diff --git a/shell/model/BuddyModel.py b/shell/model/BuddyModel.py
index a06a728a..2339832f 100644
--- a/shell/model/BuddyModel.py
+++ b/shell/model/BuddyModel.py
@@ -84,6 +84,11 @@ class BuddyModel(gobject.GObject):
     def get_buddy(self):
         return self._buddy
 
+    def is_owner(self):
+        if not self._buddy:
+            return False
+        return self._buddy.props.owner
+
     def is_present(self):
         if self._buddy:
             return True
diff --git a/shell/view/home/FriendsBox.py b/shell/view/home/FriendsBox.py
index 6f1cdb7d..71b90263 100644
--- a/shell/view/home/FriendsBox.py
+++ b/shell/view/home/FriendsBox.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ from sugar.graphics import units
 from view.home.MyIcon import MyIcon
 from view.home.FriendView import FriendView
 
-class FriendsBox(SpreadBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
+class FriendsBox(SpreadBox):
     __gtype_name__ = 'SugarFriendsBox'
     def __init__(self, shell, menu_shell):
         SpreadBox.__init__(self, background_color=0xe2e2e2ff)
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class FriendsBox(SpreadBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
         self._friends = {}
 
         self._my_icon = MyIcon(units.LARGE_ICON_SCALE)
-        self.append(self._my_icon, hippo.PACK_FIXED)
+        self.set_center_item(self._my_icon)
 
         friends = self._shell.get_model().get_friends()
 
@@ -56,10 +56,3 @@ class FriendsBox(SpreadBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
     def _friend_removed_cb(self, data_model, key):
         self.remove_item(self._friends[key])
         del self._friends[key]
-
-    def do_allocate(self, width, height, origin_changed):
-        SpreadBox.do_allocate(self, width, height, origin_changed)
-
-        [icon_width, icon_height] = self._my_icon.get_allocation()
-        self.set_position(self._my_icon, (width - icon_width) / 2,
-                          (height - icon_height) / 2)
diff --git a/shell/view/home/MeshBox.py b/shell/view/home/MeshBox.py
index 218a44d8..fa85b033 100644
--- a/shell/view/home/MeshBox.py
+++ b/shell/view/home/MeshBox.py
@@ -278,7 +278,10 @@ class MeshBox(SpreadBox):
 
     def _add_alone_buddy(self, buddy_model):
         icon = BuddyIcon(self._shell, self._menu_shell, buddy_model)
-        self.add_item(icon)
+        if buddy_model.is_owner():
+            self.set_center_item(icon)
+        else:
+            self.add_item(icon)
 
         self._buddies[buddy_model.get_key()] = icon
 
diff --git a/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py b/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py
index 24e12f39..ff50f71e 100644
--- a/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py
+++ b/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py
@@ -22,20 +22,31 @@ import gtk
 
 from sugar.graphics import units
 
+_WIDTH = gtk.gdk.screen_width()
+_HEIGHT = gtk.gdk.screen_height()
 _CELL_WIDTH  = units.grid_to_pixels(1)
 _CELL_HEIGHT = units.grid_to_pixels(1)
-_GRID_WIDTH  = gtk.gdk.screen_width() / _CELL_WIDTH
-_GRID_HEIGHT = gtk.gdk.screen_height() / _CELL_HEIGHT
+_GRID_WIDTH  = _WIDTH / _CELL_WIDTH
+_GRID_HEIGHT = _HEIGHT / _CELL_HEIGHT
 
-class SpreadBox(hippo.CanvasBox):
+class SpreadBox(hippo.CanvasBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
+    __gtype_name__ = 'SugarSpreadBox'
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         hippo.CanvasBox.__init__(self, **kwargs)
 
         self._grid = []
+        self._center = None
 
         for i in range(0, _GRID_WIDTH * _GRID_HEIGHT):
             self._grid.append(None)
 
+    def set_center_item(self, item):
+        if self._center:
+            self.remove(self._center)
+
+        self._center = item
+        self.append(item, hippo.PACK_FIXED)
+
     def add_item(self, item):
         start_pos = int(random.random() * len(self._grid))
 
@@ -60,3 +71,11 @@ class SpreadBox(hippo.CanvasBox):
             if self._grid[i] == item:
                 self._grid[i] = None
         self.remove(item)
+        
+    def do_allocate(self, width, height, origin_changed):
+        hippo.CanvasBox.do_allocate(self, width, height, origin_changed)
+
+        if self._center:
+            [icon_width, icon_height] = self._center.get_allocation()
+            self.set_position(self._center, (width - icon_width) / 2,
+                              (height - icon_height) / 2)