Last week’s post was about working from home and how best to deal with the newly improvised self-isolation work schedule. Guess I hit a nerve as I received numerous on and offline comments, mostly about desk chairs.
In some of the inspiration photos there were home-offices with dining chairs and armchairs. If you only have a dining chair available I also encouraged you to press it into service. Of course that’s only a short term remedy, as being seated in a not ergonomically correct chair all day eventually wreaks havoc on the body and posture deteriorates.
Being comfortable is paramount to working efficiently and making it through the work day. To help obtain a level of comfort the 2 essential items I recommend you focus on is an ergonomic office chair and a task lamp. If space and budget allows, add in a desk or small writing table.
I’ve been sourcing on-line, so you don’t have to, for the best chairs at various price points. Consider also refurbished office equipment and antiques from auction houses such as Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Doyle’s. Brown antique furniture is finally making its way back into living rooms and bedrooms and also remains relatively inexpensive.
This is my desk chair and I wouldn’t swap it for anything - it’s fully ergonomic so you can adjust it into the perfect position - it’s one of the more expensive chairs but if you’re looking to make an investment, this is the way to go and currently it’s on sale at Design Within Reach Aeron Chair by Herman Miller
This is my second choice - love the timeless sleek silhouette of the Eames Aluminium Group Management chair with hydraulic lift - Design Within Reach
Reply upholstered desk chair - Steelcase
You can customize the metal frame and fabric upholstery on both desk chairs and are currently on sale at Steelcase
Cob desk chair - Steelcase
The Tolomeo micro lamp has a very unobtrusive profile that’s also great as a bedside light - Design Within Reach
If Swedish Modernism is your thing, this Grasshopper Table lamp with an articulating powder coated steel shade designed by Greta Magnussen Grossman is elegantly sculptural and I’m particularly taken with the solid brass frame and fabric covered electrical cord - a seamless fit in a home environment - Design Within Reach
Kelly Wearstler’s Cleo table lamp from Circa Lighting
Minimal profile of Klee 18 table lamp - Circa Lighting
I recently completed a development residential complex project and was pleased to rediscover CB2. I bought several desks because the scale is perfectly suited to a home office and the price is right.
The Drommen Desk is one that I’ve purchased for clients’ home offices and been a total success
Bianca Parsons table with a modern 70’s silhouette wrapped in a durable lacquered linen
Old world elegance of the Dahlia white Banswara marble desk has a nice residential feel to it
Sustainability is of increasing global importance and buying antiques fits the bill. Shopping around the antique stores and auction houses one can discover some remarkable collectibles. The mid-century modern 5-drawer desk above is from Sothebys Home for $750.00, a great bargain and helps save the planet too.
From the Scandinavian furniture company Royal Board mid-20th century trestle base desk - Sothebys Home
An elegant bureau desk with classic cabriolet legs finished in grey and light pink from Etsy