{Suzanne Kasler's SIC office via one of my favorites, nest egg... My office will not be this great, but I can dream}
It's been pretty tough running a business out of the house with an almost 3 yr-old and a 6 month old... I feel guilty when I'm working because I know they want me, and I feel guilty when I'm hanging with them because I have work waiting for me right there. Hopefully, getting the office out of the house will give me strict work hours and put a little bit of a chill on my workaholic tendencies. My goal is to keep work at the office and then when I'm home, I can really just relax and be home. I found myself wanting to go on vacations and get out of the house to relax and I realized that I now associate home with work. (Not that I don't love work... but I need my family time.) I want home to be just home.
I'm so excited about it and am 99.9% sure it's a 'go.' As you can guess, I'm already psyched to do my new office. The new office space is about to undergo a major renovation and the fun Victorian wing chair I found is the only piece I have squared away for sure (being reupholstered in a special fabric.) My office will be pretty small so I'll need to pack in a lot of function in a small space. I think I will have room for a massive inspiration wall. I've been reading Thomas O'Brien's American Modern and cannot wait to try out some of his ideas on it.
{Thomas O'Brien Image via Chic Coles, another favorite}
***UPDATE MAY 2010*** I never moved out of the home office!! :) It's been working out geat since my assistant came to work here & we have some more help with childcare. wahooooo
As a decorator & a textile designer, this is my place to muse... perfection doesn't interest me; Reality and charm do. Fresh floppy flowers from the garden over long-stemmed roses any day, I love it when things are slightly off and tell a story. 
56 comments:
Great Idea Lauren. I feel your pain as I have my office in my home now. When the kids were your age it was REALLY hard. Now that they are 11 and 13 it is so much easier because they can do so much for themselves now and involve me when they need to. The guilt is not so intense! Hang in there while the kids are young, it's hard but it will get easier! I admire you for putting your family first. You will never have regrets, I promise!!!
Lauren this sounds wonderful for you and your sweet family. It sounds like a really posetive step in the right direction. Good for you and kudos to you for keeping your priorities straight. I know what a struggle that can be on a young Mom or even an old Mom for that matter. Can not wait to hear the rest of the story,Kathysue
do not fret! enjoy your family and don't feel guilty about not blogging. you will never regret it...
can't wait for the other news, although your new office is awesome news in itself...best wishes to you...
We wish you all the best with your move of your office out of the house. Hope it will help you focus. Can not wait to see the new office.
this is terrific, lauren. you will feel like a brand new woman once this move takes place, i can assure you as someone who has been-there-done-that. my boys are now 2 and 4 and they don't mind me sitting on my laptop for an hour or so at a time. but the true work gets done away from home. i have my mama self and my work self, i nearly ran myself into the ground trying to do things any other way. looking forward to hearing of the transition. regards, femme de m - melbourne, australia
How exciting for you! I too am about to start a job that will take me out of my house - where I've worked in my home office for 16 years! The working conditions will be great but completely different from what I've been so used to - no more flip-flops during business hours, that's for sure. Can't wait to learn more details (and see your gorgeous new digs, of course!)
I totally can relate -- I practice law from home and it's a really tough balance that I struggle with daily! I can't wait to see the new digs -- I know its going to be fabulous!
Great decision. I'm sure you will garner huge amounts of creativity and quality in separating the two. Good move Mamasita!
You know you have hit it big when you can move out and start anew. I still work from home amid four children, it can be a struggle especially phone conversations.
Lauren, Congrats on taking the next big step! I work from home too and I know how challenging it can be even without kids (but a husband at home that I can't bear to neglect!) You are one of the hardest working women around. You deserve to have separate space for work and home. I can't wait to see the new office and finally get to hear your exciting news!
Lauren, congrats! This is a huge step but I am sure it will benefit both your family and your business. I've got to say I work way too much with my office in the house...and so much is done late at night....b/c even with a nanny in the house so I can work, I find the pull difficult. I cannot wait to hear more about your new digs.
It sounds fabulous!! Congrats and can't wait to hear more details! Small or not I know it will be fabulous. I recently had plans to "move out" of the home, but with the current economic environment too many obstacles got in the way. For me, it has turned out to be a blessing as so many other opportunities arose in it's place. Isn't it funny how things can work out? All the best for your awesome venture!!
Janell
I can understand your frustration. While working from home is a huge blessing it does have its limits. Good luck with the switcharoo.
So exciting, congrats on the big move!! My husband and I also work from home and it's true - it's easy to start to associate home with work. Can't wait to hear more about the new office space!
No worries - we're always here to catch up on your news whenever you have time to post! So exciting planning your move - I think that's always the best part - planning the space, decorating, organizing. oh yeah, then you have to work! : )
Congrats on your new office. Can't wait to hear the rest of your news.
Sounds like you have some great opportunities with your new office and spending time at home. Best wishes!!
I moved my office out of the house and into a studio almost 4 years ago, and I've had no regrets. The overhead of course is much more..new employees too, but I love having some place to go and spread out. It's also been fun for my clients to have some place to sit down with me. Congrats on the move. I think you'll see the business really take off when you have a dedicated space to work. (good luck not bringing it home with you though!)
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com
Lauren that is so exciting! Congratulations - how wonderful.
and, of course, i can't wait to hear the rest of the juicy details!
Good luck with your new office..how exciting!
Good luck with your new office..how exciting!
When my twins were 5, I shifted from full time worker bee to at home Queen bee, and then slowly added work, a site and do work from home. The blessing is to find balance but know that nothing is ever perfect so it is good to take the time now when they are little and set good routines and habits into place.
