Tuesday’s Design Detail

Newsflash for all the workers of London: official advice is to work from home during the Olympics!

This overly hyped statement coming from government officials stems from the anticipated gridlock of public transport this summer, I’m not sure employers across this fair city will be too happy with the idea.   Nonetheless, according to some statistic I saw somewhere (not very scientific I know), 1 in 10 of us works from home.  With almost everyone now connected via smartphones, iPads and iCloud computing, it begs the question whether a home office is now redundant as we work on the move?  I can’t imagine that that’s the case at all.  Here are some ideas for a different kind of desk for your home.

1. Cortes Desk, Julian Chichester

We are all living in smaller spaces, and the tendency is to buy smaller furniture.  This is not always practical for a desk, as you need space around your laptop to lay out work and drawers to put things away so at the end of the day there’s not a pile of mess staring at you from across the room.  This Cortes Desk by a personal favourite Julian Chichester is beautifully stylish with a black vellum top, gilded legs and sycamore lined drawers.

2.  The Savile Table, Soane

If your desk looks this gorgeous then there is more incentive to sit down and do some productive work.  It’s also important to sit in a supportive chair and not have your laptop in your lap.  With a handsome desk like this Savile Table from Soane, you could feel as if you were the chairman of the board!

3. Rewrite Desk, Ligne Roset

If you truly are pushed for space, I love this quirky Rewrite Desk from Ligne Roset.  Household noise can be banished with this soundproofed, simple and compact walnut desk that features a curved hood made from fibreglass and upholstered in sound-absorbing foam and covered in a natural woolen fabric from Kvadrat where you can choose from a range of fun colours.

4. Xavier Writing Desk, Birgit Israel

If you want something a bit more glamorous, then why not try this Xavier Writing Desk from Birgit Israel.  The top is covered in parchment and finished with a gloss lacquer, with brass escutcheons and legs.  I love this piece in the flesh, it is glamours and practical in size with 3 drawers.

5. Copper and Walnut Desk, Paul Kelley 

If you are after something a bit different (and also space saving!) then this Copper and Walnut desk from Paul Kelley might be just for you.  The solid and industrial look and feel resembles an old water tank that has been left out to the elements, but when it is opened you are presented with a comfortable leather upholstered chair.  This might be perfect if you live in a warehouse style apartment!

Would you like to work from home? If so, which would be your desk of choice?