I’m a wife. I’m a mom. I’m an expat living in Mumbai. I’m a blogger.
When it comes to work space, I’m a domestic nomad.
What I mean by “domestic nomad” is that I work at home and I have many spots I use at home as my work space. I might not have a job that pays me, but I proudly say that I work. Along with taking care of my children, managing home, and networking/socializing with friends, corresponding by email, editing photos, blogging, and managing social media accounts for my blog have been part of my daily work. One of the best things about having work you can do at home and having a laptop computer is that you can pick your work space depending on your mood. Therefore, I have several places in my home where I can call my work space and I move around with my dearest laptop from a spot to spot.
Here are the 4 spaces I use for work as a domestic nomad in my home.
STUDY
We have a study in our home in Mumbai. I often sit there and work. I share this space with my children. My children use this desk to study, use a computer or do crafts. This is also a desk where my oldest daughter works on her homework.
I painted the wall with the black chalkboard paint a long time ago. Since I painted after I had already posted my post on the study, I was not motivated to take photos to create a post just to show the after look. Until now. The reason for painting the small strip of wall to a black chalkboard wall is that my kids can play and draw on the bottom half. I have this chalkboard which I don’t want my kids to draw on as it is more of a decorative wall in our foyer. It works because my kids know that they are not supposed to touch that wall and they do use this wall in the study to draw. The top part is for me to write notes, reminders or quotes.
I recently did a small DIY on the back cover of the study desk which I have been wanting to do for month (actually it’s been over a year). This desk belongs to the landlord, and when we first moved in, this ugly brownish fabric covered board was standing on the desk to cover its back wall. You can see it in the photos below. Finally and finally! I recovered the board to give a fresher look. Please scroll down for “before & after” shots.
I also tidied up the desk and shelves. I could not stand having clutter on the desk, but I have procrastinated cleaning for many months. I didn’t find the look of the shelves inspiring, either, so I got rid of some stuff, organized, hid some books in other places and I feel much better!
I wrote an inspiring quote (photo below) which you can see the original here. It is pinned on my Pinterest Graphic & Typography board. The original design came from the the fresh exchange blog.
LIVING ROOM
Living room is probably my favorite place to work. I love it because it is open and bright with lots of natural light. I usually sit on the yellow couch, with my chai or water on the side and work. My husband likes to spend time in the living room at night usually watching a British football game (by the way, he’s American) or a movie while working on a computer, so I bring my laptop and that way I can spend time with him while I work on my computer. And I IM to my husband who’s sitting next to me. Just kidding.
KIDS PLAY ROOM
When my kids watch a movie on weekends, they watch in our kids room. When I want to be with my kids any time when they watch a movie or play in this room, I either bring my laptop or use our old laptop computers that we leave in this kids play room. It has missing key caps and a little messed-up touchpad, but it’s good enough to email, surfing internet and write a blog. I sometimes sit in one of the denim bean bags and work. In fact, that’s where I worked on part of this post late at night after my kids went to bed. Then I fell asleep while I was working. In the bean bag. I do that. Quite often. Don’t you?
MASTER BEDROOM
Lastly I also love to bring my computer and work in our master bedroom on my bed sometimes. It’s quiet and peaceful. When I need a calm relaxing time to filter my thoughts especially in the afternoon, I go there.
I hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of my work space.
Great blog Kaho! Love seeing we work’s website. And thank you for inspiring me to think about my workspace – I’m too embarrassed to look at my office, its a mess and seems to be full of the whole family’s junk. Every now and then I try to clean up and when I do I LOVE working in my office. But I would like more light and if I had to choose something to add to a working space – it would be a collaboration table. I am finding I work more and more at our dining room table (depending on our wifi…!!) but its light, airy and I love being surrounded by my nice furniture and all our things rather than books, files and junk in the office. I also love it when the family are at home and they are drawn to the dining room table where I sit. I think collaboration is the new style of working that has definitely evolved since I left the work/office environment. x
Thanks, Katherine! I always put off cleaning/tidying up, so it was great to have an incentive to do so!! Our creative mind gets influenced by the surroundings, doesn’t it?
Thank you for the wonderful tour 😉 All of your spaces are so tidy and chic. How do you keep your home so devoid of clutter?
I find myself working all over the house too. Where I go really depends on my mood. Isn’t it great that laptops allow us to make almost any kind of space into a work space? I’m so glad we live in this day and age 😉
Oh and to answer your question at the end, I think I’d add “a view.” That’s something that’s been missing from my work spaces as of late. If I could work somewhere that had an amazing view (ocean, woods, city, etc.) I think my mind would be clearer and I’d be able to work more efficiently than if I were in a room with no windows.
Miwa, it’s called “household help”! 😛 I’m loving my life here in Mumbai because we can afford to have a help at home! I’m very glad we live in this day and age, too. The view! Yes, that would be nice. We don’t have it here, either, but I am happy that I live in an apartment without any burglar bars which we had in Jakarta. The view is simply much nicer without bars!!
Wow, the difference of your fabulous “backsplash” fabric! It helps that the chair is already wonderful, ne? Love the before & afters. Well done. Looks like a very happy place.
Thanks, Melibelle!! I love before & after’s. My home is my happy place!
Hi Kaho!
Just discovered your blog today and I’m in love ^_^
I just have a question about those kiddie chairs in your study. They look like IKEA .. did you get those from India?
I’ve been searching like crazy for children’s furniture online. I should be coming to Mumbai at the end of this year. I can’t find a proper table and chair for my 4.5 year old.
If you have any suggestions please let me know.
Laura
Laura, thank you so much for finding my blog! You are right. Yes, these kids stools are from my beloved IKEA. I bought them before moving to India.
Are you allowed to bring some furniture? If so, I highly recommend bringing some IKEA furniture. If you can’t and have a big budget, you can hire a carpenter and copy some furniture.
If you would like already made, I have seen kids table set at Freedom Tree. You might want to check out the store.
Thanks 🙂 That was fast… Unfortunately I can’t carry any furniture and my budget isn’t huge either… but I don’t want to buy any Chota Bheem sets LOL! They are everywhere. I was looking for something simple. I will check the store you mentioned.
Laura, I see… Another idea is that there are expat groups in Mumbai. You can ask for a second hand. You might be able to find something that you can use during your stay. If I think of anything, I will let you know. For kids desk, I don’t know how expensive it is to make, but I will ask my friend how much she paid to have a desk made.
🙂 Thank you! That would be very helpful. I am part of Mumbai groups and constantly browsing.
You’re very welcome!! Good luck with your move! Please feel free to email me or ask me here if you have any other questions!