ecoLIVING London

This is second of my three part series about creating a multipurpose room that works as a peaceful office, meditation and yoga space.

Let’s Start with Fixing
Saying I need to fix stuff in my office/yoga space creates an image of broken stuff all over the place. That’s not the case. However, my intentions are short circuited by half completed decorating projects, jumbled work area layout, clausterphobia inducing visual clutter. Well, if the projects haven’t risen to the top of my to-do list in over a year then they are probably not very important. Right? I’ll put them and all the clutter in the garbage. With my nose to the grind stone, I’ll make do and work in a bare room. There’d be no distractions. That’s peaceful, isn’t it?

Wait! I started the projects because I wanted this room to be peaceful and beautiful! Beauty inspires me. Beauty is why I’m an artist. It’s what connects me to people who love my work.

I remember something I learned last year: doing the things that are important to me, but not urgent, brings fulfillment. Peace of mind is important to me. And a beautiful work environment.

What I want for myself is the same as what I create for other people, spaces that are beautiful, that are healthy, that live and breathe a sense of peace. This is very important. I could go about my business without beauty and still accomplish stuff but I know it would not be joyful and, from experience, it probably wouldn’t be done with ease.

Organizing
Notes on photos and a floor plan, with furniture shapes that are to scale, help me re-design my office/yoga room. I measured the furniture, scaled them and cut the shapes out of sticky notes so I can easily try them out in different locations. No design software required.

I considered moving my huge desk (a gift from my 85 year old father-in-law that was passed down from his father) because it is the first thing you see when you look in this room. It is usually cluttered from ongoing projects. After playing with the furniture cut-outs on the floor plan it was the only place the desk could go and allow me to still have space for yoga.

Now to get serious about making this space a less stressful work area. Because I am so visual, writing on photos helps me stay on track with my plans.

Quick Eco-Cleaning
Mini-blinds: Wrap a spatula with a soft cloth and secure with a rubber band. Dip it in rubbing alcohol and rub it over the slats in the blinds. This removes the grime that settles on them, without having to wrestle them into the tub to hose them off.

Glass surfaces (windows, mirrors, glass picture frames): Spritz surfaces with vinegar and water and wipe with a soft towel. Buff with newspaper.

Carpet: Use alcohol based hand-cleaner to remove small stains. Sprinkle baking soda all over. Let sit for at least 15 minutes. Vacuum. Fresh!

Computer: Turn it off. Vacuum keyboard and printer gently to remove cat hair and other detritus. Use a soft cloth dampened with a bit of rubbing alcohol to clean the keypad and other surfaces of the computer. This method is good for your phone and other electronics.

Dusting: Here’s an old timely idea, dampen a soft cloth with water and wipe shelves, cob webby corners, base boards. For wood surfaces that are not sealed use a drop of lemon oil instead of water.

I’m making some things to add to my multi-purpose room to complete the transformation. Next week see photos of the completed project in my last post of this series, Decorating: In with the New (or should I say, in with the repurposed and new-to-me?).

If you enjoyed this article, you'll want to read the first in the series entitled Taking Stock: Out with the old

Lois Ward is the designer behind goodlines: decor for earth and home. She received her Masters of Fine Art in printmaking from Bowling Green State University, Ohio. She is a printmaker and artist who loves textiles, the feel of natural fibers, exciting contrasts of patterns, and unexpected colour combinations. Lois rises to the challenge of designing homes and home accessories with the Earth’s well-being in mind.