If you follow me on Pinterest, you know that I do a lot of studio-coveting.  I spend a ridiculous amount of time daydreaming about a large, light-filled space out in the country.  This dream studio is preferably beside a creek or river. 

I would also *settle* for this location.

The dream studio is also well-organized - a gorgeous, streamlined space that is well considered and tidy.   Like this...

NOT this...

This space also comes with an endless amount of storage, of course!  

I have been racking my brain on how to improve our small, in-home studio.  I am very grateful for the space that I do have, but with both Derek and myself working/storing in there, it is simply not large enough.  No amount of organizing and space-saving will do.  So.  We are considering taking down the wall that currently separates our master bedroom from our office and turning it into one room - our new studio!  We will be moving our bedroom into our current studio.  It will be cramped, but it's a sacrifice that Derek and I are willing to make.  (Who needs a large room to sleep in, anyway??)  On the other hand, we absolutely DO need a bigger space to create in, and I am so excited about the possibilities the larger room would provide!

I like to begin the new year with planning, organizing and cleaning (much to my husband's dismay, I have to add!).  This year I have started with the office.  We recently purchased a new glass top desk and a bookcase to store all of our mailing/promotional/office items along with our art books/resources.  The thing is, my taste in home decor runs toward a minimal sort of look, but that doesn't translate very well when all the random-but-will-be-useful-someday stuff I have squirreled away overflows onto every surface in the house! 

I have been working on keeping things organized and finding homes for odd, miscellaneous things that crop up.  I have purchased large and small boxes for different thingamajigs.  At least now when Derek asks for a stamp or envelope, I know exactly where to go!  Kind of sad that it has taken me this long to get semi-organized, but there you have it...

Too bad I don't have a before picture (I would be too embarrassed, anyway) but here is the current state of our little office. 

Above is my kitten Yuki, snuggling in our other office chair that we keep tucked in the corner, getting it nice and hairy.  The chair is handy to have and we like the kitten too :)  I haven't mentioned adopting her yet, after what happened with Louis (our kitten who passed away earlier this year).  My mom convinced me to adopt another kitten and we are glad we did.  She's been wonderful. 

The office still needs some work - especially a coat of paint (I'm considering a light grey?).  Now I have to decide which room to tackle next!