You know what I apparently forgot to consider when planning my new home office?
The width of the doorway.
I had this whole plan for my silver kitchen island. I was going to move it into the office and use it as extra workspace and storage for my creative business. It made perfect sense in my head.
Except the island is about 29½ inches wide, and the doorway is roughly 27 inches.
Well, that's not going to work.
And that's how I discovered that just because you have a perfectly good plan doesn't mean your furniture is going to cooperate.
I'm officially living in my new countryside home near Bellingham, Washington, and I'm so happy to be here. If you haven't seen the moving video yet, I finally get to show you around the house and bring you along for those first days.
Figuring Out What Actually Works
One thing I'm realizing is that moving into a new house isn't just about getting everything unpacked.
It's figuring out how you want to use the space.
And I don't necessarily mean decorating it beautifully, although I certainly want to do that too.
I'm talking about the practical stuff.
Where am I going to put my grain mill so I can actually use it without having to move three other things out of the way? How should I arrange my desk so I can look outside while I'm working? Where will I paint? And where am I going to put all the supplies for The Story Post?
I have a lot of things happening inside this little business of mine, and having enough room to spread out was one of the reasons I wanted to move.
But I'm also very aware that just because I have more space doesn't mean I need to fill every inch of it.
I actually like having empty space around me.
I like walking into a room and not immediately seeing a dozen things that need my attention.
And honestly, after years of living in an RV and then an apartment, it's pretty wonderful to have some breathing room.
I'm Trying Not to Buy Everything at Once
I've already started making a list of things I'd like to get for the house.
Better lighting, for one. My existing lamps don't quite do the job in the larger rooms.
I'd also love a dining table, and I'm thinking about checking Facebook Marketplace before buying something new. I really enjoy finding things secondhand, particularly furniture that has a little character.
Then there's the kitchen.
I have plenty of cabinet space, but some of my appliances don't fit where I originally imagined they would. So I'm still playing around with different ideas for organizing everything.
And yes, that kitchen island is still part of the conversation.
I keep reminding myself that I don't need to decide all of this immediately.
I can actually live here for a while and see how I use the rooms before spending a bunch of money.
A Few Things I'm Paying Attention to Before Buying More
I thought I'd share a few practical considerations I've been making as I settle in. Some of these I knew before moving, and others became rather obvious afterward.
1. How I naturally move through a room.
I want my furniture placement to make daily life easier, not just look pretty. I'm paying attention to where I reach for things, where I work, and which areas I actually use.
2. The measurements. All of them.
Not just whether something fits against a wall, but whether it can get through the doorway in the first place.
Apparently, that's important. I can't believe I missed that one!
3. What I need versus what I think I need.
I'm trying to give myself a little time before purchasing additional furniture or storage. I'd rather figure out what's missing than bring home something that eventually becomes another thing I need to store.
4. Keeping the views I love.
One of my favorite things about this house is being able to look outside and see the trees. I don't want to arrange furniture in ways that block those views just because a particular corner happens to be convenient.
5. Making space for both work and rest.
I love my creative business, but I also want room for painting, knitting, reading, cooking, and doing absolutely nothing if I feel like it.
Those parts of my life are just as important as having a functional office.
And Then There's the Outside
I think this might be what I'm most excited about.
Being able to step outside with Georgie and enjoy the quiet, the trees, the birds, and those beautiful misty Pacific Northwest mornings.
I've spent so many years traveling and waking up in places surrounded by nature. I missed having that experience as part of my everyday life.
Now I don't have to pack up my little home and drive somewhere to find it.
It's right outside the door.
Of course, Georgie has her own opinions about the new surroundings. There's an awful lot of sniffing to be done, and apparently she's taking that responsibility very seriously. Including pee'ing on every little thing she can and can you believe I caught her eating deer poop?!?! How can she love the smell of chicken and my food and then go outside and love to eat deer poop or better yet roll around in some foul smelling dead thing on the ground? And this is the face I kiss every day.
Anyways......
I'm just looking forward to seeing how our daily routines develop here.
There's still furniture to figure out, things to unpack, and a growing list of little projects.
But I'm not in a hurry to make the house look finished.
I'd rather live in it for a while and let the decisions happen naturally.
And maybe find my tape measure before making any more grand furniture plans.
A Little More From My Studio
The extra creative space is also going to be wonderful for The Story Post, my monthly snail-mail club.
Every month I put together a little envelope filled with a personal letter, artwork, and thoughtful things you can enjoy away from a screen.
If that sounds like your kind of thing, you can learn more here.
Join The Story Post Snail Mail Club - It's a fun way to get a unique art print that I create, a personal letter by me, slow living prompt card, recipe card, and a few extras each month.
I'm curious about something. When you move into a new place, do you like to get everything arranged and decorated immediately, or are you someone who needs to live in a space for a while before deciding where everything belongs?
I think I'm discovering I'm a little bit of both.
