| Would you rather have a comfortable cottage style | | | | applying with a soft rag. Metal filing cabinets can be |
| home office instead of one with an industrial blue chair | | | | taken to a body shop and spray painted a pleasing |
| and metal filing cabinets? My 10 tips will get you | | | | color. |
| started. | | | | 7. Art Smart. Hang some of your favorite art in your |
| 1. Bright White. Paint your old brown wooden desk and | | | | office for enjoyment. Frame old greeting cards or your |
| wooden chair white with a satin finish paint. It will | | | | children's artwork for a quick dollarwise solution. Frame |
| brighten up your room immediately and the satin finish | | | | your certificates in favorite frames. |
| will be more durable and easy to clean than flat paint. | | | | 8. Screen It. Hide your copier, fax, and other office |
| 2. Charming Chair. Buy a twin sheet and pillowcase in | | | | equipment behind a white shuttered screen when not |
| your favorite cottage style print. Put the pillowcase | | | | in use. |
| over the back of any regular office style chair (the | | | | 9. Lamp Luster. Buy an inexpensive floral lampshade |
| kind without arms). Fold the sheet in a square and | | | | for an old lamp you already have. |
| place it on the seat. Both can easily be removed for | | | | 10. Flower Finesse. Buy fresh flowers for your home |
| washing. | | | | office to add cheer and happiness while you work. I |
| 3. Creative Containers. Look through your kitchen | | | | bought a sweet bouquet at the grocery store today |
| cabinets to find any pretty containers to hold pens, | | | | for just $4.99. |
| highlighters, scissors, stamps, etc. Mugs and small | | | | -cont'd- |
| pitchers work well. | | | | Put on your thinking cap and you'll be sure to come up |
| 4. Rug Regard. Purchase a colorful cotton rug to | | | | with your own creative ideas for creating a warm and |
| spruce up the floor and add happy color. | | | | inviting cottage style home office for yourself that you'll |
| 5. Pretty Paint. Paint your walls your favorite color. | | | | want to spend time in every day. |
| Color is important for productivity as well as calm. | | | | C 2006 Kathryn Bechen Designs. All rights reserved |
| 6. File Faux. Consider whitewashing your wooden filing | | | | worldwide. |
| cabinets using ½ paint and ½ water and | | | | |