Comfort

When I renovated my place three years ago, I had put off the den - because I couldn't decide what I wanted.  And then last year it all of a sudden dawned on me: I no longer need a space for work, so wanted soomething more relaxing.  A room with a more natural feel to it.   This would entrail wood, plants, stones, and the like - natural materials.  However, there's still all the logistics of making a space work.  In a relaxing space, I don't want to see a printer, binders, staplers, and other office stuff.  This meant that I need open and closed storage.  Well, take a look at nice storage units in this city and the prices will knock your pants off.  As with the rest of my place, I knew I'd have to resort to designing my own, buying the wood, and finding someone to build it for me.  Work got in the way, and last year I didn't want to deal with it.

A couple of months ago I was driving down Main Street in Canmore when a desk in a store's window grabbed my attention and I knew that this was it.  It was big, had beautiful reclaimed wood fronts, and coupled with metal legs, mainatained a contemporary look.  But, the price could have knocked off more than one's pants, so I started looking for duplicates.  One day later I found one at Crate & Barrell.  I fell in love, and decided that a desk wouldn't be what someone would build for me.  I wanted this as an accent piece.  I ordered it, and today it finally arrived.  Unfortunately I have it placed against the window where one can't appreciate it's back side - a roomy book shelf - but I am very happy with it.  And the shelf has proved very useful in shoving in the subwoofer, cabling, etc.

My new desk - metal lamp will have to go

Back side of the desk at the store

In addition to the new desk, the walls are painted (Chocolate Therapy accent wall and Tapestry for the rest) and the new valance is up.  Now I need to design the shelving, order some black walnut, and when my parents are back from vacation, my dad's being put to work.  Very handy - build it in the garage and then bring it over.  I'll also have to do some research into oils and varnishes.  No toxic chemicals on my new stuff.  And to complete the look, I'm looking at art ledges for the wall (easily built from scraps) - those will hold some rocks and other little things.

I've also been debating a hardwood floor (IKEA version) with a rug over it as opposed to this boring berber, but that will have to wait.  So, as I was browsing for ideas, I came across very unique seating options.  They all look 'different', but so very comfortable.  This is the type of stuff that gets us designers excited.

Birdie Chair

Balancing Lounge

Rocking Chair

Anatomically correct chair for men

Here's a den design post I wrote last October.  Now that this is turning into a more loungey space, what should I call it?  'Study' is too work-like, and 'den' sounds old-fasioned too (boy's gun room, anyone?).  Any thoughts?