the office, version 2.0
As promised, here are photos of what our second office space looked like when we moved from “version 1.0“{I loved so many things about this one!}.
After a couple of years in our first studio {really it was “my” studio, since John’s role in the business at this point was mostly childcare, moral support and a listening ear}, the business was growing to the point that it was clear we needed a bigger space! So the next logical spot was this room swap with Emma Grace and Ian:
The doorway into the room. I decorated this entry wall with gold foil vinyl decals and loved the faux wallpaper look they created. The room we used for this larger version {it was twice as big as the room moved it from – which shows just how small that room is!} is the same one the our oldest two were sharing in this blog post. And then we swapped them over into that tiny room where the first office had been – they were super flexible! And this time period made me grateful time and time again for just how well our children get along together.Just behind the door. I spray painted a thrift store bulletin silver, covered the cork part with some decorative wrapping paper {from the Dollar Tree!} and then stretched bakers twine back and forth across it to provide a place where I could pin up the extras I had on hand. {“coffee” print from recipeforcrazy} Kept them tangle-free and filled my need for visual order! Speaking of a need for order …. :) I had been using some large bins and boxes to corral the papers I was using for a while – and for a while, it worked just fine. Of course, with a bit of growth in the shop, our need for paper selection and “on hand” amounts grew, and we were able to fine these terrific store-style paper racks. They have been amazing!
the shipping station – this is where all your lovely packages get wrapped in tissue, tied with pretty twine and sent on their way! The lovely work spaces that John build, as well as one of my favorite deals from Sam’s Club ever – I scooped these metal bar stools up for under $10 each! And the sewing machine where “sew” much of our business was built. Two printers {and yes, we use them both!} – a color Canon for custom work and a work horse b&w Brother for everything else. John made the stand so we could maximize the counter space on top of the dresser, and it has worked quite well. And then of course, what would a post about our office be with a few photos of it “in real life” {i.e. messy and being used :D}One of my favorite things about this room is the way the sun streams through the window throughout the day – in the late afternoon, the packing table gets bathed in light. Always so lovely!A package getting all its pieces put together {note the stack of packages on the left? Those were all on their way out the door to you!}a toddler selfie :) that shows some more of our storage in useOne of the older kids wanted to “take a picture of YOU, Mommy!” and it came out just of my hands. I kind of like it :)
Little did we know that when we started this business over 5 years ago where it would take us! We are humbled when we see what God has done, and you haven’t even seen version 3.0 {you’ll love it!} and heard about our ride of the last year yet – it really is amazing to see where this path has led.