The Big Move at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
You may remember me telling you that in New York City, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia occupies two separate spaces. The original offices are located in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street. On the west side of Manhattan in the Chelsea District, we also work out of the Starrett Lehigh building.  We started talking, quite some time ago, about consolidating all of our editorial creative forces together under one roof so that all of these amazingly talented people will have a new environment working off of each others’ positive energies. Because of its size, Starrett was the logical choice and moving day, or more accurately stated, moving days are upon us.
We started by relocating departments at Starrett Lehigh. When employees packed up to shift to new workstations, there was an element of surprise at how much they had accumulated over the years. The general feeling is that a good clean out every now and then is a positive thing. Now it’s time to pack up at 42nd Street and make the move downtown. The 42nd Street offices will remain the corporate headquarters. We’ll still keep our shuttle van for traveling between buildings and to make it easier for commuters to get to and from their trains or buses. Plus, we’ve also begun offering a concession for healthy and tasty soups, salads, sandwiches, and other entrees for those working at Starrett Lehigh.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
It all looks very well thought out - but I expect nothing less from you Martha!
Is it true what has been said on the internet about the offices, are there really to be no personal items at peoples desks?
Pru
Posted by: Pru | February 10th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Hi Martha
Pam from California
Off to bed it's 2:45 AM just wanted to say Hi.
Posted by: Pam From California | February 10th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Keep up the good work! I love reading your blog. I read it each and every day.
Posted by: suemare | February 10th, 2009 at 1:08 am
I look forward to seeing the results of all your talented staff in the same place. Good luck with the move!
Posted by: Liz@VioletPosy | February 10th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Hi, Martha,
What a move!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | February 10th, 2009 at 2:05 am
I loved the offices feature you did in a recent magazine. But I'm sorry the head of collecting has to move his lovely office. I thought it was wonderful how individual the spaces were. On the other hand, the Starrett Lehigh building is so magnificent he will surely be glad to be there!
Posted by: Charlotte K | February 10th, 2009 at 2:29 am
I would work there for free.
Posted by: Linda Crispell | February 10th, 2009 at 4:05 am
Oh how I dread moving! It would so nice if I could clone myself to do all the hard work while the real me takes a seat and watches. LOL!
I must say though having a new space always gets my creative juices flowing , so cashing it on that is certainly a prize
Posted by: Kari | February 10th, 2009 at 4:27 am
The magazine addict in me is drooling over that bin of back issues!
Luxury is sitting in a comfy chair curled up in a blanket, cup of tea, and large stack of magazines just waiting to be read!
Posted by: Julie | February 10th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Kevin,
Document this adventure and then put it all in a future magazine. I will use it as a guide to how one decides what to keep, file and what is discarded. I would really like to know how fast or slow a decision can be made on an item. Can you do it or does a third party make or break the deal on where it goes?
Happy sorting.
Posted by: Margie | February 10th, 2009 at 4:47 am
Please let us know when the "yard sale" will be for the extra stuff!
Posted by: Rachel H. | February 10th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Hi Martha,
I do like a clean, sparse area when I'm creating or doing a project BUT I really need to know that all my weird crappy "stuff" is SOMEWHERE, even if that "somewhere" is out of sight.
It must be a challenge to accommodate all various personalities of artists and other creative types. I want a work space free of perfumes/colognes/"fake" air fresheners, and the like.
How green can we go?!
Good luck with the move. And for all of the "crappy stuff" savers...just think...you've got a whole clean slate to start hanging your ideas on! I betcha those desks don't stay clean for very long!
Martha dear, do you have a "junk drawer"? And if so (remember when you showed the audience member when she asked "What's in your purse"?), what's in it?
Posted by: tinay | February 10th, 2009 at 5:07 am
I was thinking along the same lines as Pru's comment above.
To all the employees, "Good Luck" with the move!
Posted by: Mel | February 10th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Hi Martha,
I can totally sympathize with your colleagues' moving pains. Our department moved twice in three years. The best part about the move, like many at MSO have already learned, is that it gives you the opportunity to clean out clutter and get reorganized. Sometimes moving is a very good thing.
I wish MSO the very best with the new synergy created with this awesome collaboration of talent.
Take care.
Posted by: Jon M | February 10th, 2009 at 5:32 am
I, too, really enjoy these behind-the-scenes look at the staff. The recent photo spread in the magazine was just a joy to see. These are fun, too. Best of luck with the move!
Posted by: Devra | February 10th, 2009 at 5:34 am
A nice change for sure and good for the soul to let go of things we no longer need/use. Always a big job to pack/move, etc. but i am sure it will make for more efficiency.
Posted by: Sherey | February 10th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Hi Martha,
I hope the Starrett Lehigh building will be able to withstand all the energy once all your creative people get situated under one roof! That place is going to be super charged!
I hope someone will keep an eye on Kevin and Fritz so they don’t get buried under their collections. Or maybe they are already; I don’t see them anywhere. Kevin’s chair is empty; Fritz’s path to his desk is getting overcrowded. Someone better go check on them!
I’m assuming these are the “before” pictures so I look forward to the “after” ones also. You share so much with us and it’s great! Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 10th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Boy oh boy, I don't envy these folks one bit, as I HATE moving - organized, or not! I find it so disruptive, as my personal need calls for things to be orderly around me at all times. (I think they call that 'OCD'! [giggle] ) The poor associates who have been around awhile - I can only imagine what they have accumulated over the years...lots and lots of goodies, I'm sure! It can be, as you say, a good time though to go thru things and - well, out with the old, etc...
