Small Space Decor: A Vintage Desk - by Magdalena Scott

I thought it might be fun to bring you along with me on a shopping trip.

I live in a studio apartment and am in the mood to change things up a bit. I am selling the cool 36 x 36-inch rolling table which has served as my writing table/desk. I wanted something different, that would look both cute and a bit funky.

I also wanted something small, that wouldn't allow distraction. 36 x 36 is a big canvas on which to create a chaos of papers, books, geegaws, and doodads. I've proved myself capable of doing exactly that.

I love repurposing things, and I trust vintage and antique items. They feel reliable, and add coziness to my living space. (My rolling table, while not vintage, has a Mid Century Modern look.)

So shopping for a "new" writing table occurred not in the local big box store or traditional furniture store, but antique and vintage shops. (Oh, the treasures!)

Pictured above are four of the contenders for the role of Magdalena's New Writing Table. Can you see them despite their camouflage? Which do you think I chose? Do you enjoy poking around in vintage shops?

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.
Website: https://magdalenascott.com/

Tiny House - by Magdalena Scott

Last weekend, I attended an event about tiny houses. It was held at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus, Indiana. (Yay, libraries!) The young woman who spoke was a high school senior. Researching a topic and giving a presentation was a project for school, and she did an excellent job.

Photo by MJ Tangonan on Unsplash

The man who spoke is taking architecture classes in Columbus, where there is LOTS of amazing architecture. He is also a sculptor, and generally very creative guy. After his portion of the indoor presentation, we went outside and were able to tour one of his tiny house creations. You can see some of his work at his website, Carpenter Owl. He also runs a tiny house Air BNB in Bloomington, Indiana.

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

I am fortunate to live in what a friend describes as the perfect tiny house. At 500-ish square feet, my second-story studio apartment isn't what you normally think of when the words tiny house are mentioned. But it is small--the whole thing is about twice the size of the kitchen in our big house--and it is perfect for me. I adore my apartment, my landlords, and my neighborhood, in the small town where I grew up. 

Photo by Timothy Buck on Unsplash

I drastically downsized in 2012. Could I cull my stuff yet again, and fit what I want to keep into something much smaller, even 100-ish square feet? I believe so, as long as I had enough windows--very important! I may never do it, but it's fun to consider the possibilities.

Photo by Travis Grossen on Unsplash

What about you? Have you ever toured or stayed overnight in a tiny house? Does it look like a lifestyle you would enjoy full-time?

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and romantic women’s fiction. A lifelong resident of Small Town America, she invites readers into her world to find out what’s hidden just below the surface of those tiny dots barely visible on the map. Romance, mystery, and the journey to be one’s best self are all part of a day in her neighborhood. Readers have commented that they’d like to move to the imaginary towns Magdalena writes about, which she takes as high praise indeed.

Magdalena is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.

Website: https://magdalenascott.com/

Home Sweet Home - by Magdalena Scott

Tohono Chul Park - Tucson

Earlier this month, I spent a week in Tucson, Arizona, staying with friends in their lovely guest suite.

Besides being chauffeured to a variety of beautiful and interesting sites around town, and having a picnic on Mt. Lemmon, I spent two days at the fabulous Tucson Festival of Books. (Books! Authors! Readers!)

I also had coffee with author Patricia Forsythe, and lunch with author Merrillee Whren. What a treat to have unscripted time with each of these two ladies, whom I met a couple of years ago through Sweet Romance Reads.

My "host family" adores the area they live in, and regularly get out and seek new places and experiences. They treated me to walks in the desert, delicious home-cooked and restaurant meals, and generally spoiled me rotten.

It was one of the most beautiful, interesting, restful trips I've ever taken, and when I was back home in my little studio apartment, the experience seemed almost like a dream.

Three days later I had company for a few hours--people who wanted to see where I live and work. I gave them the full tour of my apartment: Stand in center of apartment, turn 360 degrees. We also strolled around the town square and stopped in at all the shops. We ate a delicious meal at a restaurant just a few hundred yards from my front door. Our waitress, and all the shop owners, were gracious to my friends. I'm certain they enjoyed the visit as much as I enjoyed having them with me.

I love traveling--seeing new things, trying new foods, making and strengthening friendships. Yet it's always wonderful to be home. And it's a treat to see people enjoy my little town. Helps me appreciate it more.

Do you ever try to imagine how visitors see your city? Do you treat yourself to "touristy" things at home, and not just when you're in a new location?

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Magdalena Scott is a USA Today Bestselling Author of small town sweet romance and women's fiction. Learn about her books, read her blog, subscribe to her newsletter, and connect on social media by visiting her website: magdalenascott.com

Her newest release is Book Four in the Serendipity, Indiana series: THE BLANK BOOK. Paperback is coming soon. The ebook version is available here:

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Be Happier? ~ by Magdalena Scott

Due to interest in my posts concerning minimalism, I thought I’d touch on the subject again this month. (Quick background: in 2012 I became a widow, sold our house and most of our furniture, etc. at a huge auction, and moved into a studio apartment. I went from 3,000-ish square feet to around 500.)

I recently read a blog post listing 21 benefits of owning less. I completely agree with, and relate to, 20 of them, including Less Spending, Less Stress, More Freedom, Easier to Clean. The one that stopped me—and when I clicked the reference link I was still shaking my head—is this one: Be Happier.

Don’t get me wrong. I am happier with less, but I’m not certain this is a realistic guarantee. If I lived alone in our big house as the curator of all our possessions, I’d be miserable. I’m guessing that each time my son and daughter-in-law came to visit, I’d try to foist something off on them.

Another fact to consider is that each of us may have our own definition of minimalism. A bit of guidance I use is this, by William Morris: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”  

Happiness is never guaranteed, but if you’re interested in dabbling without committing, here are some ideas:

• Box stuff up that you don’t love, and see what your place looks like when it’s streamlined. (It’s important to ask yourself What do I want to keep? instead of What do I want to get rid of?)
• Use your favorite dishes, pack the others up for donation (but don’t donate yet), and see if you miss what’s no longer in the cabinet.
• Put your seldom used clothing, shoes, handbags in the back of the closet, or another closet, and experience a smaller wardrobe for a while. (Confession: I still haven’t conquered my wardrobe!)
• If you have grown children whose belongings are still in your home, invite said children to come and pick them up. Perhaps they will, or perhaps those items are just there because nobody’s had the heart to re-home them. (Warning: this work is not for the faint-hearted. It can be quite an emotional drain.)
• Live in a smaller portion of your current home and “try on” small space living. (Hint: Windows help the small space seem larger.)

Owning fewer things and renting a small apartment has set me free to travel (photo above is in San Francisco this month), do the work I love, and donate to charity. I like to help spread the word about this lifestyle, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup—or dozens of cups, with matching saucers—of tea. You get to decide.

Magdalena Scott


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Magdalena is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and writes sweet romance and women's fiction with small town settings. Connect with her and read about her books on her website: www.magdalenascott.com

Recent Release: Book Two in the Serendipity, Indiana series, Emily’s Dreams. Emily Kincaid is recovering from an auto accident, and sheds her past—emotionally and physically—in order to move toward her future. Stories in the Serendipity, Indiana series always have a surprise ending, and I think you’ll love the resolution of the nudging voice Emily hears throughout her journey.

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