White Spur home office

How much could you get done in this bright, feminine space? The birchwood desk and bookcase feature ornate openwork that takes them to a new decorative level. Instead of a traditional desk chair, we opted for our sleek Lindy slipper chair - so comfy, you could work for hours!

To define the work area, we chose the ribbed Terrain rug in ivory. And because we find art inspiring from a creative-thinking standpoint, we chose the "Pink" abstract giclee. And to keep the "home" in "home office," we chose zingy green Peanut as our desk lamp.

Clarendon Office

We love the elegant efficiency of a traditional office suite, with a built-in place for everything and plenty of workspace. The Clarendon group looks really fresh in its weathered driftwood finish -- a lighter touch that makes it an easy fit in today's more casual living spaces. It even has a matching chair, upholstered in natural linen and with pneumatic height adjustment and swivel/tilt base. The built-in light in the hutch means you don't have to make room for a lamp, so there's even more room to spread out and get your work done.

Our soft blue Oushak rug adds a whisper of color and texture, keeping the "home" in "home office."

"La Porte" Home Office

We feel so "to the manor born" when we?re working at a writing desk -- every bit as functional as an executive-size piece but much more space-friendly. The 'LaPorte' desk is beautifully detailed with fluted legs and bun feet. We?ve paired it with Massoud's 'Marlin' chair in deep blue leather.

The gold 'Tortoise' mini-lamp provides plenty of light and personality with its shell base and squared shade. Our classic 'Oceanside' oushak rug adds subtle colorations and pattern. A cozy fire framed by our 'Caesar' mantel could be a distraction, but it could also encourage you to tackle your to-do's on a cold day (or night).

The 'Fenway' leather sofa updates the timeless Chesterfield style in luscious butter yellow, accented with the colorful 'Toroli' pillow. Balancing the more traditional elements of this office, the 'Going Up' abstract artwork is a lovely splash of impressionistic hues.

"McAllen" Home Office

Imagine how organized and productive you'll be in an office like this! Our McAllen desk, credenza/hutch, and wall cabinet offer plenty of work space, shelving, and storage in a timeless traditional style.You can keep working longer in a luxuriously comfy chair like our tufted leather Landon (yes, it swivels and tilts).

Unique lighting keeps the setting from feeling too serious; we chose the John-Richard contemporary horn lamp, a sculptural beauty in matte brass with a gold-lined black silk shade. One of our top sellers, the Tribute Medallion rug adds rich color in hand-knotted New Zealand wool.

Amid all the reference books, we added intriguing collectibles like a seagrass vase and antique lion statues.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

A window doesn't always provide a beautiful view, but a landscape painting certainly does! We strategically placed the "In A Circle" oil on canvas behind the desk to give this home office a tranquil ambiance conducive to getting a lot done.

To keep the peaceful vibe going, we opted for a neutral palette everywhere else: the "Elizabeth" chair from Haute House is covered in pale linen with self-piping to emphasize its curvy wings, and the "Slattery" acacia-wood desk has a vintage-gray wash -- plus enough drawers and cubbies to make it as practical as it is pretty.

Of course, an office needs task lighting, so we chose a traditional turned-wood table lamp, "Contempo", to keep the look cozy.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

"Elita" Office

We love the mix of natural textures with pops of red and turquoise in this casual setting. The bentwood "Davinia" chair snuggles up to the "Elita" whitewashed wood desk as though they were made for each other. We chose the recycled-glass lamp because it almost disappears, keeping things uncomplicated while providing essential task lighting.

A Moroccan-tile motif gives our "Panthea" wool rug an exotic edge, and chunky handwoven baskets have metal frames for sturdy storage.

The showstopper is the "Lanciano" wall medallion of wood strips pieced together by hand -- we used two to create a dramatic sunburst.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

For a home workspace, why not consider a spacious table as an alternative to a traditional desk? We love the simplicity of this ‘Empress’ table with its graceful legs and subtly distressed black finish.

Our exclusive 'Cambridge' lamp by Jamie Young provides illumination plus style; the black shade complements the desk, and the etched glass base adds texture and shine.

What about storage? Barclay Butera's gorgeous hand-lacquered 'Peking' bookcase has spacious shelves plus concealed storage behind fretwork doors. A hand-glazed mahogany armchair with woven-rush seat echoes the chinoiserie motif. For the guest, a tufted white velvet settee adds a bit of luxury as well as comfort.