Design lesson: Organizing the mud room

Zone 2: Workstation

This compact workstation is an extension of the mud room, situated a couple of steps higher than the entrance. It revolves around a built-in desk that acts as "command central" to a busy mother of two.

• The small window lets in light and offers a place for daydreaming -- or for pestering Mom when she's on the phone. A three-inch box cushion in a lively plaid is accented with green-and-white toile and check fabrics on the cushions.

• A fabric-covered bulletin board is an efficient way to corral the detritus of family life -- birthday party invitations, soccer and dance lesson schedules, and doctor's appointments. This one underscores the green-and-cream colour scheme inspired by the adjacent garden.

• There's storage for paper and pens, and hanging file drawers for important documents.

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