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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesDENA'S TROPICAL HOME SOLUTIONS

DENA'S TROPICAL HOME SOLUTIONS

Do you need a desk for your laptop and printer and all the other things you want close at hand without buying a large computer stand? Want to hide as much as possible? Do you want it to be unique-not one of the standard computer desks? Start with a table and use your imagination. Here's what I did.
I started with a table, which is 20 inches deep and 49 inches wide, with one center drawer. I made a "runner" for the table from a piece of upholstery fabric. The runner goes from the floor on the left, over the top of the desk, and down to the floor on the right. Then with the extra material, I sewed on the side pockets to hold mail and pens. I placed the pockets so the mail (folded envelope size) would not show above the level of the desk. Then I placed the laptop on the desk.
I bought decorative boxes to hold items such as stamps, Post-it flags, receipts, ink cartridges, etc. and placed them on the back of the desk. In addition I put a basket behind the laptop to hold more items. It doesn't show when the laptop screen is open. I found a lovely cherry letter box to organize and hide bills, and other papers.
Under the desk are two metal stands sold by office supply stores. My printer is on top of the higher stand. The lower stand under it holds the surge protector and plugs. There is room enough for my footrest under the lower stand. The view of this "mess" is camouflaged by the runner on either side of the desk and by the covered chair in front of it.
For a desk chair, I used a plain folding chair and took the remaining material to make a cushioned seat and back rest. The seat is simply a covered throw cushion that fits the bottom of the chair. The backrest contains a rounded piece of foam to support the lower back. The cover for the back slides over the top of the chair and hangs down to the seat level. I have bookcases on each side of the desk, so everything I need is close at hand.
Where did I find these items? Most are available on-island at Silk Greenery (silk flowers and furniture), The Fabric Store, Office Max, Caribbean Herbals at Tillett Gardens (Jason's heavenly scented candles). The letter box was a mail order item from Levenger in Florida.
Please share your ideas for creating workspaces in small places.

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