For days I've been waiting for enough sun to photograph my little home "office" (really just a corner of the salon, divided from the rest of the room by a bookcase). But the cold, grey winter's gloom persists. Finally, I took photos using only lamplight (the zinc urn/lamp once was part of a weather vane on top of a French chateau) and with the flash (below). The cabinet d' curiositie to the right of the desk is a Napoleon III bookcase, which belonged to a professor at the Sorbonne. His grandson - who prefers modern furniture - sold it to me for a song. The "Louis Louis" chair was a gift from my friend Di Overton.
My new 17" Macbook Pro and 24" display screen. Until late last fall, I was a lifelong PC user (I still have a PC notebook loaded with photos and a netbook for travel, as well). At left is my iPod and speakers. The rest is decidely low-tech, i.e. an Arts & Crafts clock, an Art Nouveau frame accented with silver and opals and featuring a photo of an unknown French soldier; two Napoleon III globes; a 19th-century wooden sewing basket holding stationary and several 18th-century books.
The mercantile drawers containing computer gear and office supplies are 19th-century French. The art at right is by Vanessa Valencia. (At left, washed out by the lamplight, is a watercolour of a woman walking in a storm near the Taos Pueblo). A tall scientific speciman cloche holds 17th-century French documents and a gilt fragment, while a small cloche contains Christine Mason Miller's collage "Your voice matters."
The red desk and bookcase are from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The wireless printer is on top of a small blue-grey chest from a French mercantile. A framed photograph of Afghan children is by Marianne Elliot. The Native American pottery oil painting is 19th-century French. A framed Italian prayer ornament is also 19th-century. Beneath it is a 2008 art piece by Jennifer Valentine. The Habitat bookcase (at left) holds mostly art and photography books featuring the work of Reza Deghati, Steve McCurry, David Alan Harvey, James Nachtwey, Galen Rowell, Sebastiao Salgado, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, William Albert Allard and others whose work I admire.
I'm hoping that next year when we move to Amsterdam, there will be enough space for a real office with a window, rather than a lamplit little corner. Won't you post photos of your own desk or space where you create?
i LOVED this peek into your working area. don't you ADORE your macbook pro and your magic mouse? it is indeed magic.
it must be very comforting to work so surrounded by books and beautiful things. such an inspiring environment.
Posted by: julochka | 02 February 2010 at 20:31
I couldn't possibly show my work space after seeing yours! Which is fabulous. Now -- since you're moving to Amsterdam next year, I'll have to visit soon -- haha!
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 21 January 2010 at 18:10
i LOVED seeing your magical studio Tara
so YOU filled with books and art and photo's
i am going to clean up my studio and take a few
photo's perhaps this weekend inspired by you
muah!
Posted by: maddie | 15 January 2010 at 05:37
What a cozy nook! I looooove those cabinets.
Posted by: Swirly | 14 January 2010 at 19:47
Me again, I did post pictures of my space. But I just want to say more about your space. I remember standing there in your tiny space and feeling your presence there. Oh those little crowns were so precious. It is definitely you!
Posted by: Marilyn | 14 January 2010 at 18:04
What a lovely nook to inspire creativity! I could get lost in there for hours....thanks for posting these pics....now let's see if I can recreate something just as wonderful.
Posted by: Rebecca | 14 January 2010 at 15:41
This may be a tiny space but it is laden with character and creative atmosphere! A total delight!
Posted by: Gemma | 14 January 2010 at 11:16
i love your little corner.... the cosy feel of being surrounded on 3 sides by all the books and other beautiful things
Posted by: leonie | 13 January 2010 at 17:35
sweetheart,
this is such a cozy and lovely space. you know i adore seeing your work area.
a move? does this mean i need to visit paris, sooner than later? : )
please say yes.
xoxo
Posted by: christina | 13 January 2010 at 16:32
Small but cozy, filled with things you obviously love. I'd need to do some SERIOUS decluttering before I could show you any of my creating spots. But in the middle of this year our youngest is off to college and we're claiming his bedroom for a shared office and library, which means it's hardly worth trying to reorganize anything before that time. That's my rationalization, and I'm sticking to it.
Amsterdam!? On to new adventures! Is this something you're looking forward to doing? And what will you rename your blog? You might have to switch from dessert (parfait) to Appetizers.
Posted by: Laume | 13 January 2010 at 10:49
Ah, you are giving me inspiration for whatever little writing corner I want to create for myself... when we move to whatever new apartment we'll be moving to in the next five months. Haven't even started looking yet, but we start very soon and one thing on my wish list is some sort of good space to write, other than locking myself in the bedroom to hide from the kids.
Posted by: The Bold Soul | 13 January 2010 at 10:15
Amsterdam next year sounds very exciting and filled with promises. I love this office and I totally picture you here. It is so layered, so elegant and worldly, just like you. I can't post mine dear girl. It is a hurricane, complete with kid's toys. I will have to declutter it one day to photograph it.
Posted by: Yoli | 13 January 2010 at 05:48
How wonderful to have this peek into your space...it is warm and inviting.
I love a space crowded with books and special artwork.
Mr R just traded in his pc for a mac....we are very jealous!
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | 13 January 2010 at 04:42
Such coziness and creativity there! Something to inspire everywhere you look. I love the Art Nouveau frame with the unknown soldier, a really great idea. And the tiny drawers like dozens of treasure boxes all around you. A great little space.
Posted by: Cheryl R. Cruz | 13 January 2010 at 03:18
Fabulous. What charm and treasure in your tiny space.
It looks spiritual.I wonder what books are on your shelf.
Posted by: gemma | 13 January 2010 at 01:04
I remember your space well. A window would be lovely. It is amazing how many little cubbies and shelves we need to surround us in our space. I just added another shelf this week. OK I will take the challenge and photograph my space this week.
Posted by: Marilyn | 12 January 2010 at 23:52
cozy is what came to mind .... I just love it!
Posted by: michele | 12 January 2010 at 23:36
It's gorgeous! I can't post a photo of mine, it's too depressing. Jammed up against the washing machine in the laundry/hallway. That's why I always end up writing at the kitchen table!
Posted by: Marianne | 12 January 2010 at 21:36
I love your space, it is so you! Little drawers hold what...small beautiful notebooks and photos and other assorted treasures I would imagine! I love your space.
I would love to photograph my work area. I will do just that and make it my next post.
Love to you, and all you inspire in me!! xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 12 January 2010 at 21:11
I love that corner, I could happily live in there. Lovely to see the chair sitting there. My back has gone through sitting on my chair at the computer, the cushion goes wonky and makes me sit at an angle. You would think with all those chairs I have I could use one of them, in fact that is what I am going to do the culprit has been put in a corner of shame.
The snow is melting and now looks dirty but at least I can get out - WHEN I CAN STAND UP STRAIGHT :)
Hugs
Di
xo
PS AMSTERDAM NEXT YEAR!!!???? WOW!
Posted by: Di Overton | 12 January 2010 at 20:52
what a lovely and inspiring place
to write.
:-)
The mercantile drawers
steal my heart ♥
You DO have the Best Eye
for finding treasures.
Posted by: somepinkflowers | 12 January 2010 at 20:38
Such a cozy corner, Tara!
Lots of warmth here.
I love your challenge to post our own little corners.
I do believe I've a photo from last year of my small
creative space ... . . it's literally a corner
behind a door .
Jjj
Posted by: judith | 12 January 2010 at 20:04