Good luck with finding the right balance and I can tell that you love both! It is ok to feel guilty trying to juggle. Help is also key. Ask for help!
pve
Awesome news....I know your new space will be beautiful! Remember Drew Barrymore's inspiration wall featured in Domino? That is one of my all-time faves. You're moving out..but moving up!
Very exciting! And, yes, isn't the SK office to die for!!!
It's hard finding the right balance between work & home when you work at home. Good for you for recognizing they need to be separated! Can't wait to hear the rest of the big news!
Have a great weekend! Jade
Oh great news! Congratulations :-)
I can't wait to see what you do with the new office!
That sounds like a great idea! Can't wait to hear more about it and see your new space.
What an exciting new adventure! Can't wait to see how you decorate it and how everything turns out! - Erica (friend of Jill @ LiveLikeYou)
You are making the right move,Lauren. Can't wait to see the new office space!
I can't wait to hear what is in store for you! I love following your career, it's such an inspiration for mine. Congrats on the new office!
Best of luck in trying to find that balance. It is so hard to set the boundaries needed to do work from home. A different space, away from home, will help you define where your focus should be at different times. I have big girls at home and I can't even justify my blog time sometimes when I know my time with them is so fleeting!
How exciting! Congratulations to you and your family! Even brighter things are in your future :)
Lauren, I am with you about how complicated it is to work from home...but at the same time, I wouldn't change it for anything! I can run to the office and work in my pj's sipping my cup of green tea and nobody knows that I am not all dressed up. It takes balancing acts and time management skills, but if I stay focused, I find I can do it! Hope your new adventure works out better for you.
How fun to have a new space to work from. I agree, working from home makes the temptation to never rest too great for us Type A peeps.
Have a great summer.
Karen
Garden, Home and Party
Lauren,
This is so exciting! I'm so happy for you and can't wait to hear all about the new space....and it sounds like perfect timing too.
Looking fwd to the chair reveal as well!
All the best,
J
Yay, how exciting!!! I bet it'll be absolutely gorgeous!!
xx
dagny
That's a big step and so exciting. I can NOT wait to hear what you've got up your sleeve! Happy weekend, Lauren! And oh yes, S. Kasler's office is ridiculous. Best. Office. Ever!
Very exciting! Good for you.
So exciting. I have done both and they have their pluses and minuses. I think that you will love an office away, especially with little ones so little. Can't wait to hear more!
we understand! You should concentrate on being a good mama! And it will be great to have an office where you can really focus!
Cant wait to see what you do with the new office! It's going to be FAB!
www.bazaarofserendipity.blogspot.com
You are a HUGE TEASE!! I am dying to know whats going on with the new office now! I hope you spill the beans soon!!
Congrats on the new venture, you are going to have the best office and I cant wait to see it! xoxox
You will never regret moving the office out....I did it with my previous business and never looked back....smiles.
Lauren! Good call... I tried to work from home for a while and it just ended up being a mess. Stacks of STUFF all over the house that my husband wasn't allowed to touch. There are so many "stacks" in this business... right? :) Time to move 'em on out! So excited for you and can't wait to see what office space you come up with. xoxo
Rachel
How fun, Lauren, for us to see yet another space of yours! Can't wait!
Good luck Lauren
Will look forward to seeing images of your new space. I am sure it will be beautiful.
How exciting! I can't wait to see it and hear all about it. congrats, -s
Love you office plans! And yes, I so understand your summer retreat...
Enjoy!
We are off to Europe in a few days, I will keep a travel log on my site, so come if you like and see where we are!
Much love!
Victoria
Lauren, I am just thrilled for this next step in your career and I hope it happens and know you will make it so beautiful! I do think you deserve to have a separate work realm to give both parts of your life 100% attention.
Enjoy the summer and concentrate on YOU and the boys and don't worry about us...we will be here when you are.
Always cheering for you old man,
xo Terri
so happy for you..i mean business growing and all.. but i cannot imagine how you handle it all... i think it is such a good idea to separate the two... i did it years ago and even though i do not have children... we have to put the pencil down...congratulations on your success ... you deserve it! xx
congrats lauren! that's very exciting. as a new at home business owner, I will be excited to see how the new space works out for you!
Congrats on the new office space - and love the pic of Suzanne Kasler's office! Can't wait to see what yours will look like!
You are doing the right thing!
The constant struggle of balance. Heart vs work - sometimes the line gets blurred.
I too love my work and adore my family and whilst my studio is here at our house, I sometimes curse the constant feeling of guilt for not being enough. Cloning would be great some days!
Sounds like you are making the right moves and changes. Best of luck with everything.
x Charlotta
That's exciting! I have always worked from a home office, so I know what you mean about feeling torn when the work space is right there, and so are the kids. Can't wait to see your new space and hear the rest of the juicy deets! :)
there is nothing quite like mother guilt is there - hope your new plan works fab for you hun
Lauren, that's just fantastic!! With four year-old twins, I totally understand the push-pull when you work out of your home. It's tough! So I'm thrilled for yo and I can't wait to hear the rest of the news!!
Just found your beautiful blog. New office???? You will LOVE it. I moved out of my home office and hired a full time assistant this past year and despite all the nay sayers (Everyone! - "the economy, you know"), I've increased revenue every month and have steady projects flowing in to cover all the monthly bills. It's scary, but well worth it. Clients, reps, even my other friends that are designers love coming in to visit. Good luck! Go for it!
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