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b r e a k i n g n e w s a t L EA D ER P O ST . C O M S ec t i o n F
S at u r day, F eb rua ry 2, 2013
Find perfect touches for home office Capture look of elegance for any space Jeffrey Fisher For Postmedia News Q: I recently decided to leave my corporate job to pursue my true passion — fine jewelry sales. I have a private clientele that does not require me to have an actual retail space and I am now fortunate to work from home. I mainly visit my clients in their homes but periodically they do come to mine. I’ve always had a very nondescript home office but now that I spend every day in it and receive occasional clients, I want it to be a special space that reflects the high-end product I represent. Do you have any ideas to create an elegant home office? A: Congratulations on making the leap to entrepreneurship and self-employment. I have a couple
of friends who have started their own businesses in the past couple of years and they could not be happier. Coming from a corporate environment, it’s important for you to carve out a specific space in your home that is your office. Now that you have no one to answer to but yourself, you can be more creative with your workspace, and that space needs to reflect the tony gems you sell. Cynthia Mason of Cynthia Mason Interiors (exuberanthome.com) designed the home office pictured here, and I hope you feel as inspired by it for your home office as I do for you. Not that I’ve ever been to the private shopping salon at Harry Winston, but I imagine this office looks like it. And if the space you are designing is not as large as this one appears, fear not, because you can create something equally as ele gant on a smaller scale. The neutral palette of varying shades of cream, platinum and g rey with the blue accent makes for
a sophisticated backdrop whether you’ re hosting a client or balancing the books. Picture this room with an accent colour in a rich jewel tone of amethyst or emerald. Either would be gorg eous and would work just as well with the neutrals. The oversized and wellspaced medallion in the wallpaper provides a great foundation for this room to build on. I encourage you to use an equally impressive wallpaper because it will reward you every time a client is amazed as they walk into your office. The platinum-coloured silk draperies with the tiebacks attaching onto the covered curtain rod make for a feminine and luxurious window treatment. I love how they appear ball gown-like (and what do women typically wear with ball gowns? Exactly!). T he cream lacquered desk, designed by Barbara Barry, continues the feminine theme of the room. I noticed it was facing the opposite way and Ms. Mason confirms that they turned
it for the photo to show the lovely drawer fronts. The ottoman is from Robert Allen and not only is the blue velvet used here and on the desk chair, it’s also used as piping on the two guest chairs. It’s all in the details. A chandelier hanging in the centre of your office will be the ideal accessory to add a bit of bling to your space. Picture a crystal fixture dangling there like a diamond drop earring — and you might even find one featuring jewel-toned crystals. When you wrote asking for design advice with your home office, I’m not sure you were looking for a full-on transformation, but, remember, you did say you wanted it to reflect the high-end product you sell. This office looks like it was designed specifically for you and your exciting new adventure. I hope you study this photo carefully and create an elegant home office that you look forward to going to every day. Good luck with everything. askjeffrey@gmail.com
A high-end sales operation, even a home-based one, should look the part. Here, a sophisticated office that’s welcoming and comfortable.
Winner of 5 RRHBA 2012 Master Awards
including Best New Home 1499 sq. ft. and Customer Satisfaction
“Thank you to all our hardworking staff on site and in the office & our wonderful clients. We are so thankful to do what we love everyday.”
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★ Green Meadow M d Park P k was completed in 2012. Featuring ponds, mature trees, walkways, a playground structure and plenty of open space, Green Meadow Park is the activity hub of The Greens On Gardiner and is the largest new park in Regina. For the active family, now is the best time to buy a home in The Greens On Gardiner. Phase 3 lots, only minutes from the park, are available now. Visit our new showhomes and let us show you why The Greens on Gardiner is a Great Place to Live!
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