[tentblogger-vimeo 25094601]
***Update – This post has become a Series! Check out the Table of Contents at the very end of the post!***
As you can see my Home Office is in a state of utter chaos but that’s where it has to start, right? Heck, we moved in yesterday! But it’s not stopping me from being super-excited about the the opportunity to craft a unique writing and blogging environment that’s just perfect for the professional blogger.
In fact, this will be the first time that I specifically design the office around the unique needs of a blogger – my previous home offices were made for managing corporate jobs and were stuffy and very “typical” in their approach.
Here’s a look at how it was when my wife and I first took a look at the house before we made the buy:
Not too bad looking, right? It’s the first room in the house and it has some neat shelves to each side of the functional fireplace. A few nice leather chairs complement the overall decor quite nicely!
But I can guarantee you that it won’t look like this when I’m done with it!
Dream With Me!
I’d love for your advice! This blog was built upon the back of the community and I’d love for your feedback, thoughts, and ideas on what to include in this Problogger Office! I’ll take any suggestion at this point in time:
- Desk? No desk?
- Accompanying furniture, other neat stuff
- Anything flora-related?
- Tools, other gadgets
- Computer setups
As I mentioned in the video to the left (from the view of the above picture) is a family room and the front entrance is also to the right. I’ll have to consider these things as well as I build it out. We’ve got some original french doors (home was built in 1925!) which we’d love to restore perhaps.
If you’ve got links to examples, products, and anything else I’ll take them! I’m excited to get started but I’m going to need your help!
Follow The Build Out!
It’s become quite apparent that this is creating a neat series of posts and more than a few of you have asked that I create a table of contents so someone could track through them from start to finish. Great ideas guys!
So, here it is:
- Part 0 - Basement Blogger… No More!
- Part 1 – A Mess!
- Part 2 – Desk?
- Part 3 – Wall Color?
- Part 4 – Comfort Mat?
- Part 5 – Slowly Creating Space…
- Part 6 – Standing Desks Hurt My Feet!
- Part 7 – It’s the Small Things…
- Part 8 – Power Cords
- Part 9 - Fixing Up French Doors for My Office
- Part 10 – Flora?
- Part 11 – Thoughts on White Boards?
- Part 12 – Small Update to My Standing Desk
- Part 13 - Sofa or Couch in Your Home Office?
- Part 14 - Should I Have a Coffee Machine in My Home Office?
- Part 15 - Do You Have Any Art in Your Home Office?
- Part 16 - What’s Your Music and Audio Setup in Your Home Office?
- Part …? We’ll know when we’re finished!
Thanks all!
I don’t care what you do as long as it supports copious amounts of coffee consumption and planking (for Fridays, of course).
+1 for planking.
Confession… I had to google “planking”.
confession… John planks 4 times day.
this is not true. 5 times.
Me too.
and for the lazy people here’s the definition.
“The lying down game (also known as planking, or face downs) is an activity, popular in various parts of the world, consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body, and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the Internet is an integral part of the game.”
Sounds fun!
I should try it. LOL
Confession… I’am lazy.
Thank you for that, Brian.
hahaha.
haha. seriously.
dude flatscreen over fire place, with a decorative frame so it can be a piece of “art” or a dashboard/game center.
my favorite chair - freedom
of course a lounge chair for intense napping.. i mean blogging – Eames Lounge chair
some bad ass lighting.
- floor lamps
- pendent
a desk that would totally fit you
- fold desk
dang. i’m glad to have you as a friend.
Yeah, i would just let Jared do your decorating.
seriously, right?
I agree with Brian.
Those are the dream items for an office. Without the flat screen, it only totals to a little over $12,000… haha
……… great! i’ve got all that cash sitting around the floor ready to be used…..!
You should definitely have large amounts of caffeine in some form. Coffee or Monster? What about one of those ergonomic desk chairs that you straddle?
…… yes, but what tools? what coffee makers?
Well, as far as tools. You’re gonna need some routers flashed with dd-wrt so that you can set one up as a wireless switch using bridged mode. Then you won’t have the clutter of wires running across the room while still having the option of setting up dev
you are right sir… but.. i mean, caffeine tools.
Ahhh… stupid iPhone and fat fingering. Anywho, you’d have the option of setting up devices across the room without having to run cable through the sealing, or across the floor causing clutter.
Ah…got it, well in that case, I’m a big fan of the Keurig’s or stocking up on Monster.
hhaa. i will definitely have a post on coffee…
Go with the standing desk! I just made the switch in my office in cube world and love it! I don’t feel like a lazy bum by the end of the day.
http://thebarkerhouse.net/switching-to-a-standing-desk/
wow……… i’m now considering this seriously… reading your post.
