

Suzi said...

Beautiful. I'm very jealous. Love that chaise lounge. Very cool.

jaybird said...

Wow-look what you have accomplished. It's amazing! What a wonderful space to get your creativity going. Love, love, love the Pride and Prejudice words.

I have a small area with a computer desk I set up in my family room where I write. It's really tiny, but I'm thankful for my little space, because at least it's a space, albeit cramped, cluttered and cra-zy, it's all mine :)



Kathryn Purdie said...

Wow, Ilima! I love it so much. It's perfect and matches your taste and the rest of your home so well. You so deserve every millimeter of this amazing space. May many incredible stories be born here!

Angela Cothran said...

It looks awesome!!! It's hard not to find inspiration in a space like that :)

Emily R. King said...

Beautiful! I love the Teddy Roosevelt quote.

ilima said...

Fiona-Thank goodness for laptops, right? Anywhere can be a writing space!

Crystal-Don't kill anyone. Well, maybe in your writing. :) I am SO lucky, thanks.

Suzi-It is ridiculously comfortable, too.

Jaybird-I bought a copy for $3 at my kids' school's book fair on Thursday just for that project. I love, love, love it too!

Katie-Glad you like it. You'll have to come see it in person soon. :)

Angie-I hope so! :)

Emily-Thanks. Hopefully it will kick my butt into gear. :)

Emily said...

Wow, I also love it. Good job. Totally worth all the work. I had to downsize from an office to a corner of my bedroom. But I have a great view from the window and I can close and lock the door when I need some quiet to work.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Beautiful space! I usually write on my bed. :)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Oh, and I meant to say that idea for the Pride and Prejudice pages. Brilliant.

ilima said...

Emily-I bet that view in your room is amazing, as in vineyards and foggy horizons. Am I right?

Michelle-No wonder you write the best bed scenes. Ha! And thanks, I thought it was brilliant too.

Sylvia said...

Wow, what a fantastic space! My office wants a chair like that! My office is a purple heaven. It is so cozy!

Carrie Butler said...

Wow. I'm so jealous, Ilima. It looks great! :D

Libby said...

That room is gorgeous! When will you be doing mine? :)

ilima said...

Sylvia-Thanks. Your space does sound like heaven.

Carrie-Thanks!

Libby-Oh, gosh. I hope I never have to do that ever again! :)

Robin said...

So beautiful Ilima! Nice work for one weekend. I'd hire you as a decorator any day:) Love the 5 generation picture and the Roosevelt quote and the lounge chair, and well, everything!

David P. King said...

What an incredibly warm place. A cozy feeling always gets me going. I should think about redesigning me corner ... :)

ilima said...

Robin-You are too sweet. Isn't that picture the coolest? That's what happens when you have babies young (seems to run rampant in my family :)

David-It's way cozy, just in time for fall/winter weather outside. Add some cocoa on my desk and I'm set. :)

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Wow! Gorgeous! Enjoy!! :D

Kelley Lynn said...

Holy crap! Can I hire you to do my writing space when I get a writing space someday??? WOW!

ilima said...

Amy-Thanks, I will.

Kelley-How fun would that be, right? Party at Kelley's house!

Unknown said...

Wow! I love it! One day...

Jennie Bennett said...

WAYYYY spoiled! It's so pretty I just want to squeeze it! Can you tell how jealous I am??

ilima said...

Rachel-Thanks so much.

J.A.-I know I am. It's okay, you can be jealous. I'll allow it. :)

Nicole said...

Oh, I love it! The colors are amazing. Can't wait to create my own writing room one day.