Having a grand view is undoubtedly a luxury, especially while seated at an at-home office desk! The daylight shining in will enhance your face naturally for virtual meetings. This stunning office space is featured inside of Joy de Rohan Chabot's 15th century French chateau.
Several darling subscribers inquired about how to enhance their new WFH (work from home) office. If you have space to dedicate as your WFH office, have fun with it! Allow your new "office" to reflect your personality, passions, and interests in the same way that you would treat the interiors of your house. Quietly adorn the background for a Zoom meeting in a classic and timeless way. Perhaps a Christmas wish list for a few goodies to enhance your WFH office is in order?!
It is imperative to create a dedicated workspace that reflects you, makes you happy, and maintains the distinction between work and play... yet, it does not have to be all work and no play, right? Create a place you want to spend time in, yet structured enough that you will work! My daughter-in-law, Karen, and I are designing a stunning workspace for a very notable CEO, who will be working from her Florida home in the winter, instead of Connecticut. Here are a few suggestions we considered; ones you may want to think about as well:
~ If you are fortunate to have an ocean view or something marvelous to look at, treat yourself to that view when positioning your desk, even if it means your desk is not in a traditional position in the room!
~Thoughtfully contemplate the “background” for your Zoom sessions. A sense of symmetry is always pleasing. A fireplace, a lovely piece of artwork, even a black television screen work well. It is best not to have a window as the background unless the curtains are closed, as the light source will overpower the viewer’s computer image, and it will be challenging for your audience to see you from their screens.
If you have to sit in front of existing wallpaper, consider that what you wear for the Zoom meeting should ultimately complement the colors and design on the walls, and not fight with it! This space was designed by Susan Farcy Interior Design.
~If your wallpaper design is too busy, think about painting the room or one wall for your Zoom background. Choose a color you adore! At Fox Hall, my office is a Benjamin Moore OC-73 “Opal White,” a yummy peachy white, naturally enhancing any outfit or complexion! Or, simply paint the room all white, while also keeping the decorative distractions minimal.
~ Another chair with an ottoman or a chaise in the office is not just a decadent accessory! Use it to take a break from your desk, to read, or contemplate your work... and hopefully, not fall asleep!
~Place a tray upon the ottoman for another surface to hold your necessary papers for the day.
~Transform an existing chest-of-drawers into a credenza for your files, papers, etc. Move your clothes to another location if possible.
~Consider using a sleek desk. We specified a stunning glass desk for our client that will allow the new decorative carpet, a handsome statement piece, to be admired!
Since you are home, why not indulge in an attractive lamp and flowers or a pretty plant for your desk? This WFH area was designed by Elizabeth Guest featuring Brunschwig and Fils curtains.
~Good light is essential, whether daylight or task lighting. Splurge on an attractive lamp for your desk, one that you delight in each time you turn it on! Add a light fixture above for an added light source.
~Keep a vase of flowers on your desk or an orchid plant, creating a sense of luxury, which will transform the workplace into a place you want to work.
~Get the best and most comfortable desk chair you can afford. Think white, instead of black, for the upholstery. If you sit at the desk minimally, think about using an attractive side chair instead of a swivel work chair.
~ Add a decorative kidney-shaped pillow (rectangular shape vs. square) to place behind your back for lumbar support and added beauty to the room!
~Install curtain panels that are “inter-lined” in flannel. They will not only look attractive and hang brilliantly, but will assist in noise reduction. When a window is behind you, close the curtain panels to eliminate daylight for a Zoom call.
~Arrange to have more plug sockets installed near your desk, a charging station, and have the cords hidden in a box. Cable organizer boxes are available in white or black from Amazon.
~If you need a television to watch the stock market or breaking news, think about its placement and how the light sources in the room will affect viewing the screen.
~Hang artwork that speaks to you so that you can embrace the “uniquely-you-atmosphere,” bringing you joy when you enter into your home office, yet, discrete enough for a workspace.
~ Finally, try your best to eliminate clutter on your desk. Good luck with that aspect! (Ha! Note to self, Holly!)
Notice how all of these “make-do” home offices have beautiful lamps and flowers. These added accessories are what make your work environment beautiful and add a layer of decadence to your new work and living space. Treat yourself to these adornments as a little happy gift to see each day! This image is from flowermag.com and features Loggia wallpaper from Meg Braff Designs.
Grandmillennial Tips:
Of course, a separate office room is ideal! If space and budget are limited, have an open mind and think of potential workspace differently: create a desk under a staircase, transform a closet or niche into a work surface with shelves above, or install a floating work shelf without legs on a wall.
For visual Zoom continuity, take photographs of the background of where you sit at your desk, both day and night. Use these as a digital backdrop for your Zoom calls when you have to leave your office and Zoom from a different location.
A scarf as art? We choose to have a 35” x 35” Hermes scarf framed to hang on the wall behind a desk in Boston. I doubt anyone on a Zoom call would even know what it is because of the architectural design elements and neutral colors. Yet, the scarf adds a subtle touch of glamour to the office, reflecting the CEO’s personality and penchant for fashion!
Forbidden Faux Pas:
No-no: To have photographs of your family displayed in the background for your Zoom.
What is done: Strive to create an illusion that you are indeed working. Place your beloved pictures on your desk to enjoy, privately!