I originally posted this to my Tumblr. I’m putting it here as well. As you can see I’m a bit confused about what should go where, but ach. Whatever.
I would love to have a room of my own.
The room would be wide and long and white with a high, high ceiling. There would be a wooden floor. There would be a large, worn rug.
I would have a wide desk at which to sit and write and read and lay out new treasures. On the desk, which is wide and deep and happy to acommodate things, would live:
- some favourite stones from the Scilly Isles in Cornwall;
- a Dia de los muertos skull from Mexico;
- a red Anglepoise 1227 reading lamp;
- the wooden lion my sister brought me from South Africa;
- pens and notebooks;
- a few postcards and photographs;
- my mother’s old orange Olivetti Lettera portable typewriter.
The desk would face one of two large windows. There would be no curtains, drapery or blinds. The window would face fields with mountains in the distance, or the sea.
I would have a good office chair, something beautiful and functional and which doesn’t hate my back. I guess this means Eames.
I would have bookshelves taking up most of the wall space. The shelves would reach the high ceiling and I would have a rolling ladder to reach the higher shelves. I’m 5′ 5″, so the higher shelves would be most of them.
I would have books filling the shelves.
I would have maybe a few pictures on the empty wall. I haven’t decided yet which, but there would be a couple of old photos of my mum, maybe one of my Dad. There would be at least one really old map of the world and one of Jamaica.
I would have my old telescope set up in front of the window without the desk, with a low stool.
I would have an Eames Lounge Chair and ottoman in Brazillian rosewood and black leather, because I’d have to do some lounging when my brain stops functioning. In the lounge chair I would ponder and read and cook up schemes and day-dream. I might throw a sheepskin on the lounger in the winter.
I would have a small wooden table next to the lounge chair. When I’m lazing I’d have on the table:
- coffee in a mug, or vodka with tonic in a glass, or Laphroaig whiskey in a tumbler;
- a notebook;
- a book;
- a pen.
I would have a little blue-grey cat with yellow eyes. The cat would
- doze on the rug;
- pounce on my feet while I’m trying to write;
- jump up onto the desk and mess up my papers;
- sit on the window sill to watch the birds;
- tell me stories.
Sometimes she would join me in the lounge chair and curl up against me and purr. And then we’d both fall asleep and wake in the evening when the light is low and golden.
I would love to have a room like that.
It would be a room just for me. A room of my own.
Sort of inspired by Virginia Woolf, but sort of not really.
Image via emmas.blogg
Tags: Writing7 Comments













Beautiful!
My room would be a gym, plain and simple. Then I’d have no excuses.
Thanks, mate.
You have no excuses now. get to it.
Nothing stopping you from owning a Dia de los muertos skull, I have a few of them in my shop..their wonderful glittery eyes might help distract you from the fact that you don’t have the room of your dreams (yet!),
This sounds dreamy and PERFECT! The only thing I’d change, for me, is to replace the cat with a dog (allergic to cat dander). The dog would cuddle on the lounger with me and sit by my feet when I’m at the desk working or dreaming.
A perfect scenario you’ve created, Justine. Books, bookshelves at the right height (I’m 5′5″, too), maps, important talismen, a good lamp and chair and a spot to rest a favourite drink.
Seen A Cook, A Thief, His Wife and Her Lover? Imagine a bedroom like that surrounded by books…now, THAT would be my idea of sublime…
Enjoy your room, sweetheart! xx
Wow. Such specifics! This room will come into your life, simply because you imagine it so vividly. Also, I want one too. All of it. Well, I don’t want the pictures of your parents, but other than that, yeah. Serious drooling here.
P.S. I like your writing style.
I share your pain. A four year battle so far. Never give up..my oncologist has been amazed by my continued progress so far. My wife has given me great inspiration to fight on….I want to give you the same….we will meet someday in the hereafter.
Wishing you the best …luv, Jim Stewart
ahhhhhh ! Virginia Woolf / Elizabeth Taylor
A room all your own…nice!!