IN Shaler Spring 2016 | Page 23

SPECIAL SECTION: HOME IMPROVEMENT Spine-Health.com for some helpful suggestions on choosing the right chair that will work best for you. Just because you don’t have an entire room in your house to dedicate to your home office doesn’t mean that you can’t have a dedicated workspace. Even a closet can be transformed into a workspace with the right planning, and the whole office can be put away at day’s end by simply closing the closet door. If you have even less space to work with, try a wall-mounted desk that can be extended when in use and can collapse flush with the wall when it’s not. Cubby holes built into the interior wall area can also provide places for storage in a tight space. A creative builder can help you make the most of your available space. If your office is not separated from the rest of your home and building a wall is not an option, there are still attractive ways to define your workspace. For example, tall wooden shutters can be linked together with hinges and painted to any color to create a private area. Though not soundproof, they can create an intimate atmosphere of privacy when needed for oneself or seeing clients. Tall silk plants, such as a series of ficus trees, can also be used to divide the space. Don’t skimp on your office chair! It’s likely a place where you will be sitting for several hours every single day. Make sure that it’s comfortable and provides plenty of lumbar support, in addition to being an attractive addition to your office. Visit THE GREAT ESCAPE – YOUR BATHROOM Though your bathroom may not spring to mind as the place to hold your next cocktail party, with the right accoutrements, your bath can be a great place to hang out and enjoy life. And if you live with family members, it may be the only place in your house where you can truly be alone for a bit. Besides just being a place to “get ready” to meet the day, it’s also a relaxing space to recharge your batteries after a long week at work. Hydrotherapy is one of the best ways to relieve stress and help tired, overworked muscles. With tons of specialized showerheads, you can have everything from the sprinkle of a gentle rain to an invigorating massage to bring your body back to center. And a nice relaxing bath in a soaker tub can make the world go away for a while. Does all of this sound like a fantasy? Maybe not. According to designer Mary Laipple, Director of the Kitchen and Bath Design Studio at 84 Lumber, you may be able to make updates to your bath for less than you might expect. “If a homeowner is just updating and not moving plumbing, heating ducts and electricity, the makeover can start at around Edge Painting Residential & Commercial Interiors and Exteriors Flexible Hours to accommodate any scheduling needs Eco-Friendly Options Professional, Prompt & Efficient FREE Detailed Estimates 412.821.3804 | [email protected] Fully Insured | PA#13642 Continued Shaler | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 21