DESIGN Upward Trend

By Trisha Doucette | Photography courtesy of Herman Miller

THE DEMAND FOR HOME OFFICES IS INCREASING AS REMOTE WORK IS HERE TO STAY, AND DESIGNERS ARE ACCOMMODATING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF STYLES.

2020 might easily be called the year of working from home, with 2021 following closely behind. Actually, remote work is a trend that has been growing steadily over the past several years, especially in small companies and startups. And while there are companies that are not embracing this work mode simply because the nature of the work doesn’t make it possible, working remotely has become a seamless transition for many others, and implementing a hybrid workplace model is a sought-after benefit that employers can offer.

There are many benefits to working remotely, such as saving commute time, which can be a big stress reliever, and having a flexible schedule that can provide a more optimal balance of work and home. But it also allows employees to create their own personal work environment. Allocating a designated work space in your home can generate an atmosphere with fewer distractions and promote productivity, and there’s a long history surrounding the concept of creating the perfect office.

Herman Miller, the leader in office space and furniture design, may be known for developing the world’s first ergonomic chair in 1976, but its research in the relationship between workplace and people has been ongoing since the launch of its first line in 1942. Joseph White, Herman Miller’s Director of Workplace Futures & Insight, explains that while the 1930s were defined by singular, ornate furnishings, the Executive Office Group changed the course in 1942 by introducing a modular system emphasizing variety and utility. Each product in the group, including the desks, storage areas, dividers and add-ons, served a purpose and represented the shift to a free and modern atmosphere in the office.

Left: Executive Office Group, 1942 Top: Action Office Group, 1972 Middle: Ergon Chair, 1976 Bottom: Aeron Chair, 1994

“When Gilbert Rohde lead Herman Miller into the era of modern design in the 1930s, he framed it as a moral imperative. In his mind, modern furniture was honest, respecting the way people live and reflecting its means of production. Speaking of the Executive Office Group he said, ‘This furniture has no escape complex, it looks like what it is and proclaims the clear-thinking executive who will have no cobwebs in his business.’ In 1945, George Nelson built on Rohde’s legacy, envisioning the office as a sort of ‘daytime living room where work can be done under less tension and with fewer distractions.’ Our approach to supporting work and life have been intertwined ever since,” says White.

In 1964, Herman Miller introduced AO – the Action Office, but its next major office furniture breakthrough came in 1968 with Action Office II. Its launch was accompanied by the publication of “The Office: A Facility Based on Change,” written by Robert Propst, the line’s designer. White says, “In it he outlined two key ideas that propelled us on a research and development journey which we continue to this day. First, he focused our approach to the office as a ‘mind-oriented living space.’ Today, advances in cognitive science and environmental psychology help us custom tailor spaces for team dynamics and individual states of mind. Second, he envisioned each organization as having a unique structure—determined by its people and culture—that would enable it not only to respond to change, but to grow in the process.”

While home offices today reflect the design sensibilities of the homeowner, the structure, function and comfort can be rooted in this early philosophy. Gina Roth of Abode Interior Design says, “Demand for a more functional and beautiful home office increased exponentially in San Antonio during the Pandemic. We have enjoyed helping clients create dedicated work spaces that inspire productivity and help them separate work from home life.”

CG&S Design-Build | Photo by Ryan Davis

Riddled with water damage, there was no saving the home’s first addition, so CG&S Design-Build constructed a brighter, better-organized primary suite and bathroom and refreshed some of the home’s interior spaces in keeping with the Cape Cod inspiration requested by the homeowner. The home originally had a home office and with the new configuration, that space turned into an outdoor living room. In the addition, a new hallway wide enough to accommodate the workspace and library, was created off the dining room and leads to the primary suite.

CG&S Design-Build | Photo by Ryan Davis

For a UT professor of history, housing an extensive book collection was as important as having an inspirational place to work from home. Originally, books were spread out over

several rooms and levels of the house and needed to be consolidated into one room. His fascination with history and historical objects was not just something he taught but was a passion of his, and he’s used the space to research and write many lectures. His wife loves antiques, and so to create a space that felt historic and timeless but not old-fashioned was a fun challenge. The design inspiration originated from a photo of a Victorian mansion library.

Haven Design & Construction | Photo by Matthew Niemann

As a former Zoom executive familiar with being “on camera,” this homeowner’s office goal was to create a beautiful space with appropriate lighting. A large TV monitor was incorporated for Zoom calls, placed on a wall over two guest chairs. A beautiful piece of artwork was positioned behind her desk to provide a backdrop for Zoom calls. A desk with acrylic legs was selected to allow the space to be more visually open; however, a credenza with doors was added to store away the printer and other office items. To address lighting, a light-filtering shade provides natural light without being too bright for video conference calls. Finally, soft colors and fabrics give the room the relaxing and peaceful feeling that she requested.

Bradshaw Designs | Photos by Stephen Karlisch

As a new build, it was important to the homeowner that the office looked aged and established. To bring provenance and age to the room, Old Chicago brick was specified for the fireplace wall. A few streaks of old green paint on the bricks inspired the regal Celtic green paint found on the walls, trim, bookcase and accessories. An antique stone fireplace was acquired to serve as the focal point in the room as well as bring age and texture to the space. Furnishings were chosen to create a masculine yet comfortable feel. The high ceilings created a space that was hard to anchor so a custom black and brass rolling ladder was designed to perfectly fit the space and assist in accessing all corners of the bookcase.

Abode Interior Design | Photo by Abode Interior Design

Working from the philosophy that office spaces need to be functional first and aesthetically pleasing second, the homeowner required very specific storage solutions in his home office, plus a contemporary-masculine Hill Country look. A custom built-in wall unit was designed according to his storage needs and the opening shelving lends a modern vibe with a few cubbies made to fit personal items. The solid walnut Parsons-style desk was also custom-made. Other accessories were carefully curated to brighten the space, and the result is a warm and inviting home office that the homeowner loves working in every day.

Styleberry Creative Interiors | Photo by Madeline Harper

Tasked with creating a light, bright work “retreat” instead of an office, hints of Hygge with a Nantucket vibe provided the inspiration for a relatively small space. The reduced footprint was maximized with bright white paint and lots of natural light, supplemented by task lighting, and two Ikea desks comfortably flank an Ikea shelving unit. The watercolor wallpaper mural speaks to ocean hues, and only minimal storage was required to hide larger pieces of equipment. Beachy, textural accessories complete the coastal feels in this office built for two.

Courtesy of Arteriors

With in-office time scaled back for many in the workforce, Arteriors’ in-house design team, led by Visual and Branded Environments Director Vincent Fuentes, embraced how the hybrid work model is reshaping the future of work. The team incorporated over 234 Arteriors products across lighting, furniture and decor to show the full potential of using decorative furniture and accents to create an inviting and collaborative office environment designed to foster creativity. Arteriors’ Honour Desk is an ideal solution for modern home workspaces with its graphite leather foundation met with a solid smoke oak frame and drawers lined with graphite suede. u