March Project: Desk Revamp

There’s this deck that is less than 40 feet from touching the clear water of a lake that holds the most sacred places in my heart. It’s connected to a cabin that has been my family’s vacation destination for the same week in August for the past twenty years. It’s a familiar space with gorgeous views, and it has the capability to unleash floods of memories.

If there ever was a place more conducive to productive thinking, I haven’t found it. That deck is my sweet spot for inspiration. Goals are made there; motivation is birthed. I write like crazy and even contrived the idea for my current mystery novel sitting outside on its lawn. I need that space once a year to refresh and cleanse my mind, to bring about new ideas, and pursue things I jot down in a notebook.

But if I had that more than once a year I wouldn’t put up a fit. Queue my next project!

 

My writing station is less of a station and more of a couch. Getting things written can be difficult when the distraction called “comfortable place to nap” is so easily accessible. I needed some structure, so I set up a work-devoted area at our dining table. Along with my notepad, computer, mug and coaster is a cluster of other junk from the mail, my makeup mirror, and other random paperwork that hasn’t found a permanent home due to lack of space (again trying to find solutions for my small living area). The table has become a catch-all.

I need a desk. Hubby has a desk for work but it’s stuffed in the bedroom with limited natural light. Having a place of my own that I could dedicate to my craft while channeling the natural light at the cottage seems really inviting. I need a creative space.

I wasn’t about to trot to the store and buy a brand new, squeaky clean desk. No. First I want a bargain, second I want a piece that has character etched in with the possibility of making it my own. This piece would be as creative and inspiring as the work I strive to write. It’d be the perfect place to fuel my writing process.

I hopped on Craigslist and did a quick search. Ever get that sensation that you know what you want when you see it? It’s like you have a general idea of what you want, and when you see something that’s in the realm of your idea you keep scrolling because it’s not right. But then you go to page two and see it. It strikes you and you know that’s what you’ve been looking for all along. It’s a done deal, that’s it, shop’s closed. That goes for choosing my husband as well as picking out a desk!

I had that epiphany with a cute little looker that had a single drawer, a dark stain, and only enough room for one. Honestly it looked kind of beat up in the picture, but I knew in my heart of hearts this would be mine. Check out the desk I bought below.

So I’ve got some ideas on how to transform this from rummage sale street art to a classic, chic writing space. A little paint here, a little character there. Something that I originally wanted to forget about with paint was the flat surface of the desk. It looks used, absolutely, just like the rest of it. I might even go as far to say its better days were decades ago. But something about the etchings on the surface are really attractive to me. I imagine a person sitting there and writing a NY Times Bestseller, or writing a letter to a lover seas away. I feel like creativity lives in the grooves of those wooden dents.

 

I’m excited to start this new project, and I’ll give you an update once it’s completed. In the meantime, I’ll encourage you to create something of your own! Do you have a need that only you and your artistic ability can resolve? You can do it!

 

 

 

 

Cheers!