When I started my Farm Chicks dream in 2002, we were living in an small old schoolhouse at the base of Mt. Spokane and all of my work was done from the sofa and kitchen table. After we built our first home, the laundry room doubled as my office at first, shared with the folding counter and eventually we carved out a little space in a nook the size of a closet. Colin would always joke and call it "Farm Chicks World Headquarters" because it was so tiny. I loved that space and made it really cute but I did start to dream a bit about having my "work" away from the living areas of our home, so that I wouldn't think about work when I was with my family. When we built our farmhouse, we decided to build an office for me that was separate from the house. At first, we continued to call it World Headquarters but after a while it sounded kind of weird to us because the new space is much larger and the joke just sort of fizzled out and the name fell away. My family simply calls it my office these days.
I like for my office to be very clean and free of clutter, to keep my mind clear and not distracted in any way. I remember when I shared a visit to Country Living Magazine headquarters a couple of years ago and some readers were surprised to see that the offices weren't decorated with a lot of clutter and were very clean and bright. When you're always coming up with new projects, material, and content, it's really wonderful to work in a space that's clutter free!
Dreams continue to be formed and manifested in this special space and I'm so thankful for the area to build large projects (like the installations for The Farm Chicks Fair), the natural light that always fills the space (even on the gloomiest of winter days), and the quiet that inspires me and allows me to form creative thoughts and plans.
Sources:
The Farm Chicks Sign: Recycled from an installation at The Farm Chicks Fair, made for me by Chase and Toby.
Hanging Barn Lights, 8 Compartment Cubbies, Cubbie Storage Boxes, Tall White Stools: Ikea
White Table and Plain White Chairs: Fred Meyer (Painted white by me and table covered with oilcloth from Cath Kidston).
Intricate White Painted Chairs: Purchased at The Farm Chicks Fair.
All of The Farm Chicks Posters are framed by Spokane Art Supply. Posters are available for sale each year at The Farm Chicks Fair.
Honey Tins: all vintage, collected by me over the years and gifts from friends.
Quilts: all vintage and acquired at The Farm Chicks Fair.
Grandma Green colored Furniture: Martha Stewart. (This line was purchased from Home Decorator's Club but similar is now being sold at Home Depot, found here).
HoWdY sign was handpainted for me by my dad, a copy of the original that hung in our Gypsy Wagon and was lost when our home burned down.
White Desk and White Chair: Pottery Barn.
Oilcloth on White Desk: Cath Kidston.
Serena Prize Ribbon: Handmade by Amanda Rydell.
Cheer Up Jar: Fishs Eddy.
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Between posts on my website, and all year long, I'm preparing for The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair. You can read alI about it here. I also document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.
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Enjoyed this so very much..
So nice that you gave your own place to dream and create.
Look forward to Farm Chicks every year with excitement.
What will I bring home! Love the first moment you
Walk through the doors and see all the magical displays.
Thank You for sharing, especially everyday life photos
of simple things to be thankful for..
You Inspire me😀
Posted by: Patricia Erickson | January 09, 2018 at 07:15 AM
Oh my 😍 I am inspired to go make something right now after looking at your amazing space. No wonder you come up with so many amazing things. This truly is an inspiring work place.
Posted by: Monica Greensides | January 09, 2018 at 07:16 AM
That was fun! What a lovely space. See you in June:)
Posted by: Cindy Holshouser | January 09, 2018 at 09:38 AM
Love your space so much !!! ❤️
Posted by: Amanda | January 09, 2018 at 02:13 PM
wow! it's very inspiring, so many things come to my head now, thanks
Posted by: Diana | January 10, 2018 at 03:16 PM
What an amazing space! It is so full of light and looks so pristine. Love the way you have decorated it too. My work space is the dining room table!
Posted by: Sue | January 24, 2018 at 02:19 PM