Standing desk and first name FTW!
which one do you have?
Sitting desk, with a DIY standing attachment at home. At work, we are moving offices and getting new furniture in the 6-8 months. So I’m waiting on that change before I switch to standing/sitting at work.
sweet. let me know when this happens.
Haha. Good call on the first name. Well, guess that wasn’t your call, but yeah.
YES! Standing Desk – new “me want”! That would definitely solve my back problems…. but I woudl have aching feet…. a standing desk and foot spa – ultimate home office!
ah, now wouldn’t that be nice.
Ok, I am going to pimp myself a little bit here. One thing you need, is a framed print of one of these images on your wall:
http://whentimeisfrozen.com/florida-evening-skies/
Pick one and I will send you the hi-res file.
The 4th one down, with the rocks-that one would be perfect for an office. Beautiful enough to offer serenity, especially in the black and white. I think often beach shots are gorgeous, but they just make me sad that I’m not in that shot. LOL You need some artwork that allows you to be in the moment, and I think this one would work. #my2cents
definitely some artwork is necessary… for sure!
Ooo! The possibilities! I definitely think that you need to have both an option for a desk and also a more comfortable seating arrangement for when you are wanting to chill.
Perhaps a high backed armchair with a poofe? That is certainly my favorite setup for blogging!
Also, I don’t know what the weather gets like in Atlanta, but for me when it gets hot I love to have an air conditioning unit, or a fan at least, and it must be remote controlled – duh!
Enjoy getting set up!
…
i sweat… a lot. gross.
Totally need a slushie machine
Slushy machine, FTW!
If that fireplace works you’ve got to go for a traditional smoking jacket with matching brandy and decanter!
http://www.smokingjackets.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Burgundy_1.html
You don’t even have to smoke, you just need to wear it and stand there like a boss!
obviously…
oh yeah, now that’s got some class right there!
if you ship me one i’ll wear it.
#win
I am picturing your future video posts in a big leather chair by the fire with a pipe in your mouth. Do you have a smoking jacket or robe? Ok, make it a Jedi robe.
I like having a desk, but that is not my best creative work space. You will definitely need a comfy couch that is awesome for nap taking. I use power naps to generate ideas and pick up an energy boost when I need it.
… jedi robe +1!
What a great space! I love all the windows, but I know some people don’t (my husband specifically)
but what about some kind of window covering that would let you change the amount of sunlight that comes in? Layered curtains or blinds of some kind…
It would also let you alter the natural light you use when shooting more Tentblogger videos in here.
Does the fireplace work?
the fireplace does work… i need to hire a chimney sweep to come and clean it out though…
It’s not like on Mary Poppins, is it?
Jen…I thought the same thing about the lighting. Def need a way to control the lighting, especially if you like to blog in a cave at times.
you’re right. i like natural sunlight though.
Move is a 4-letter word, IMHO. But it looks like you’re halfway there! Congratulations on the house. Looks like a nice bright room, which I like. But you may need to look at light control, depending on how you set up your desk/not desk work area.
thanks bonnie! am considering it, for sure!
You can’t go wrong with an Ikea hack.
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2010/11/waooouu-how-did-you-find-tv-that-fits.html
this section looks pretty good:
http://www.ikeahackers.net/search/label/work%20station
Two words: Water Slide. I’m thinking you should certainly have a water-slide installed in that bad boy!
In all seriousness, you’ve written before about how you do a lot of work at starbucks. Have you thought about forgoing the desk and just putting in a couch? It depends what you use your office for, but if you do most of your “desk work” at starbucks (or some other great place) then it might be better to make the office more of a thinking room.
Good luck! I’m excited to see what you do with it
i’m going to definitely have an awesome couch… for napping.
I say you just pitch a tent in the middle of the room and call it a day.
….. you have no idea how much this made me #LOL.
I’m not crazy about the crazy amount of light coming through the windows beside the fireplace. What time of day did you shoot the video? Is it that bright all day long? Might take that into consideration and getting a different syle blind or something.
It’s your choice there. Do you like natural light or would you prefer it to be darker?
this was really early. i’m going to do some more posts on lighting…!
Just be sure to remove that Hello Kitty wand thingy and the box of Huggies. Those would be really distracting for me as a blogger-not a good vibe for clarity. hehehe
I think the most important things are a calm and uncluttered environment. The less stuff you have in there the better! But, def have some kind of artwork for inspiration-whatever inspires you the most. I def like what Jay has to offer.
i love hello kitty!
SAD!!!!!!!!
Nyan much? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2-TGUlwu4
Great for planking and blogging. –> http://bit.ly/iKGdWL
wow, $2k for that table! i just threw up in my mouth, nevertheless: want.want.want.
