Ann, my understanding of the zones, from an article I read years ago, is that they really only take into account the lowest probable temperature that one might encounter during the course of the winter. It went on to say that this does'nt mean that it's the lowest POSSIBLE temperature, since we obviously get the occasional night or two when it goes below the "zone low" temp. It also mentions that not every night during winter will go down to the temperature range for the zone (for example here in zone 6, not every night will be between 0 and -10). It would be considered normal for zone 6 to get no more than perhaps 10 - 12 nights during one winter where it will get down to those temperatures, but if those 10 - 15 nights occurred consecutively, that would be considered not normal. And the main problem with the zone approach is that it doesn't take into account how long the temperature remains at these lows, nor how it recovers by day, which really makes all the difference. We've had a very mild winter so far, and if I went strictly by overnight lows, then I'm in zone 8 (!) but the daytime highs here, although very pleasant, are nowhere near as warm as a true zone 8 would be. And a low of 24 for instance here can last many, many hours, while in a true zone 8 it may only last for a couple of hours before dawn, and then the daytime temperature may climb to the 50's or 60's, whereas here the daytime high may slowly climb to the upper 30's. Just and example, but I think you can see what I mean. But, having said all this, I always remember that plants can't read zone maps (!) so if I think something I like has a chance, even if I have to site it, protect and pamper it, then I'll give it a try. Why not? Makes interesting gardening and maybe I'll discover that the books were wrong about a plant's zone rating. That's what happened with Clerodendron trichotomum. I always see it rated for zone 7, but mine has been growing and blooming happily here for over 20 years, and it's at the windy, northwest corner of (but not close to) the house.

I have kept my Bolivian Rainbow about 4 inches below a 3' fluorescent tube, which is attached under an overhead cabinet over my desk. The light goes on with a timer, so the plant gets light also when I am not in the office. If you do not have any windows close by, get a fluorescent desk lamp, which you can put close to your plants. 6 feet is quite far from the light for peppers. You do not need any special grow lamp, normal fluorescent or energy savings lamp is OK. Do not use the regular incandescent bulbs; they do not have the right spectrum for plants. Here is a link that might be useful: fluorescent desk lamps

Thank you all for sharing your desks and ideas. I am going to research several options but now I know what I'm looking for. I would love to be able to sit at this desk and write a letter or two. This desk was a wedding gift to my gr-gr-grandmother and was brought by oxen cart from Nebraska to Iowa. I treasure it in every way so I will definately never paint it. Items like this, as well as mirrors, make me wonder about the person who used it and what their thoughts might have been. I'd love if others would like to continue to share their pictures but I feel I have some good ideas now as well as knowing some of the search words. Blotter, that's what I had forgotten. Also, thanks for the great links. I knew you'd all be able to help me out again.

Redbazel and Oceanna, thank you for the lovely comments you gave me. I do follow some "rules", but mostly I do what pleases my "eye". I tend to go more elaborate than some people, but I love simplicity too. Accessorizing is such a personal thing, everyone needs to pinpoint their style and go with that, what may be "too much" for one, is just right for another. LOL As others have mentioned using odd numbers is pleasing, using a trianglar shape/outline of your chosen items works (so your eye "travels"), using a plant, having objects that go from tall to short, keeping in a color scheme, keeping in a theme in general, using plates, dishes, bowls, platters works (for me). Adding in a small portrait of one's loved one is always a nice personal touch too. The choices are only limited by what you own in your home, sometimes you might have to go and buy something to finish off your look, but I have found that what I buy will look lovely elsewhere and is not limited to where you put it (unless it is a seasonal item (Christmas accessory etc.)But, you would be surprised at just how much you already do own and will be able to set up a look that will suit you and your home. I will often see something done somewhere else and I just use reasonable subsitutions, as long as the shapes, style, colors are there, you can probably carry off the "inspiration" look fairly easily. My home, well currently, but always in flux :) On coffee table: right now, my collection of crystal decanters, some that I purchased when I lived in Germany about 30 yrs ago, some that I have purchased in more recent years. Candlesticks, and 80% of the time I will be displaying books (I have many, many books, so while I look at them, they are also displayed). Little bird nest under a glass dome with natural color bird. I like putting the elegant with the more simple or natural look sometimes. My coffee table changes looks constantly, I recycle my accessories all through my home as my whim dictates. End tables: both tables have a lamp, the lamps do not match, on one end table is a modern simple-lined crystal lamp, and with it is a set of blue and white Staffordshire "style" dogs. Plant (real this time, but I will also use nice "fakes") green round plate on stand, very small photo of my DD in a silver frame. Both tables have glass coasters for holding my beverage of choice (I don't ever forget that my end tables/coffee table still has to be practical LOL) The other end table has a lamp in a burnished gold candlestick style lamp, a bust of a woman, 2 bookends with 3 of my current favorite books in-between and in this case a nice fake plant/flower arrangement in an urn, this look is about to changed this weekend. My end tables change a lot too, again according to my whim, I do have a few near and dear things from my travels and gifts so I like to be able to display them, just not all at once and not always in the same spot, that way my "eye" appreciates them all over again..I find if an accessory stays in the same place for a while, my "eyes" cease to "see" them anymore, so when I put them in a new location I enjoy them all over again. On walls of DR, botanicals, bird drawings, sometimes I highlight my collection of dishes and platters on the wall, (this way I get to use my large collection of dishes for not just dining off of, but out in the open to look at too as a decorative accessory. I am getting ready to rotate a mirror that is in another room to the DR. LR: Large mirror over couch (right now), I am going to add either more botanicals or bird drawings and 2 corbels with a dish perched on each one, or maybe even a blue and white vase from my collection, it all depends on what I do in my DR since they are connected and visible to each other. Accessories in kitchen: I have a few ceramic roosters (near and dear to my heart, not just because they are a certain "style", but because my father was brought up on a poultry farm, so it is a loving "nod" to him). Again, I don't put them ALL out at once (I have the worlds smallest kitchen), I will rotate the ones I have in and out depending on the look that I want at that time. Bedroom: Right now the linens are green and white, I have stacked mirrored boxes on the end table for a bit of glam and usefullness, and I have stacked boxes of green and white boxes on top of my large wall unit (for looks and usefulness, storage is important to me since my home is tiny). Small collection of elegant mini clocks, large apothecary glass jar (I love these jars, I have MANY) with white rose heads, on other tiny end table my very large and tall creamy white rabbit, more books (books are everywhere, well almost) LOL. Art on walls. Bathroom: Apothecary glass jars, filled with cotton balls, and other necessities. One tall jar with nest and greenery. Well, no books in here LOL , my bathroom is in the "wrecked" stage right now, needs new walls, floor etc. so I am not particularly decorative in there. Sorry this is so long....