apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I relax in the living room. I've made a deal with myself not to bring work home (I'll just stay late at the office if I need to meet a deadline), and because I have chronic insomnia, the bedroom is ONLY for sleeping (no TV, no reading, etc.) -- so the living room is my relaxation spot. Lots of candles, my iPod in a sound dock, windows that face an old stone church. Plenty to get me relaxed.

When I was a kid, though, I shared a room (about the size of the one pictured) with my younger sister. When I was 13, my parents let me set the closet up (it was a walk in) to double as my study space - I took out some of the shelves on one wall, but left one at 'desk' level and another about 3 feet above that. The lower shelf became my desk with a desk lamp, books, stationery etc., and the upper shelf held a stereo and more books. On the wall above the desk shelf, I put all my posters of Shaun Cassidy and Parker Stevenson and Andy Gibb (yeah, totally showing my age here...). I could close the door, put headphones on for the stereo, and study (or draw, or read) while my little sister took over the bedroom with her friends. It was awesome.

ha! love the girl in lotus pose in the closet!

My boyfriend laughs because I often lie on the floor to relax and, of course, fall asleep.

Ha, I find that photo creepy. Like the person is hiding in there...

This picture REALLY creeps me out.

On a brighter note, I love the idea of creating a relaxing, personal space...

is that the hotel duc de ste. simone in paris? sure looks like it.

Now that I am a grown up and live alone I don't feel the need to have a "place" all my own. But in middle school we lived in a house with a closet uner the stair that was acessed through the living room not from the hallway, because of the door placement there was a good deal of space behind the hanging coats I spent many a hour hiding out and reading in that little nook. Seeing that girl sent me back to a favored childhood place.

I hadn't thought about childhood/teenage bedrooms when I wrote this post, but that's a great point-- a time that most of us really need time to ourselves (as we develop into adults). Thanks for sharing your stories!