Lovely Workspaces

I am intrigued by the rooms where creative people work. Writers, artists, interior designers, fashion designers, gallery owners, museum directors, entrepreneurs -- their choice of a workspace is fascinating to me. Do they keep it austere and serene or do they load it with inspiration? Do they work best with images on a bulletin board, favorite books on bookshelves, precious writing implements on their desk, windows with a view, great lighting or privacy? What element is most important to them? What are the ingredients that go into making their workspace a retreat, a haven where they can be creative? As Virginia Woof wrote, "A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." I am not sure that money is essential (think of J.K. Rowling), but a room of one's own seems to be ideal. Here are the workspaces of some very creative people. 

 Vita Sackville-West's writing tower at Sissinghurst Castle
Photo by National Trust John Hammond via here

What kind of a room does a writer need to produce great art? Vita Sackville-West, descended from British nobility, had her own tower at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, England. It had views of the famous gardens she created. It was there that she wrote her novels, poems, essays and gardening articles. She was surrounded by her treasured books, Persian rugs, antique tapestries and portraits of her literary idols -- Virginia Woolf and the Bronte sisters.  

 Virginia Woolf's writing lodge
Photo by National Trust Eric Crichton via here

Virginia Woolf writing lodge at Monk's House, her home in East Sussex, England, was a much simpler affair. A former tool shed turned into a writing room, it was situated in the garden and had a view of the downs. This is where she wrote parts of all of her major novels. 

Virginia Woolf's desk
Photo by Eamonn McCabe via here

Edith Wharton's bedroom

Photo by Annie Leibovitz via here

Edith Wharton famously wrote her novels in bed, dropping the pages on the floor for her secretary Anna Bahlmann to gather up and type. Here is a recreation of Wharton writing in bed at her home The Mount in western Massachusetts, photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue Magazine. Wharton wrote "The House of Mirth" in this room.

Jane Austen's desk
Photo by Eamonn McCabe via here

Jane Austen wrote at this desk near the front door of Chawton Cottage, her home in Hamsphire

 Haworth Parsonage in Yorkshire, England, the home of Charlotte Bronte
Photo by Eamonn McCabe via here

Charlotte Bronte wrote her books on this table in the dining room, a room that doubled as her study

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What about the artists, writers, designers, and creative spirits working today? Where do they like to work?

Artist and mapmaker Connie Brown of Redstone Studios at her studio in Durham, Connecticut
Photo by Caryn Davis via Connie Brown

Home decor and fashion designer Aerin Lauder's office
Photo by Pieter Estersohn via here

Nigella Lawson in her library
(photo source unknown)

Fashion designer Phoebe Philo at her atelier in London
Photo by Annie Leibovitz via here

 Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, in her New York office
Photo by Elizabeth Lippman via here

Jenna Lyons, creative director at J. Crew
Photo by Heather Clawson from her book Habitually Chic: Creativity at Work via here

Thelma Golden, director of The Studio Museum of Harlem
Photo by Heather Clawson via here

I am so inspired by these beautiful workspaces. Where do you like to work? What kind of space nourishes your creativity?