Will your main office be at the corporate headquarters, or will you be mainly based at Starrett Lehigh? I guess you will still float back and forth between both according to the need at hand...
I hope you enjoyed our break in temperatures over the weekend. Maryland 'basked' in nearly 60 degrees on Saturday, and guess what?!...I got to hang out laundry! Finally! (It was weird hanging up the clothes, while some snow was still on the ground!) It dried in a flash, as it was breezy. No spinning meter, either, because of using the dryer, AND it smelled so good! (IloveitIloveitIloveit!)
(...call me old-fashioned...)
=^..^=
"I have often thought that if Heaven had given me a choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden."--Thomas Jefferson
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | February 10th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Wow! Doesn't look like too much fun. Of course, I'm an organizing nut so I'd find some sort of sick pleasure in it all. Good luck at the new space!
Posted by: lauri (lalei design) | February 10th, 2009 at 6:49 am
If Kevin is getting rid of items, I'd die for some of those Hermes boxes. Orange is my favorite color, plus I need the boxes for some storage- my collection of Martha Stewart Living would be fabalous in them! Ok, I'm just brown-nosing now, but it all seriousness I'd give them a wonderful home!!
Posted by: LindsB | February 10th, 2009 at 11:03 am
WOW good luck with the move, not my fave thing to do...
I just discovered Eddie Ross, what a talent he is, love his blog. i just saw his name on your side bar.
All the best,
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | February 10th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Good luck with your move!
P.S. - With your busy schedule, did you go to the Westminster Dog Show?
Posted by: Sherry | February 10th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Hi Martha, I rather enjoy moving. By doing so every so often, I find I can go through my things and get rid of unneccessary items easier. If I stay in one place too long, everything seems to pile up more easily. During my working years, I was in several different schools while teaching and several different offices at my Kingdome job. Each move was enjoyable and it was fun starting over in a new place. I kind of think it's about time to move again as things are once again piling up. I hope everyone enjoys their move to a new place and would love to see how your new offices look. Good luck everyone. Hope you are all doing OK during these tough times. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 10th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Dear Martha Stewart
I´m a 35 year old women from Sweden. I just love your show and your products. I have tried to contact you in diffrent ways so now I try this way´. In Sweden we love your scrap produkts but there is no easy way to get it. I wonder if you would like to be interested into open a shop in sweden. I´m right now unemployed so I would love to take care of such a shop. I now its hard work but it would be like a dream come true and that your fantastic produkt could be bought in sweden. I think its a fantastic idea and a just need some help from you. I hope you will replay to me. In sweden scrapbooking is so big and I read everywhere people who want to buy. You are such a wonderful person with such great ideas so please spreed your ideas and produkts.
I hope for the best.
Yours sincerly
Marie Ekelund
Paviljonggatan 11
26070 LJUNGBYHED
SWEDEN
Posted by: Marie Ekelund | February 10th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I love Mr Sharkey's collection of what appear to be Hermes boxes (in his 'closet'). I hope he collected lots of beautiful things out of them! It is my dream to be able to have a lovely collection of Hermes works of art. So far, only a silk scarf and a wallet- but it's a start!
Posted by: KJ | February 10th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Hi,
Does anyone know the name of the little boy in the dog show who lost his father, I think the first name was Taner.
Thanks!
Posted by: louise | February 11th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Please let us know how we could access some "cast-offs" from the moving: Ebay? Local thrift shops? A contest? Your 'trash' would be our treasure...think about it?!! Thank you.
Posted by: Light | February 11th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Your move looks so organized. Once all of your great staff is under one roof many wonderful ideas will be coming from that building and I look forward to all of them.
Good luck with your move.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | February 11th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I have to ask, are all those orange boxes in Kevin's office from Hermes? If they are I am envious!
Posted by: Lisa Amiri | February 12th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
When I saw the box marked weddings I couldn't resist. Psychgrad from Equal Opportunity Kitchen is getting married in June and is running a Tried Tested and True Wedding Edition event (http://www.eatfordinner.blogspot.com). How cool do you think it would be for her and for readers to see a submission from "The Martha". The theme is what goes on a buffet table to impress out of town guests.
http://eatfordinner.blogspot.com/2009/01/tried-tested-and-true-3-wedding-edition.html
Posted by: giz | February 12th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Martha,
FYI&BTW, REAL perfume doesn't bother me so much but the cheap stuff is just that...cheap. What if your staff start wearing your perfume? No one when know when you cometh and goeth!
What candy did you rob Kevin Sharkey of? Ha! I am SO jealous of him! Is colored cellophane available yet? That'b pretty... 
Posted by: tinay | February 13th, 2009 at 4:14 am
I look forward to visiting your new offices in the Chelsea District. I'll wait until everything has its place and everyone is settled and happy.
You amaze me.
Cheryle Gagnon
Posted by: BirthdaySignUp | February 20th, 2009 at 4:26 am
That is a beautidul building. i have only seen pictures of it, but the pictures make it look so beautiful. Its old, alot of history
Posted by: david | March 11th, 2009 at 3:44 am
For weddings and when babies are born you want to give them something speical.Well I had a Ideal.People who are starting out want to keep track of both sides of the famliy that way they will have it for there children.And they cen pass it on from person.But keep it mind.Right now it has to be affordiable.Like at Wal-mart.
Posted by: Krystal Kirkland | April 17th, 2009 at 7:42 pm