Tour the new office — it won’t take long.

January 24, 2018

37  comments

I promised earlier I’d show you my updated office. Here it is when we moved in this past summer and it was painted apple green. Now, I happen to like apple green, so if you have a house painted this color, please know I think you are groovy. But for this tiny office, I wanted to put my own touch on it. So . . .

Ta-da! The walls became blue and colorful valences (sewed them myself!) and a rug that almost perfectly matches.  I asked my husband, “is it too much?” And he said, “yes, but so are you.”  That’s his favorite thing to say.

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I think I should paint the chair white, and yes, it’s comfortable. It was in my parent’s house for years, and I hate to paint it because I’m hoping I get the other three sometime in the future! — What do you think?

A clever caricature from AL.com political cartoonist, J.D. Crowe, and my Phi Mu certificates ( one for academic achievement – ONE — 1, one.) hide power cords and make me smile. The green container full of my reading glasses belonged to Fannie Flagg.

Favorite books and a spooky porcelain doll head . . .  just because it freaks my son out. All my state SUPERIOR medals from high school band. — The next best thing to being Miss America.

The antique light fixture was Bob’s grandmother’s and originally painted pastel colors. Although it still has some rough age spots,  I dabbed on new paint to match the deeper colored window treatments and rug.

 

I have little do-dads everywhere just because they make me happy. I need to find tiny photos for the itty-bitty silver frame, but it’s pretty even without photos, so I keep it there for now. The office is used for writing my weekly column, book headquarters of the world, and homeschool. The cabinets are large, but outdated with sliding drawers for old time computers, so we may redo those at some point. Our printer fits in one compartment, but it’s a tight squeeze.

 

Just a little motivation for the day, and a favorite photo of us with Bobby Bowden (love that coach). The picture at the bottom is an old one of my brother in high school that makes me giggle every day,  because it looks so much like my son Joseph.

 

My MKA – Mary Kay Andrews coaster keeps my coffee from slipping and is another way to stay motivated! She taught me the value of sitting my bohunkus in a chair every day and getting the work done — even if it happens to be in a tiny speck of an office! The greeting card is from my dear 98 year old friend Jule.

 

My grandparents traveled all over the US and many foreign countries and would always bring me a doll from their trips, so now I have a place to keep them.

I’m forced to separate some of them. The Moroccan and Amish dolls keep trying to convert each other,  and the cowgirl laughs at the Indian/Native American and tells her she’s outdated and politically incorrect, and Miss Alaska just keeps whining, “I’m hot in this coat!” — I just close the door so I don’t have to listen to them. Miss Germany on the top shelf, in the back has just fainted from the stress of it all. Bless her heart.

 

 

I put a roll of cork on the side of this cabinet to pin things. Extra credit if you spy my blue ribbon from the Baldwin County Fair for baking cookies.

 

The hound-dog/Gayfers ad is from a sweet reader who worked in the art/advertising department of our favorite department store and gave it to me last year when I spoke at The First United Methodist Church in Pensacola. the frame didn’t work when I moved, so I need to get it reframed, but I still love looking at it every day.

 

The greenery outside is a huge satsuma tree that attracts giant butterflies.

 

There isn’t much wall space, but I had to hang my autographed Mitford Map from Jan Karon, and my Mary Poppins paper dolls found a spot as well. (love). I’m still so in shock about having a real-honest-to-goodness book of my own, that I saved the poster Page and Palette made for my book signing! (nerd). I don’t know what I’ll do with it, but for now, it sits in the corner. Come on now, how many times do you have your own poster?


And the story behind my personalized autographed picture from the President of the United States is, years ago, I met his main speech writer and book collaborator, Meredith McIver, and she brought this to me as a gift. I’ve always admired Donald Trump’s business savvy, and since he was just a famous regular guy, I kept the photo in the laundry room for years. When he became President, it got upgraded to my office. So happy he spelled my name correctly! Having the President stare at me and tell me to keep up the great work is another good source of motivation.

