I sure did get your suggestions…thank you! I’d like to share with everyone what you sent:

“The center wire for hanging pendants is good, but it forces you to visually slice the space in half lengthwise. If you add 1 or 2 wires going across the space then you’ll have a lot more options for overhead lighting locations, and/or fabric panel space dividers. You’ll just need masonry bolts and heavy fishing line.

Are you a photographer? Is that why things need to be movable? Having everything on castors sounds cool and flexible, but might end up making things look industrial and prop-like. It’s your home, so certain areas need to feel stable and solid and super comfortable.

Don’t feel constrained to placing furniture only on the wall side. You can certainly put a sofa or a pair of chairs up against either of the window walls. Plus, as someone else suggested you can create walls out of bookcases, as well as fabric panels, big presentation boards on casters, trees, etc.

Ok, last thought for today: try to keep your office space (wherever it ends up going) separate from your living space. You need to be able to close it off so that it’s not beckoning to you every second of every day.”

GREAT suggestions. It would be very wise for us to hang a cable cord perpendicular to the existing cord so we are not limited to placing furniture around where the pendant lighting has to be. Genius!

At the moment we have decided to put our two Steelcase desks on casters because those guys are HEAVY and hard to move. I don’t think we will plan to put too much else on casters but plans may change.

I think we hope to keep the space as open and (hopefully) as uncluttered as possible so we may try to shy away from separating areas by way of fabric panels, room dividers, etc. A bookcase may make it into the lineup but we have not yet unpacked enough to make that decision yet.

I’ll be posting more on the space soon!

Rugs and lots of lighting are on the list of things to buy (along with a ladder and a dining set)

Yes to potted trees! I have one kumquat tree at the moment but hope to start adding to the collection.

I’ll be posting more photos soon so you can see what we are working with. If you are bored and want to draw up a few furniture plan options, I can’t say no! I’ll get the dimensions of the space shortly. (I’d love to post your ideas on the blog too if you wouldn’t mind…just e-mail me: ali [at] designpublic.com)

Thanks, Again!

I’m a designer in LA and I just happened upon your posting while searching for something else on AT. Your space is amazing!

You could hang painted canvases from the ceiling in front of some of the window sections to break up the weight of the (ugly) curtains. Also, burlap is a beautiful textured material that’s super cheap ($1.50 per yard) and it makes a beautiful window covering and or space divider. The same goes for cheesecloth — it’s inexpensive and looks good draped over windows.

Floor lamps will certainly help make the separate sections of the space feel more cozy and intimate. Rugs will do the same thing and will delineate areas and provide a focal point for the eye.

Potted tress will soften the edges of the room and give it some life.

I could do a quick couple of furniture plan options for you if you’d like (I’ve got a temporary lull in work) but you’d have to measure the space for me.

Good luck!

Your list of tips was so incredibly helpful. I read it before the move yesterday and there were facets that I would have overlooked if I hadn’t had your list (like a bag of toiletries!…although I did forget my toothbrush, aye). Luckily we had an amazing duo of movers who were smart enough to load the big/important furniture pieces last. I don’t know what would have done without the movers!

Jackie,

Casters (with locks for us earthquake prone folks) are brillant. I think we plan on investing in these for sure.

Kit, Becky, Antoi, Emily, Jackie…What kinds of cookies do you guys like? You all have certainly helped me immensly!