The Benefits of Standing Desks, Pt. 2- My Sit-Stand Workstation

I hope you all had a lovely, relaxing Labor Day weekend. Atlanta was cloudy for a change, but I don't mind it. It puts me in the mood for fall. If you read my last post, you are, by now, most assuredly convinced of the benefits of standing workstations. I'm making good on my promise and revealing my new sit-stand workstation-- an Ikea hack and upcycling project that is tres simple!

So, I made a trek to Ikea and purchased two of these bar tables. They are 27 inches tall, made 100% hardwood and extra sturdy.

I know it's a standing desk, but it would be unrealistic of me to have no seating options. So, I also purchased this bar stool. Sometimes you just need a break. I have been working at my desk for a few days now and I would say I spend around 60% of the time standing, 40% sitting. Much better than 100% sitting at my old desk. Be sure, if you end up getting this stool, to purchase the 29 inch option. Thankfully I had a number, and by number I mean many, unopened lamp kits to return from my lamp making days, knocking a substantial chunk off my total price. Sweet!

Then, using an old, beat up 7ft. door, we (meaning my husband with some help from Collin) fashioned a table top.

 He routed the edges of the door to give it a smoother and more tabletop-ish (not a word) feel.

Et voila!

The biggest challenge was moving it up the stairs, seeing as how this table top is a total beast. We have yet to attach it to the bar tables with screws and may do so in the future, but we tried 8 million ways to shake this thing loose off the bases (bar tables) and it does not budge. If you are not using a former fire door (like we did), you'll want to make sure and screw the bar tables to the door. If you happen to find an old door with some dimension (i.e. the indented squares which I have no fancy name for), getting a piece of glass cut in the same size will give you more ease of use and style-- allowing for snapshots, postcards and other artful ephemera to be displayed under the glass.

I absolutely love having a desk at which I can A). Both stand and sit at comfortably, B). Spread out projects with extra space for inspirational collections (see below), and C). under which I can store shipping boxes and Collin's toys, making the office less cluttered overall.

A special shout out to Charleston, SC based Rewined Candles, purveyors of the pictured, deliciously fragrant upcycled wine bottle candles. I am loving mine! Wedding and event packages are available if you are in the market for a larger quantities. Check them out!

POST SCRIPT: I forgot to mention that we did some research on ergonomically correct angles for the standing desk. Be sure your standing work desk allows you to comfortably type with your elbows at a 90 degree angle. You may even need to raise your computer screen up a bit so that it is at eye level.

Switching to a Standing Desk, pt.1

Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine

I'm revamping my office... Again! I know, I just did a little office makeover which you can read about here, but my son is now reaching up on to my small desk, pulling things off and making messes and I start to feel sluggish when I am sitting and working on projects for extended periods of time. I have been hearing great things about standing workstations and have decided to give it a try! Did you know that some of history's most famous authors, inventors and political figures, such as Hemmingway and Thomas Jefferson, used standing desks to get their creative juices flowing?

Accoriding to a study in the journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana analyzed the lifestyles of more than 17,000 men and women over about 13 years, and found that people who sit for most of the day are 54 percent more likely to die of heart attacks. Yikes! "Similar research actually dates back to 1953, when British researchers found that (sitting) bus drivers were twice as likely to die of heart attacks as (standing) trolley operators (Men's Health)."

If that's not persuasive enough, here is a list of some of the many benefits to switching:

- Prevents slouching

- Increases blood flow

- Burns more calories

- Increases productivity

- Increases focus, alertness and activity level

- Keeps baby hands away from your files/mouse/keyboard/pens/calculator/drink... ;)

Read more on the history of standing workstations here and let me know your thoughts.

We'll be tackling this project over the long weekend and will put pictures and a tutorial up on the blog shortly thereafter. I will give you two teasers now- Ikea hack and door. 

Stay tuned!

Office Makeover and Springtime Delights

Saturday was the perfect day to have a lazy morning and productive afternoon. After enjoying our weekly eggs, bacon and waffle breakfast (with coffee, of course), we set out to baby proof the office and in the process I was inspired to make my workspace more inviting and cheerful. First task on the list was to do something about our nasty, faded office chair. I really do loathe your run of the mill type office furniture. All function and no form! What's up with that?  There are some lovely Eames inspired chairs out there, but not in our price range, so my husband suggested we re-cover our current chair as a free alternative!

I had this sample upholstery square in my fabric box and it was the perfect size! I'm not sure what you would call the pattern... It's sort of Southwestern/Ikat looking and the color is a pinky peach, honeysuckle tone. If you have insights into the name of the fabric pattern, I'd much appreciate it. Needless to say, I'm in love. I'm so glad we didn't spend money on a new chair! 

All you need is someone to help you stretch the fabric taut and a staple gun. Voila! Easy, peasy project!

That prompted me to swap blank walls with post-it notes for some workspace pzaz. Virtually everything you see in these pictures was collected over the years from Goodwill runs, freely acquired or purchased very cheaply. The lamp was something I made-over a few years back and you can read about that here. I think the bulletin board was leaning on the side of a dumpster and the fabric covering the board is from Ikea. The desk was a piece we found on the side of the road when we lived in Midtown, the vintage metal TV tray is from Goodwill, the vintage faux bois clipboard is from Goodwill, the picture frame was on sale at Antrho, the wire basket that is serving as my desktop organizer used to house three herb garden pots, the gold frame is another Goodwill find and inside of it is a remnant of a vintage wallpaper roll that I found at-- you guessed it-- Goodwill! So, my cheerful workplace environment probably cost around $30 total.

After all that hard work, we decided to head over to our neighborhood park for a much needed stroll!

Along the way, we spotted this tree. Any ideas on its name? It's gorgeous for sure! That's about it. I love Saturdays with my little fam. Happy Monday y'all!

Bookshelves by Color

Something I'd like to do with our mess of books, very soon, when I get motivated, is organize our collection by color. Check out these glorious examples:

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My $7 Entryway Makeover

So, yesterday I ventured out to run an errand and found myself lured by the fluorescent garage and estate sale signs on many a street corner in Marietta. What a delight to have scored a bundle of beautiful vintage upholstry fabric for $1, a pale blue bulletin board for $1 and the best..... A 1940's (possibly older) Royal Typewriter for $5. I know! How wonderful is that?! The gentleman hosting the garage sale didn't want to haul it in his move, so it was a win-win situation.

"A British Woven Union Linen Screen Print" is written across the bottom of the fabric panels.

I rushed home and gathered a few items I already owned, plus my new finds and made over our entry way. To affix the linen to the bulletin board, I used brass upholstry nails (they run you about $2 at a hardware store).

Voila! And only for $7... I am a happy woman:)