And yes, my childhood baton is in the corner. It helps to clear my head to take a break, step into the adjoining kitchen (with a high ceiling) and give it a spin and a toss. And yes, I really do.

 

Thanks for touring my cozy, tiny, minuscule office. Come visit me sometime! I’ll squeeze you in.

 

 

 

 

  • Belinda Stevens says:

    Who is the ‘Nole in your family??

    And yes — we need a video of that baton twirlin’!

    • My husband and I met at FSU. Greatest college around! As for Baton, there are photos, but no video. Yet. ha!

  • Leslie Anne, I just popped over to see if you’d be coming to the Dallas area with your book. I don’t see it on the list anywhere but if you do, be sure to let me know. We have a large group of bloggers here and we’d love to welcome you. 😉

    Your office is so pretty with the colors and I love all of your personal items. Those things spark creativity! You and I love all the same books and authors. Now I just need to read yours! Southern fiction is THE BEST!

    • Thank you so much Stacey! I’d love to be in the Dallas area someday. If you know of a great bookstore there let me know and I’ll see what I can arrange!

  • I’m McLovin’ everything about your adorable office. I’m all geeked-out over the autographed Mitford map….you lucky duck! And of course the photo of our President. I like the paint color, and the tole chandy really pulls everything together! 😀

    Thanks for sharing it. I love to see studios and offices of other creatives. Right now I’m reading Daily Rituals: How Artists Work and I’m finding it fascinating!

    Also, thanks for stopping by my blog!

    • Thanks so much. I used to get that beautiful magazine, “Where Women Create” – was that the name of it? It showed offices and studios of artists and writers. Maybe that inspired me. I don’t remember seeing anything this small!

  • Malinda Clay says:

    What a wonderful space! I just LOVE your humor and writing. Thanks for sharing your talents with the world.
    Malinda in Mississippi

  • I so enjoy your blog, Leslie Anne! I, too, am a columnist (with the Sarasota FL Herald-Tribune Style Magazine) and would LOVE your cozy office! My office is my daughter’s old bedroom and it just feels too big and spacious. I would adore something small and cozy to write in. Lucky you! Oh, and by the way, I was a majorette in junior high, but had to give it up in high school because you couldn’t be a majorette and a cheerleader at the same time, so I went the cheerleader route. I think I still have my baton, too!

    • So nice to hear from you Debbi! My last home office was the entire living room, and I was able to lounge on the sofa and write while sipping champagne and eating boiled peanuts. Now, I’m lucky to squeeze one peanut at a time into this office! I’ll zip over and check out your stories! Love the Sarasota area!

  • I am one of your Phi Mu sisters too (Alpha Kappa, College of Charleston) and was a majorette when I was a young thing. Your office is seriously cool, and I’m seriously jealous!!

    • Oh! But I’m jealous you were a real majorette! In my book, I tell about how I chickened out from moving into the big-girl majorettes because I was so skinny! Phi Mu hugs to you!

  • Salli Beasley says:

    Love your take on your dolls, hilarious!
    Still hoping to see you when we are in Fairhope from Marietta!
    Enjoy your little space, seems perfect for you’

  • What a wonderful spot to create! I love how you’ve filled it with your favorite trinkets and memorabilia! I spotted the Donald right away, how cool is that! We have a Nick Sabin signed photo and football which are HH’s great treasures! I am so disappointed to miss your signing in Bham, but hopefully I will catch up with you soon! Your office rocks, love the color and the chandy!! Happy creating!

    • Thanks Jenna. From an artist like you, I know you love color! If you are in Fairhope on February’s First Friday Artwalk, I’ll be signing books at WABF radio station. If not, call me sometime. We’re overdue for coffee or lunch!

  • I adore your office Leslie Anne, and it suits you. I see so many cute things and inspiration on all walls. Yes, I spy the blue-ribbon and I bet those cookies were delish. Cute pics everywhere and yes, your brother does have a nephew that looks a lot like him. I had to get up from sitting while reading this when I got to the doll collection, to funny and only you could think of those lines. Love the space and the darling Chandy from your husband’s grand. Love the colors too. Glad you have a really cool office, a great place for writing the next book 🙂 Hugs honey……….

