I admit that I am a just a shade insane about home offices. I don' t like them! And I hate the look of office chairs. Why are so many so ugly? But that's beside the point...

My boyfriend and I have had more than a few "chats" about a home office. If it were up to him he'd have a big corner desk with filing and shelving and office supply organization. It makes me cringe. I am more the tuck-the-computer-into-a-cabinet or the laptop-on-a-TV-table type, but he needs to stretch out and really get the full experience.

So, compromise, right? We decided there would be no use of laptops on TV tables, but there also would not be a big sprawling monstrosity with every accommodation for paper clips and staplers.

I was reminded of my recent desk woes while surfing At Home with Kim Vallee today and I saw this whimsical work station from Miso Soup Design. It's compact, cute and not too "desk-y." Just the way I like them.

This add-on desk is a very cool if you've already got an IKEA EXPEDIT bookcase at home -- very affordable at $59.99.

And finally, what did we end up with after all those strongly-worded conversations about home offices? We compromised on the Sloane Leaning Desk and Bookcases from Crate&Barrel. It's actually three separate pieces: two bookshelves and the desk part.They can all be purchased separately, but you save a bit if you buy them together. The entire unit is $399 Canadian (US prices are listed on crateandbarrel.com).