I love my office and I use it to surround myself with some of my favorite things. It’s a mix of garage/thrift sale finds, purchases from craft fairs, and one comfy chair that I purchased brand new.
The desk I found at a thrift store many years ago. It’s survived a few moves and the extra nicks didn’t matter.
The short bookcase I bought at a garage sale in Dayton, Ohio in the mid-nineties. Besides holding my books, it has two of my favorite paintings also purchased at a garage sale, and a bunch of small items people have given me. The tall bookcase I bought at a thrift shop in the early 2000s.
The first photo is from a craft fair, the second from a flea market in Seattle, and the third my daughter painted from a picture of us. I still have that red jacket.
This is from Citizen’s Police Academy run by Fairfax County. It’s the only time I’ve shot a gun. I shot twice and decided that was enough. Is it just me or does that target look a lot like Hulk Hogan?
Craft fair finds.
Yes there is a bullentin board under there. Lots of lovely memories on this board.
My mom took all of this from Mystery Scene magazine after I was nominated for an Agatha Award for best first novel.
My dad’s rocking chair, overflow books, an old computer, and two weavings from Côte d’Ivoire that a friend gave to me. I’ve always meant to frame and hang them.
More overflow books and an in progress photo reorganization. I have a huge bookcase in the basement that lines a wall and there are many books shelved on it, but I like having books near me too. I guess I need another bookcase!
And last but not least, a TV tray my parents received as a wedding gift.
Readers: Do you have a place where you’re surrounded by things you love?
The Wickeds 
I love all those found items, Sherry! My office is similarly where I have my special pictures, toys, books, and other beloved items, including my Agatha Best Historical teapot – and the stand-in pandemic teapot the Wickeds sent me to tide me over until Malice resumed in person. ;^)
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Thanks, Edith!
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Yes, my computer nook where my bookcase with my trophies are standing tall. I also have two paintings that a dear friend made for me on the opposite wall, so I look at it every day.
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That sounds lovely! I hope your recovery is going well!
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When we put an addition on our house I made a bookcase inset into the wall out of a window blocked by the addition. From my bed, I can see a photo of my Grandma, who was my comfort and joy growing up. There’s also photos of my kids. A favorite doll, an old diary, a paper maiche pig made for a school project, a little bank and a fox embroidered by my beloved aunt Mary.
And of course books! Favorite books I can’t part with, books waiting to be read, and children’s books to share when my grandson arrives ( any day now!) it’s the first thing I see when I wake up- such a nice way to start the day.
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Oh, what a wonderful place to keep treasures and congratulations on the soon to arrive grandson!
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Living room. Books and stuffed animals.
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It’s great to have them out where you can see them all the time!
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Once upon a time our favorite things were confined to our computer room. However, a little over 7 years ago and when retired, we moved to a favorite location and built our forever home. Smaller, but just right for the two of us. Downsizing meant “stuff” was either sold, given away or thrashed. With us, we took our treasures. Deciding that we weren’t going to hide our treasures away in some drawer or closet (we only have one huge one), we now have them spread through out our home. That way which ever room we are in, we can be surrounding by some of them. There’s my granny’s cowhide bottom rocker in the one and only bedroom and afghan blankets made by my Mom and quilts made by my Granny on a quilt rack. My Mom’s curios with her collection of frogs is in the computer room. The dining room china cabinet has three sets of china – my Granny’s, my Mom’s and the set hubby and I bought when we got married. The living area had a large square coffee table that has sort of a curio draw with a glass top that holds many smaller memories of several generations. Even the kitchen has things on display or use that bring special memories either from who or where I got them or thoughts of times used alongside my Mom or Hubby. In deciding what to keep or what to dispose of it had to answer 3 questions: does it bring back very fond memories, will it be used often or in the limited wall and shelf space, would it have a place. If yes, it got moved to be used and enjoyed. Otherwise it went by the wayside. It makes us both happy to be able to enjoy seeing our treasures daily where going into each space of our home is like flashes of fond memories of places, events and people.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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That is an excellent way to decide what to take and leave says the person thinking about downsizing!
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Sherry, I love the framed article your mother made for you, and your dad’s rocking chair, in particular.
My study is filled with furniture from Steve’s parents and aunt, including a wall o’bookcases. On which are mementos from trips around the world, by us, and by souvenirs from family members’ trips.
Karen in Ohio
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The framed article was such a lovely gift! I I wish my wall of bookcases wasn’t in the basement!
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Oh yes, mine is also my office. It holds my collection of all the little things I love that make me happy.
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It makes being in the office such a pleasure, right?
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I’m in the process of establishing an office at the Cottage. My desk is a custom one built by a friend and has a lot of personal things (a bunch of friends I’ve collected from Misty Simon, a chipped mug from a co-worker years ago with Marvin the Martian that I’ve turned into a pen holder, and my sloth Sherman). The chair is from the day-job (ergonomic and comfy). Right now the walls hold a couple of paintings, one from The Girl when she was in high school. I have a bulletin board that is now mostly empty, but it’s also obscured by a monitor.
I plan to finally frame and hang my college diplomas – soon (or so I keep telling myself).
Oh, and of course there is a bookcase that The Hubby found off Facebook Marketplace that is mostly full.
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That sounds perfect!
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What fun! What a delight to get to know you through a tour of your office things. I loved this, Sherry.
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Thank you!
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Your dad’s rocking chair is just so special.
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It is! I also have a chair that was my mom’s when she was a child.
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Sherry,
What fun to see some of your favorite things!! My office isn’t very much different.
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It makes for a great place to work!
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A very interesting post! And yes, it looks like Hulk Hogan.
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I always felt a bit guilty about shooting Hulk Hogan.
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I have an enormous white desk, big enough to fit my laptop and screen in the middle and still leave room for stacks of books and papers and many beloved objects and photos, including a paperweight that belonged to my father, a clay heart my son made in daycare (he’s 31 now!), and a small pencil sharpener from a work conference I attended in my twenties. Lots of good memories.
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I’ve moved little objects I love back and forth from the top of my desk to my bookshelf. It’s nice to have beloved objects close at hand.
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