    • Thanks Emily. It’s a bit more cluttered than the rest of my house (I swear!), but it keeps all the boys out and makes it more like my own little playhouse!

  • LOVE!!!! Your office is full of fun and interesting things. 40 years later my baton is standing in my closet. Occasionally I still do finger rolls and figure eights! Once a majorette- always a majorette.

  • Now this is an office with so much personality! You and I think alike, surround ourselves with all the things we love. You have so many of the same books that I do. Love the wals and window treatments. You are so creative!

  • Betsy Adams says:

    Pretty darn cute! You’ve got a little bit of “Mary Engelbreit” working there. Hope it makes you happy when you walk in and keep on writing. Love what you have to say.

  • Gloria Young says:

    You never ceases to amaze me. One day you must write about our adventures at MG. Start with the one where a sweet Lil girls girls out beanie got tossed about. Lol. Fond memories. So happy for you my friend.

    • There are a few stories in the book you may recognize about VBS and church cookbooks! You need to come over here someday and spend the day playing! We’d have so much fun!

  • I love everything about this, except the FSU stuff! Go Gators! 😉

    Seriously, I love how your personality shows through, even in an office. Thanks for sharing it.

    • Oh no! My granddaddy went to UF, so I’ve always had to battle the Gators. I would hide his Gator Christmas ornament every year. Grandmother would call me around March to tell me they found it! The ironic thing is I grew up and realized my two favorite colors are orange and blue! I feel disloyal!

  • I love your office! So cute! I enjoyed reading about the details. My grandmother used to bring me dolls from all the different countries she traveled to as well! Unfortunately, they’ve all gotten lost except for a palace guard from London. Great Donald story too!

    • Thanks Lise. I’ve been able to hold on to the dolls because I never really played with them. They were more for looking than cuddling. Perhaps that’s why they have such deep issues now!

  • Karen Roloson says:

    I like the touch of real wood (chair) even though I usually paint everything white. Love your office. The first thing I always do when visiting someone’s home is look at book titles with a glass of wine in my hand. Actually, the first thing I do is get a glass of wine and the second is to look at the book shelves. You have a great collection. Mine tend to have a higher body count but that is just me. I do have my complete collection of Shakespeare from college to put everything in balance though. You have inspired me to take a good look at my messy studio. Love you choice of bright colors and witty mementos from your past.

    • The books are just a smidgen of what is stacked in other rooms. Bob just told me I needed to thin out the books on one of our shelves in the guest room, but I thought it was like getting rid of children! I’ll have a glass of wine ready for you if you want to come look around!

  • Oh, and I like the chair unpainted. IT adds a little character.

    • Thanks. Karen also mentioned that, and she’s an artist, so the two of you have trustworthy eyes. Also, when and if we ever redo the cabinets, I don’t know if they’ll be white again.

  • It is definitely not over the top. It is perfect! I found so many goodies to stare at. I still miss Lewis Grizzard on a regular basis. Most will think I am completely weird, but I swear Fannie Flagg’s book Standing in the Rainbow is seriously in my top five books of all time and my favorite of hers. Even with the troubles of the world, I feel as if I am standing in the rainbow many days. IT is a mindset…I think.
    I loved all your little pictures. So many treasures in one spot. The light is perfect with the curtains and the blue.
    Great job.

  • We’re sistahs!!!….Phi Mu, that is!! How cool….and so appropriate that you have dolls that talk to each other and to you! Hahahahahahahaha……sign of a true Phi Mu!!!!

    • how fun to find sisters after you are out of college and into the world! I thought the doll thing was just craziness, but I’m glad to know it’s linked to sisterhood.

  • Adorable office and just suits you!! You have the best sense of humor. Let’s go to lunch soon

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