Katy Lifestyles and Homes magazine May 2009: Home Workspaces, Infusing function with contemporary style

There’s a Magic in What They Can Do

Dunn’s Designs

Everyone needs “their favorite chair.” A place where you can just be comfortable. Dunn’s Designs has a variety of sofas and chairs to choose from that will make you smile the whole time you ’re relaxing or entertaining or doing whatever you want to do. Dunn’s Designs—there’s magic in what they can do for your home.

21931 Katy Freeway (I-10 & Mason – Jason’s Deli Center); 281-392-3505.

www.dunnsdesigns.com

A Truly Unique Home Decor Store

the design firm

The Design Firm can be considered one of the top home decor sites as well as a truly unique home decor store. From over 900 manufacturers worldwide, room settings have been painstakingly created and accessorized —European Traditional to Modern and Contemporary.

An unusually high level of creativity and a skillful approach to each client’s property has been the reason so many homeowners have been so delighted with their new living environments from The Design Firm.

Visit them at 13013 Southwest Freeway. 281-494-4433; www.thedesignfirm.com.

Island Tops, Mantles, Tables & More

Hawkins Furniture

Proof that handcrafting is not a lost art in Texas can be found at Hawkins Furniture Company. Mesmerize your family and friends with heirlooms made from hand selected rich, strong grains of pecan, mesquite, long-leaf pine and black walnut. Custom orders for new or replacement island tops, dining tables and more are welcome.

1811 Avenue G in Rosenberg; 281-341-0479. www.hawkinsfurniture.com

Family Time

Plantation Furniture

Plantation Furniture offers the furniture that busy families are looking for, mostly casual traditional styles at affordable prices. Everything you need to furnish your home can be found in one location. They have been taking care of families for over 25 years, and since they are family owned and operated they give you the personalized attention you want.

1247 FM 359; 281-341-7788.

www.plantationfurniture.com

chair is the classic.”

Next, you’ll need a desk or something similar to accommodate your electronic equipment. The American Home Furnishings Alliance, the world ’s largest trade association devoted to American furniture manufacturers, has a wealth of information available on its Web site to help consumers find the right furniture for their specific needs.

For example, a great contemporary workspace configuration choice noted for its simplicity and modern stylistic appeal is Danforth from Hooker Furniture, or the Asian-inspired sophistication of Glenhill, also by Hooker. Both offer a small footprint in terms of space requirements, but neither skimps when it comes to accommodating a homeowner ’s portable electronic devices.

Another great choice for home office configurations is Sligh Furniture’s Alante in warm cherry and Mira in beautiful mahogany, both are considered by many to be the gold standard of home office furnishings. Sligh also offers a non-traditional home office approach with the Loft 102 line, which can be used in various rooms of the home and reconfigured to

meet changing needs.

“In a space that’s contemporary and with a contemporary chair, also consider warming things up a bit with wood furniture that takes the edge off and creates an eclectic style, ” adds Sligh. “Make sure that the wood furniture is not just beautiful but also practical in its functional accommodation of today ’s electronics.”

Good lighting is also an important part of any home workspace design. Task lighting, whether through recessed ceiling or pendant lighting directly over the workspace or with the use of desk lamps or wall-mounted lamps, is a vital ingredient in the success of a workspace design. Also consider adding accent lighting, which can provide a calm and serene environment that inspires productivity.

Ultimately, of course, your home workspace should reflect your personal tastes and lifestyle, while allowing you to be as productive as possible when you ’re working at home.

Here’s hoping you find the home workspace design that works best for you.