a place all my own…
February 2, 2012
I shared a room (and usually a bed) with my sister for my entire childhood. The only time I ever had my very own room was for the one year when my little sister left for college and I still lived at home right before I got married. I was a child bride at 21 (well, almost 22) and have shared a room with my man and often 2-3 children at any given time for the last 14 years.
There was that stint where all 5 of us had what we affectionately called the “MTV Cribs bed”, it was two queen beds on platforms pushed together with pillows with each of our names on them. It was so cheesy, sweet and so weird. We ran somewhat of a toddler frat house where kids stayed up all hours; we all laid in bed and talked in the dark until we fell asleep every night. And then school happened and the party was over, we resigned to a routine and became responsible parents. Even through all this over the years, we usually all end up in the same room, no matter how much space we have.
This may explain why everyone was so disturbed 2 days after Christmas when I climbed up into the loft to clean.
“Mom! What are you doing up there?” someone small said from the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m cleaning this place out so I can have a studio!” I shouted down.
“What’s that?” she shouted back.
“A studio is a place of your own just for your art and work.” I replied.
“Mom, you don’t need a place of your own, you have us! …and your bed.” she said.
“Exactly! That’s exactly why I need a place of my own!” I said.
And the rest of the day, I cleaned and organized, dragged an old door out of the shed, found some old sheets and blankets. I asked Jorge to help me get the dusty door up to the loft.
“You’re gonna do what?” he said.
He laughed when my next request was for him to carry up an old tree stump two flights of stairs.
2 days later and 2 strands of twinkle lights, I had the prettiest little studio you ever did see. It doesn’t matter that you can barely stand up in the attic, it’s just perfect. And I spent a whopping $6 to make it all happen.
After all was said and done, I climbed up into my nest and the full out family revolt started. Every 10 minutes for the first 48 hours, some one came in to plead their case. Each with their own strategy.
“How’s it goin’ up there?”
“I miss seeing you mom, are you coming down?” (this was 20 minutes in)
“Mom, do you think we should have some girly time all together up there, because I can come up, no problem.”
“Mom, I made a picture to celebrate your studio! Want me to come up?”
“Are you gonna stay up there all day?”
“MOOOOOMMM! I neeeeed a drink!”
“Don’t you wanna watch a movie with me?” (the largest member of our family, who shall go unnamed)
And I held strong, and I kinda missed them (like the tiniest bit), and I realized how productive I am, and remembered I am a clean person, and I sat in awe of the silence when everyone finally settled in…and two weeks later I was working in bed again, but just a little, because it’s just nice to know you can have a place all your own, family revolt and all.
Please tell me in the comments if you have a studio (give us link to a picture) or if you don’t, what dreamy space are you planning in your head? It can even be a Pinterest dream studio- it all counts. I’d love to hear all about it.
Kindnessgirl 
February 2, 2012 at 11:19 am
Ahhhh! To be so loved! That is totally sweet.
February 2, 2012 at 11:44 am
In my imagination, there is a nook, a cozy little nook with a window, book shelves to the ceiling, a puffy chair with a snuggly blanket and a sweet little footstool, and a little table big enough for a lamp, a cup of tea, a plate of something chocolate, and a book. There is a french door with curtains on it. Someday…
February 2, 2012 at 11:53 am
I did once have my little space. It was a room at the top of the stairs. A very small room. My precious hundred year old writing desk filled a good half of that space. However, the desk had so many nooks and crannies, places for my pens and paperwork and laptop where they could stay ready for my attention. Creativity often needs ‘space’ and silence and ‘room’ to be left off and picked up when the inspiration strikes. I still dream of having another some day, probably small, a little dark, a little rustic, with my ‘stuff’ where I want it. And my precious writing desk. Sigh …….
February 2, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Oh yes, I have a wonderful studio – called the play room…which I love! You can see it on my blog if you want to… http://bohemiannieart.blogspot.com/2012/01/woyww-so-many-projectsso-little-time.html.
I DO share it with my 4 year old granddaughter whenever she’s over and wants to be in there. Occasionally my hubby will come in for a sit on the balcony which is off this room.
When my children were little (and not so little) we had a family bed. I home educated them (in the Peninsula area BTW) and at one point we bought a huge old Victorian in Chase City. They would run through the 18 rooms calling, “Mommy!!! Where are you?!?” I would just keep my eyes closed and continue rocking until they found me. Pure bliss.
