Inside My Disney-Inspired Office

A Peek at My Magical Library and Creative Workspace

May 13, 2025

I’m very excited to give you all a little up-close look at one of my favourite places to retreat to—my office!

Our apartment may be tiny, but we’ve managed to make the space work for us, especially when it comes to our own dedicated spaces. Even in a small home, having a designated area that solely belongs to me is so important, as it gives me a space to fully dive into my work.

My little corner has been inspired by my love of Disney, history, and colour. From the books to the decor, I’ve tried my best to curate a space that’s filled with creativity, nostalgia, and magic.

Let me take you on a little tour of my happy place!

Layout & Functionality: The Magic of a Small Space

Like I mentioned, living in a one-bedroom apartment means we’ve had to get creative with how we use our space, but I’m genuinely proud of how it has all come together!

Our hallway is surprisingly wide given how small the space is, so it actually turned out to be the perfect spot to put my beloved Ikea Billy Bookcases. I’ve always dreamed of having a wall filled with books, and with the extender shelves on top of these bookcases, they really have a built-in look about them.

Just beyond the hallway is my desk. It’s technically located in what was originally designed to be part of the kitchen, but as anyone in a small space will tell you, you sometimes have to adapt and reimagine your home. I’m happy to say that it doesn’t feel like a kitchen workspace and it’s a fully separate zone that feels entirely my own.

Writing & Research Station

When I sit at my desk, I want to feel both grounded and inspired, and I think I’ve designed this area to do just that. I like to keep my workspace clear and tidy so that it’s always ready for me to jump into work (I can’t focus at a messy desk)! Of course, there are a few intentional items that always stay out, such as my computer, my headphones, a seashell lamp, a mini card catalogue box, my writing utensils, my podcasting mic, and little glass jars filled with paper clips and push pins.

One of my favourite pieces sits front and centre on my desk, which is a Mickey Mouse phone from the early 2000s that was gifted to me by my grandparents one Christmas. It sits there proudly to always remind me exactly why I love what I do!

I also keep a small collection of books in the corner of my desk for quick reference as well. You’ll usually find my frequented research materials, my research notebook, and my common place journal located here.

Ledge Shelves

Just above my desk are three ledge shelves. Originally, this wall was filled with artwork, but I decided to transform it into a display space to hold both inspiring art and collectibles. The best part about them is that I can change things up whenever I feel like it!

• Top Shelf: Dedicated to framed artwork.

• Middle Shelf: A rotation of books I’m currently reading, next up on my TBR, or just ones with beautiful covers that I want displayed front-facing.

• Bottom Shelf: Trinkets and objects that spark joy and inspiration.

Everything on these shelves is intentional and everything has meaning—it’s like my own little rotating exhibit!

Cork Board Inspiration

To the left of my desk is my cork board, and while it may look like a smorgasbord of randomness, to me, it’s curated chaos of inspiration. There are quotes scribbled on scraps of paper, my small-but-mighty pin collection, and all sorts of odds and ends that I find creatively energizing. I change it out as needed, but the essence remains the same; this board is here to lift me up when I’m in the middle of a writing session and need a spark.

On the Bookshelves

While my desk may be where the writing happens, it’s my bookshelves that hold the resources to support my research. These shelves aren’t just filled with books though—from reference materials to sentimental keepsakes, everything here has a story and a purpose.

Resource Collection

I would love to do a specific post one day dedicated to analyzing everything in my resource collection, but for now, here’s a snapshot of what you can currently find on my shelves:

Non-Fiction Books: My collection includes biographies of Walt Disney, behind-the-scenes stories from Imagineers, deep dives into park history, and books about animation, storytelling, and the Disney fandom in general.
Maps: I’ve gathered a collection of park maps over the years. They're great for visualizing how the parks have evolved over time, especially when piecing together timelines or looking into past attractions.
Magazines: I have a variety of magazines, some old and some new, and I use them for inspiration and research purposes.
An Assortment of Other Ephemera: Brochures, park tickets, Fast Passes, etc.

Sentimental Details & Personal Pieces

Beyond the books and research materials, it’s the other items scattered throughout my shelves that really make my little library most magical. Each piece on display has a story or a memory connected to it. Here are just a few of my favourites:

Country Bear Jamboree Figurine: A little tribute to my grandmother who loved this attraction.
My Haunted Mansion Shelf: A spooky nod to one of my family’s all-time favourite rides.
Autograph Book & Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary Hat: Souvenirs from my very first visit to WDW.

Swiss Family Treehouse Figure: A piece that sparks childhood memories of exploring the treehouse (something I still love doing today).
Mickey & Minnie Mouse Figurines: I saved up for these as a kid, and they serve as lovely reminder of my younger Disney years.
The Enchanted Rose: A DIY project using a real rose my partner gave me the night we saw the live-action Beauty and the Beast.

Cinderella Glass Slipper: A keepsake from my partner from our first Disney trip together.
Massive Jim Shore Stitch: A lucky Facebook Marketplace find that now sits proudly beside/on my over-sized coffee table books.

A Space That Sparks Joy

Growing up, I always thought it would be a dream to work at Disney, but being Canadian and never having taken advantage of Disney’s College or International programs, I never quite saw a way to make it happen.

I eventually came to realize though that I don’t need to work for Disney in order to feel connected to it. Thanks to my book research, my Substack, and my many other brewing projects, I’ve found many ways to infuse more Disney into my daily life than ever before—and my office serves as a home-base to do all of these wonderful things!

This space has become one of the most joyful parts of my daily life. It reminds me of who I am, what I love, and the kinds of stories I want to tell. I may not work at a Disney library, but my office is proof that with a bit of imagination (and a lot of books), you can bring the magic home.