Wonderful Writing Rooms to Explore Your Intellectual Freedom In
Inspired by Charlotte Wood's Stella Prize acceptance speech, here are 11 beautiful writing rooms where inspiration is most likely to strike
Emily Hutchinson
22 April 2016
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
Charlotte Wood recently took home the 2016 Stella Prize for her novel, The Natural Way of Things. Her acceptance speech has been widely embraced for its honest approach to talking about the current challenges most writers face, one of which is finding the motivation to return again and again to the writing room and the blank page.
“Showing up to that blank space with curiosity and courage is an exercise in the greatest freedom we can know – intellectual freedom, to explore your obsession with something nobody but you cares about, to pursue your own strange thoughts and dreams, to climb right inside your own dark wormhole of fascination and stay there,” Wood said.
With that in mind, here are 11 inspiring spaces to allow your imagination and ‘intellectual freedom’ run wild.
“Showing up to that blank space with curiosity and courage is an exercise in the greatest freedom we can know – intellectual freedom, to explore your obsession with something nobody but you cares about, to pursue your own strange thoughts and dreams, to climb right inside your own dark wormhole of fascination and stay there,” Wood said.
With that in mind, here are 11 inspiring spaces to allow your imagination and ‘intellectual freedom’ run wild.
1. A secret nook
You might be surprised where you can find space for a little writing nook at home. Perhaps among your book collection where you can see the names of your favourite authors surrounding you, as inspiration to get through one more chapter before a break.
You might be surprised where you can find space for a little writing nook at home. Perhaps among your book collection where you can see the names of your favourite authors surrounding you, as inspiration to get through one more chapter before a break.
2. Look to the writing on the wall
Sometimes staring at a blank wall is the best seat in the house when you’re trying to concentrate. Especially when it’s decorated with pages from your favourite book.
Take a look at more industrial-style rooms
Sometimes staring at a blank wall is the best seat in the house when you’re trying to concentrate. Especially when it’s decorated with pages from your favourite book.
Take a look at more industrial-style rooms
3. A laid-back approach
If you’re anything like me, you enjoy a more laid-back approach to writing. I often reject the desk and chair, preferring a more comfortable setting to let the words flow. This upstairs nook with a daybed and bay window would suit me just fine.
If you’re anything like me, you enjoy a more laid-back approach to writing. I often reject the desk and chair, preferring a more comfortable setting to let the words flow. This upstairs nook with a daybed and bay window would suit me just fine.
4. Feel cosy and comfy
Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere to work in might encourage you to spend more time it. Hours can be spent labouring over a title for your novel, so you want to ensure you have that buttery soft armchair to sink into, or even a little heater at your feet for when it gets cold.
Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere to work in might encourage you to spend more time it. Hours can be spent labouring over a title for your novel, so you want to ensure you have that buttery soft armchair to sink into, or even a little heater at your feet for when it gets cold.
5. Make it personal
To be inspired, it’s important to feel comfortable in your writing room and surround yourself with the things you love. Not just your favourite books, but your artwork, music, hand-me-down furniture and pictures of loved ones can help to remind you of what makes life meaningful.
To be inspired, it’s important to feel comfortable in your writing room and surround yourself with the things you love. Not just your favourite books, but your artwork, music, hand-me-down furniture and pictures of loved ones can help to remind you of what makes life meaningful.
6. Clean and simple
If you are easily distracted and find the most obscure ways to procrastinate, it might be worthwhile to make your writing room a simple space instead. Minimalist decor and neutral tones will let your mind focus on converting your thoughts into the written word.
If you are easily distracted and find the most obscure ways to procrastinate, it might be worthwhile to make your writing room a simple space instead. Minimalist decor and neutral tones will let your mind focus on converting your thoughts into the written word.
7. A room with a view
When it’s just you and the blank page on your screen, it’s nice to be able to look out and bring yourself back to reality with a view of the outside world. I can imagine writers like Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling being inspired by this view while writing their classics.
When it’s just you and the blank page on your screen, it’s nice to be able to look out and bring yourself back to reality with a view of the outside world. I can imagine writers like Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling being inspired by this view while writing their classics.
8. Keep it light and bright
For a happy workspace, it’s important to keep it light and bright. This high-ceilinged room with tall windows lets in ample sunlight. And check out the old-school typewriter on the desk – very Jack Kerouac!
For a happy workspace, it’s important to keep it light and bright. This high-ceilinged room with tall windows lets in ample sunlight. And check out the old-school typewriter on the desk – very Jack Kerouac!
9. Detach yourself
If you are writing at home, you may feel the need to separate your work space from your home life. A detached studio could be the answer to making you feel like you can retreat to your ‘blank space’. Whether it’s making better use of your backyard shed or refurbishing a garage, you can customise the room to make it feel like it just belongs to you.
Browse more photos of garage and shed designs
If you are writing at home, you may feel the need to separate your work space from your home life. A detached studio could be the answer to making you feel like you can retreat to your ‘blank space’. Whether it’s making better use of your backyard shed or refurbishing a garage, you can customise the room to make it feel like it just belongs to you.
Browse more photos of garage and shed designs
10. Open yourself up to the elements
If you do opt for a detached studio, why not make it possible to open it up to nature? During the warmer months of the year, you don’t want to feel like you’re missing out on summer fun while you’re stuck indoors at the mercy of your keyboard.
If you do opt for a detached studio, why not make it possible to open it up to nature? During the warmer months of the year, you don’t want to feel like you’re missing out on summer fun while you’re stuck indoors at the mercy of your keyboard.
11. Staying connected
While some writers prefer complete isolation, others work well with the hum of the household nearby. A mezzanine overlooking your home’s living and kitchen areas provides the perfect view for some, and will make them feel connected while they work.
TELL US
Are you currently writing a novel? How have you set up your writing room so the words flow? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
24 Hipster Home Offices
See more dreamy home office spaces
Past to Present: The Writing Desk
While some writers prefer complete isolation, others work well with the hum of the household nearby. A mezzanine overlooking your home’s living and kitchen areas provides the perfect view for some, and will make them feel connected while they work.
TELL US
Are you currently writing a novel? How have you set up your writing room so the words flow? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
24 Hipster Home Offices
See more dreamy home office spaces
Past to Present: The Writing Desk
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There, in some of these delicious photos, are those pesky tall shelves again. Tricky for short writers!
I can categorically state that, if I had the view from image 7 to distract me, precious little writing would get done (I expect Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling had more discipline ;) but I could happily while away a few hours just looking out of the window....