Use a distressed table as your desk, or place computer equipment in an armoire crafted with a combination of old doors and new wood. Tables are the most available furnishing in Mexico, and you can easily adapt one for computer use by adding a keyboard tray to the underside. Can't find the right table to use as your desk? A salvaged door placed on a wrought-iron stand will blend beautifully into your Mexican country style office.
Step2
Slide a low two-drawer file cabinet or a rolling storage unit under the table. For additional storage, an antique wooden chest or rustic armoire is ideal.
Step3
Choose your lamp and chair for function. A wrought-iron lamp with a simple paper shade is perfect. A chair upholstered in antique or distressed leather will fit the ambience; for a less expensive option, choose a standard-issue desk chair that adjusts for maximum comfort.
Step4
Find made-in-Mexico baskets or pottery, such as a colorfully painted Talavera bowl or platter, to serve as storage for desktop clutter, including paper clips, stapler and staples, scissors, and the like. Stash pens and pencils in a similar collectible, such as a small flowerpot or vase.
Step5
Fashion one or more striped Mexican blankets into a window treatment - perhaps an upholstered valance or panels on cafe rods. A more subdued alternative is a simple solid-color linen or cotton, perhaps in ecru, on a wrought-iron rod.
Step6
Hang pictures that suggest scenes from Mexico - rugged landscapes or fiesta scenes, for instance. Or hang professional documents in Mexican frames; these frames typically feature rustic carving.
Step7
Add a potted plant whose shape or appearance blends with your mental image of Mexico. Some cacti will grow indoors, and instead of yucca or agave (which are outdoor-only plants), try a similarly spiky-looking member of the dracaena family.
Tips & Warnings
Mexican country style doesn't mean that all furnishings must come from Mexico. Mexico has been influenced by European rulers from Spain and France, so provincial pieces from those nations blend nicely, as do hand-crafted furniture and accessories from other countries. Just keep the feel relaxed, with lots of handmade touches and a few Mexican trademarks in evidence, such as tile, pottery, baskets and wrought iron.
Some Mexican furnishings contain lead paint. Always err on the side of caution when dealing with these pieces, especially with children around. You may want to avoid peeling paint altogether or seal it with a wax or hand-rubbed oil finish to keep it (and its lead content) from becoming airborne.