February 2, 2012 at 7:48 pm
I love your studio. It’s very, very dreamy. No picture to share of my one day studio–but now you’ve got me thinking. I can completely relate to the MTV cribs bed. We’ve got that going on at our casa. I heard my own children coming through in yours. We’re just always together. They don’t know any differently. I think I’ll be paying pinterest a visit tonight after everyone is asleep..
February 3, 2012 at 11:34 pm
Good for you! I love your studio—especially the twinkle lights! After leaving a marriage—and a house—where there was never really “room” for me, I now have a home of my own, and I’ve enjoyed renovating it and making it my own. Recently, I created a little reading nook in my sunny dining room, which you can see on my DIY blog: http://liferevisions.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/cozy-reading-corner/
Enjoy your special place…I know it will feed your creativity and your soul…and in turn your children and your family.
February 4, 2012 at 1:29 pm
I love your reading nook – that was important to me too when coming up with how I wanted to create my space. I haven’t had a book shelf in awhile and all of my books were in plastic bins under my bed, or scattered around. I found a book shelf in my mom’s basement, and came up with a few vintage items to put in the room. I love how you put your space together. I am still working on my room but it’s getting there.
February 4, 2012 at 8:59 am
Your studio is LOVELY and it makes me happy to think of you up there. It also makes me happy to think of you down in the rest of the house with your family. Togetherness is great! But we all need a space of our own, too. Many happy, dreamy, creative, restive moments await!
February 4, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Been working on my own little “lair” so to speak since the beginning of the year. It’s my daughter’s old bedroom – I wanted a room of my own, with a bookcase, pretty pillows, an old console radio that I got and my birds. I am still working on the room – going through things – it’s my place to just be by myself, meditate, work on my tree drawings or crochet, read or doze off. I have a little serenity fountain on a little table I found in an antique shop. We put a little shelf under the window so that I could keep a few plants there – have lotus seeds in water which will sprout into tiny lily pads. I definitely needed a room of my own, especially during the winter months. My cats definitely love it! They are in there more than I have been. On Chinese New Year, I found a red lantern which I hung on the canopy bed frame. I kept it there. I also put a mobile up. Not sure how I can post photos. But… we must have been thinking along the same lines of wanting a place of our own… Definitely would like to have some twinkle lights – once I have it completed, I will work on some pretty lights.
February 5, 2012 at 8:41 am
I have a little space, but sometimes I have to (get to) share my tools with a 3 year old. My space is not nearly this tidy anymore! http://www.talesofthisfourthgradeteacher.blogspot.com/2011/06/brave-summer-work.html
Maybe I need some twinkle lights!
February 5, 2012 at 10:32 am
Oh Patience…I did something similar!! 🙂 I took half of the attic and made it my own. My daughter, whose room is on the other half of the attic, is NOT happy that she has to pass through the “junk room” to get to her room!! I didn’t spend much more money than you did…I spent money on paint. The furniture was collected from random places in my house. I did, buy a table from IKEA….it was 25ish dollars. Now, I’m having trouble keeping it organized…which may be why my daughter calls it the junk room. I need to use all of the fun materials that I have. I will…in time…but for now, I have the space and I’ve just begun to use it more! Yay for you…and I’m thinking I need to steal the twinkle light idea!! 🙂
February 6, 2012 at 10:35 am
So perfect! Learning about my need for alone-time and how to get it with compassion for both myself and the rest of my family has been one of my biggest tasks in adulthood. Everybody needs a place of his or her own! Your studio looks so cozy and perfect, and reminds me of the attic-office “fortress of solitude” that Dan and I had in one of our newlywed homes.
Come to think of it, I need a new fortress of solitude! My room has been taken over by laundry, piles of paperwork, computer peripherals, and left-behind toys.
February 12, 2012 at 11:42 am
you’ve inspired me! i’m trying to sort out my attic but it is involving fibreglass insulation stuff and boarding it out and i am feeling a bit beaten by it all. your pics are lovely!
March 2, 2012 at 2:49 am
So nice to read this. I love how you carved a lil’ space for yourself.
Coming back to your blog after a while… Busy with travels, work and just life.
Just this morning I found an amazing place to work in!! Am staying at my parents for a month in-between jobs/houses and re-discovered the basement office!! I have claimed it my own and today is my first day of work in it.
What a nice coincidence to read this today.
Blessings.
xox