vey 25 - Friday, March 9, 1990 - North Shere News Io) 1990.9 Home-based offices gaining popularity WHERE CAN you balance your budget, send a fax, juggle two phone lines and make iunch for your toddler all at once? In your personal home office, of course -— an institution that’s fast grow- ing in popularity among people from various profes- sional backgrounds. By PEGGY TRENDELIL-WHITTAKER News Reporter The rising number of small businesses and the availability of sophisticated communications equipment means more and more people are able 10 take advantage of the benefits offered by a home-based office environment. Barry Griblin is a West Van- couver architect who has not only designed a number of home of- fices, but has also experienced the ups and downs of running his own business from home. According to Griblin, the most important point to remember when View paint From page 20 room you plan to paint. Envision the paint on the walls as you turn. See how the color changes in dif- ferent areas of the room. USING SAMPLES At the decorating centre, most paint is viewed on a_ horizontal iti WTA a mix designing your home layout is ‘‘to make quite a clear definition be- tween home and office ... You don't want to be plagued with household activities or chores.’’ Franklin Becker, author of The Successful Office, agrees, but notes that the barriers between of- fice and personal living can be more or less permeable depending on one’s individual needs and the space available. A physical divider can range from a one-inch-high strip of molding along the kitchen counter, separating office from household work space, to a Japa- nese screen dividing off part of a room, to an office that is fully enciosed in its own room or even its own floor of the house. A “‘zoned’’ workspace — where the separation between home and office is distinct — usually means fewer interruptions from family members and can give the office user an improved self-image. A well-defined workspace also presents a more professional image to visiting clients. Says Griblin: ‘‘! think it's important for most peo- ple when dealing with clients to present an obvious production of- fice.”” Griblin’s preferred home office setup would see the workplace enclosed in a studio outside the family dwelling, with its own en- trance, decor and identity. While this is feasible in West Vancouver, in North Vancouver City and District, municipal bylaws state that home-based businesses must be conducted en- tirely within the confines of one’s home. Technically, these municipal laws would even prohibit freelance writers or other solitary workers from setting up their computer in the garage. At the federal level, there have been changes regarding the status of various home offices for income tax purposes. Home office ex- penses can still be claimed by self- employed individuals, but only to the extent of the income generated by the home-based business. Prior to the tax reform, any claims ex- ceeding that income could be ap- plied to the revenue generated from a second job. Griblin believes the advantages on horizontal surface surface with a white or off-white baci zround. Remember, you will probably never see the color again this way. The shade will always intensify when applied to a vertical surface. This is why it’s important to ‘live’? with the stripe card for a few days before making a final decision. Some dealers catering to the NI =F Ae WOODSTOP BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD. 1335 Draycott Road North Vancouver, B.C. 986-5281 professional design market may have available larger chips drawn from a designer library. Ask your independent retailer for expert ad- vice on the type of paint you need. Paint can be the fastest and least expensive way to recreate your liv- ing environment. By following these tips, you can easily choose colors that express your personali- ty with confidence and verve. MacMillan Bloedell 2x4 PATIO GRADE CEDAR DECKING * 8-10-12’ lengths Offered by a home office include ‘the freedom of scheduling, the ability to sit down and produce wichout a lot of interruptions from a Jarge staff, and surroundings that are conducive to the kind of work I do.”" One drawback, however, is missing ‘‘the everyday intensity that the city gives off. That is an important thing that you really have to consider.”’ Some people find it necessary to emulate a downtown-like en- vironment in their home office to keep themselves focussed on the task at hand. Becker cites the case of one man who gets up in the morning, shaves, dresses himself in a three- piece suit and, after settling himself in his home office, listens See Home Page 26 KW OAKWORK SOLID PINE & CAK FURNITURE All the furniture in our showroom is manufactured on the premises. ¢ Dining room tables & chairs * Living Room Furniture ¢ Entertainment Centres Bookcases * Bunkbeds ¢ Bedroom Suites érvice & pricest * Large selection of tuton beds JF © [GREAT FOR THE HOME; OR CABINI WE ALSO SPECIALIZE IN] | CUSTOM-MADE FURNITURE | § located at 1142 Boundary Rd. (across 2nd Narrows, left on Hastings, right on Boundary) PHONE 291-1488 PRESSURETREATED LUMBER (DECKING) 2x4 - 840-12’ lengths — 04° tt. 2x6 - 8-10-12’ lengths — 49° ft. HOURS: Mon.tThurs.:7:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday Saturday Sunday 7:00 am - 9:00 pm 9:00 am - 6:00 pm 10:00 am - 5:00 pm