You're right to consider removing the picture rail. It gives the feeling that the ceiling is at that height when you have that pretty ceiling up above. Pick a rug that calms you and the space. A color you love from it will become the wall color. Rustoleum is one company that makes a primer that magnetizes your paint so one convenient wall can serve as your organizing space. Working on the floor will become a chore eventually, and magnets will allow you to move the pieces of info around at will.

Take the wall color on up to the trim boards around the ceiling detail. Don't know if those metal tiles are original, but if so, you might want to investigate returning them to their original glory (if you have the budget or can save up.) You need a new light too; something more in keeping with the era of the tiles would be better. We only see two walls of your space, but I'm thinking one or two tall bookcases would allow you to eliminate the rickety looking shelf system you're using. It adds to the chaotic feeling you mentioned.

Do you write at a computer? Some people prefer to have the window behind them to illuminate their desk. If glare on a screen is a problem you might prefer facing the window, or staying where you are now. To cozy up and soften the feeling, flank the window with stationary or draw drapes (your choice.) To enlarge the space visually, match drapes to the new wall color.

I'm a writer too (currently have a book at the editor) so I get that a space must enhance the writing experience. Best wishes.

Thank you so much -- this is so helpful! Just two questions:

1) I love the Rust-oleum idea, but does the primer magnetize the wall enough to hold, say, a heavy piece of paper with a magnet?

2) Regarding a light, do you think a flush light would work? If not, what kind of pendant would you recommend? I love ones with a strong feeling of nature to them (see below), but I don't know if this would be over the top.

Just wanted to mention you could use a small rug as a wall hanging if you have a patch of wall for it.

Wow -- thank you; these are such fantastic and helpful thoughts! A couple follow-up questions if you're willing -- you have a great sense of space! I've posted pics of the four sides of the room so you can get a better sense. (The window faces due east.)

1) The room is 12.6x10.5 feet, and the chandelier diameter is 15 inches, so sounds like I do need a bigger one -- and perhaps some task lighting. I'd love to put a small pendant or something over the desk itself, but I don't want to put another hole into the great metal pressed ceiling. So maybe a nice arcing desk lamp?

2. Location of desk. I actually have a HUGE old bank desk (more than 6'x3') -- it feels too big, but it's a beloved possession of my partner's and we wouldn't have anywhere else to put it. I wish I could reach a pinboard or whiteboard right behind the desk, but at more than 3' in depth it's too big! Perhaps leather pads would divide the surface space? In terms of placement, I don't love facing the window, since the view is of my neighbor's crummy spiked wall. I actually like having the desk away from the wall and the window behind me -- but I worry that having the desk away from the wall will make the room feel smaller, and I heard that's bad "energy depleting" feng shui. Don't know how seriously to take that.

3. Shelving. I do need a way to keep lots of books in the office. As you can see, I bought some floating pine boxes a while ago and didn't know what to do with them, so I made an arrangement over the desk. As you suggest, it feels chaotic -- more peaceful would be to have a piece of art behind my writing space. Do you think I could just move this floating shelf arrangement to another wall, or would it always look ungrounded?

4. Organization -- I do need an organization system for files and receipts, and some large system to post and rearrange MANY (at times hundreds) of post-its and material, and a whiteboard. Do you think one whole wall or even the southeast corner (where the reading chair is) devoted to that would look bad? Again, I wish I could have the whiteboard and pinboard in a place I could reach it from the office chair, but I can't figure out how to configure the furniture.

5. I simply never use the reading chair, so I've been tempted to take it out. I'd like to have a reading space in here, but I'm not sure it's in the right place, and it feels as though I'd need a small table and a floor lamp.

6. Is an 8x10 rug the right size for this room?

7. Last question -- in theory I've always loved images I've seen on Pinterest etc. of trompe d'oeil-ish wallpaper murals that increase the felt size of the room. But I can never tell if that would look super hokey in person. Any thoughts?

Hi Eve-

I love those old big desks! The advantage of their huge surface is that you can spread out over their huge surface the papers you are working on, instead of the floor. I can just see you with a vintage manual typewrite on it!

Ok, back to reality.

I would get rid of all those little tables. I don't think the big mirror adds any function or beauty or inspiration to the room either.

Here are some ideas. You would want to measure everything carefully and make a lot of drawings on graph paper, or use the computer programs they have out now, I don't know what they are, you can ask people here.

To the right of the desk and perpendicular to it on the wall of the window put a long flat surface to act as a return, even if it is only a door or a piece of plywood. Underneath you can put file cabinets, drawers, shelves, conceal wires, printers, computer towers, whatever you want.

The top becomes additional work space and is space to put a printer/scanner, phone.

You can leave the desk on the wall where it is, or move it to the opposite wall where the diagonal bookshelf is.

On the wall on either side of the window you can put up bookshelves, pegboards or artwork.

On the wall where you have the diagonal bookshelves, I would replace that system with a more functional bookshelf system.

If you are going to be sliding your chair from your desk to the return, a floor rug would get in the way of your chair wheels.

If there is no need or space for a reading chair, get rid of it. If your desk chair is sufficiciently comfortable , you can get a footstool that can neatly tuck under your return, and when you are ready to read and day dream, lean back in your desk chair and put your feet up on your footstool. In addition, for addition color, you can cover your footstool in a fragment of an old but beautiful handmade rug.

Everyone has their own organizational system, but I just can't imagine how having hundreds of post-it notes on a board or wall is organized, and valuable time would be lost finding things. Furthermore, in a fire or flood, valuable information would be forever lost never to be recovered.

I think what is needed here is not only decor suggestions but also organization suggestions.

You posted this thread on GardenWeb/Flooring. Why not look on the Organization Section and see whose comments you like and ask them to comment on this thread. Also look at some of the threads about home offices and do the same.

Thanks, loobab, you're great! :) I actually like some degree of disorganization - helps me think in an odd way - but I do think a better shelving system would be hugely helpful and I love the idea of a surface by the window.

Last question - do you think a windowshade would work in here or are curtains necessary to soften it up, esp if I don't do a big rug?

It's up to you- How much light filtering do you want or need? If you are going to have a desk return on that wall, that really will dictate what kind of window coverings you get. You can still get curtains, of course, but not down to the floor. You can get inexpensive matchstick roll-up blinds at someplace like Pier One or World Market.

If you don't want to see outside but you want light, there are shades that attach from the bottom so that you will get light from the top of the window and not the bottom and you will get light and not a view. And there are some that will go both ways.

On the other hand, the motley crew that walks the streets may give your writing inspiration.