Or you could go low-brow: http://bit.ly/mR5ltN
Ooh…that’s compelling, as is this: http://www.coffeetablesgalore.com/coffee-tables/rectangle/espressolifttopcoffeetable1.cfm
inspired to do something big & bold with my living room (hopefully soon to double as an office).
ahhhhhhhhh nuts! like it!
do you have a gravatar? http://tentblogger.com/gravatar/
John, my local Target sells that exact one I think. I know I’ve seen it there.
……
When I saw ‘request a quote’ where the price should’ve been, I immediately clicked the ‘back’ button on my browser
hahahah.
That was cool!
an aeropress and some good coffee…..
a water source and kettle…..
1x cup
that is all!
yes.
you sir are brilliant. yes. i will have a post about accessories like this…. :0
A standing desk. Sitting all day sucks.
yup yup!
How about a poster-size mural of miniature pics from the Tentblogger community that reads “Tentblogger”?
this is a great idea… i wonder if there’s a way i could do this digitally….. thoughts?
I wrote my books by lying the random pages out on the floor and organizing/editing them into a cohesive story – surely you have the passion to print and do some real old school Cut & Paste? You have the space now…
Hang a spider plant! One of the best plants for removing pollutants, improving your indoor air quality
you mean these?
#ROFL. just kidding. yes, i’m going to have to do more thinking about the flora.
Love the space, can’t wait to see the end result. For me, music is a must – so a cool ipod/iphone dock or something with some good ‘ATL shawty’ speakers would be cool. . .you know, for those daddy/daughter dance parties and such.
you are right on! will have a post on music systems…!
If an Ikea store is within reach, I think you can find some inspiration here: http://www.ikeahackers.net/
someone else recommended this. great site!
I found a set of chairs for you:
http://creativegreed.com/inspiration/the-inception-chair.html
yeah… i’ll be buying that……..!
no desk but gathering table and definitely a stand up option. I use a standup table from Ikea and go back and forth…
AWESOME space and options…. You MUST build in office space for your daughter
Have fun!
haha! she has a little area… but including her would be fun!
I will be moving in a couple of weeks and I am so excited about the office space that I am going to create. Oh, the capabilities… FOr me it’s going to be coffee maker, nice desk and chair, white board, and some inspiring/creative art.
ah. you’re right! let me think about those.
How about a backdrop, mini-studio corner for your video posts that you can change-up and put Where’s Waldo “find-its” in the background. Also – my dream for a home office is one huge wooden table – in the middle of the room – that can serve as a desk and workbench. I spread out… I also think an inspiration wall is essential…big bulletin board type of thing that you can stick idea stuff, pictures, etc. on.
katy,
i’m thinking about these things too…1
I echo the thought of having both kinds of desks. I have a large built in desk that houses a few monitors & external storage (for photo editing). I also have a minimalist wall mounted stand up desk, so I can mix it up. Too much sitting is bad, but the same can be said of too much standing.
The stand up system consists of a wall mounted monitor at eye level, a shelf at chest/stomach level to house notepads, books, docked laptop, and a pull out shelf at your elbow 90 degree level. The pull out shelf helps you get away from the monitor to a safe distance but allows the unit to be fairly compact if you are not using it.
Best advice I have is to think out and demo a bunch of different options before committing. It is way too easy to be laser focused on one concept only to find that it doesn’t work for you long term.
Exciting times!
Yep! love my standing desk! Definitely need to sit down a bit, too. Sounds like a neat setup you have. Got any pictures?
can i see a pic!?
Nice vid John. The sound is clear enough (the background noise of your family remains background), and that’s the main thing for a good blogger video I think. You get away with the ‘home video’ style footage because that’s in a sense what it is – showing us around your home! So, besides from the technical side, what do you think makes a good blogger video? As in what should it be trying to do?
Actually, I would perhaps make the comment that the video is a bit too long. I think this is probably the case for most blogger videos – though your vid is much better than the average blogger video I’ve seen (so many take 5 minutes to say what they could have in 1).
how long? i typically try to keep these types less than 90 seconds.
good ‘rule’ to stick by John – I’d maybe even think about going for less than 60 seconds, unless you really need the time for more information or visuals. The shorter time helps discipline the video and cut out unnecessary stuff. It’s kind of like you’re editing it without editing it. Again though, it all just depends on what you’re trying to do with the video. If you think you need 2 mins, go for it! But use all the 2 mins well; use them with purpose.
how would you recommend me learning to edit videos… to cut out the “ums” and pauses?
In your words: “Just start”. Have you got a mac? If so, just start with imovie (or windows equivalent if you’re pc inclined). Once you’ve got your footage in the time line, then the main way to work out what needs to go is to listen. The ums will be obvious, but not always possible to cut out (eg if they’re mid sentence). You’re listening for the flow and rythm of the dialogue. If things are repeated or unnecessary (like too long a pause), then cut it out.
There’s two main ways I use to cover these cuts. One is to insert some other footage (a ‘cut-away’) over the top, preferably that relates to the dialogue. For example, in your video about your office, if the shot had been on you talking, and you had cut out a big pause, then you might cover the cut with some footage of a lamp/chair/whatever you had been talking about. The second way is a simple quick fade to black between the shots. You’re not trying to hide the fact that there is a cut, but this will be less jarring than a straight cut or a dissolve. I especially would avoid cheesy transitions (like a star-wipe… ewww). Does that help?
The difficulty is that once you start trying to edit, it’s going to take time – and usually it will take longer than you think. So the best editing you can do is before you shoot. Know what you’re going to say and know it well. Plan your shot (you should be able to ‘watch’ your future movie in your mind). If it’s a short 60 second thing of you speaking, it will take far less time to shoot it five times than it would to edit one video.
I thought the vid was fine. To get into definitive lengths of video seems a little overbearing. 90 seconds as a bench is great.
Don’t think this one was too long. When doing an off the cuff piece like this it doesn’t warrant coming under the same scrutiny as a slick high end piece. It is just a quick vlog.
It’s easy to fall into a trap of over thinking a quick video like this and to have to think too much about edits undermines the concept of a quick vid.
Love you vids John. You do these vlogs really well.
thanks mark, i really appreciate that. i try to keep it real and unplugged but i’m also always down for improving. this was very encouraging….. thanks!
mike, i’m such a noob. i’m so sorry… but these things might seem easy for you but i’m suchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh a noob i’m not even sure how to do the cuts.
seriously… i’m an idiot.
one of the things that i’m known for is not doing much planning… almost at all. it’s like grinding teeth to plan for blog post series…! and that’s only because i’ve been doing it for 10+ years!
i really appreciate this.. i’m going to try some editing on my future videos…….. PLEASE provide some awesome feedback like you had on these… and trust me, i can wear my big boy pants. not afraid of getting kicked in the groin!
You’re a pretty awesome Noob then John. I agree with Mark above – I think you’re video was great (and so was only nitpicking at your request). If you’re keen to learn the basics of editing, then check out these:
• imovie (mac) – http://www.vimeo.com/videoschool/lesson/33/video-101-editing-with-imovie
• Movie Maker (PC) – http://www.vimeo.com/videoschool/lesson/23/video-101-editing-with-windows-live-movie-maker
I haven’t watched these through, but the Vimeo Video School usually has good tutorials.
All I meant by pre-planning was something like writing down the points that you want to say in the video, so that when you film you’re not just rambling over the same stuff (not that I think you did this, but I reckon it’s definitely a tendency for vbloggers and people making tutorials). It will also help cut out ‘um’s a bit more.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. sweeeeeeeeeeet!
killer links!
John, congrats on the house! Moving is tough (we did it a year ago)… but watching your new home take shape is AWESOME!!! So exciting that you’re thinking through your new office design… I aspire to join you in being able to kit out my own home office!!! Today I am just super thrilled that my blog (which I started a month ago) got 58 hits!!! Best yet!
I know your numbers are crazy large… but hey, like you say… it’s a marathon, not a sprint! 
I’m just glad to be bucking my trend and ACTIVELY working towards making one of my dreams a reality! 
Anyway… this is about your home office… not me!
So… I think you definitely need some form of blinds (preferably ones that have a remote control), you definitely need a flat screen above the fire that will serve a multitude of purposes (your presentation screen for 8BIT meetings etc, TV/ movie watching, and when not in use it can be your digital picture frame… or you can make it your digital fish tank!!! Because as a digital tentmaker you TOTALLY need a digital fish tank!), and then of course the desk issue… I think you need an adjustable desk which you can change between sitting/ standing desk depending on your desire that day! Oh how I would love one of them! And don’t forget an ergonomic desk chair (while starbucks is great and all… you should be working on your posture at some stage…)
That’s just my two cents! Thanks again for all your awesome brain dumps through this blog!!! I’m learning heaps!
haha! fish tank! my friend has a real one… a digital one…?
John, Don’t forget the technology corner, supported by a power line conditioner and backup battery. (Assuming you are still using some of the old technology like PCs and Servers.) And sturdy wooden racks. Wooden so they won’t interfere with your wireless transmissions.
The standing desk mentioned earlier is a good idea, especially if you don’t have the discipline to take a walkabout every hour or so.
Hope this helps. Boyd
boyd,
thanks man! i’m looking at some racks… for sure.
You should add one of these… lol
http://churchm.ag/computer-window-wall-sticker/
OMG. #LOL