Micheal Lambie
Founder, Micheal Lambie Interiors
Micheal Lambie provides clients with distinctive, elegant, contemporary designs that not only meet their needs but invigorate their homes and spirits.
micheallambieinteriors.ca
First, an introduction. My name is Micheal Lambie and I’m the founder of Micheal Lambie Interiors. This is my first contribution to Condo Nest™ Magazine, and as a proud Jamaican/Canadian, I’m excited to have my inaugural column published during Black History Month. I hope you enjoy it!
That said, 2020 was tough, right? But we’ve all been living it. The new normal. COVID-19 has forced us to rethink how, when, and where we work, and how that affects our living space.
At first, that simply meant a dining room table or make-shift workspace with a semblance of privacy. But as we spent more and more time at home, remote work simply became “work.” The home office became “the office.” As a result, it became more important to be able to carve out an official, productive workspace. So, how do we get there, and what’s the first step?
PLANNING OUR SPACE
While I have years of experience designing work and living spaces for my clients, it’s important to get a fresh, unique perspective when it comes to planning for a space that’s both functional and motivational.
With that in mind, I spoke with a friend and client, Joanne Dominico, to discuss how we can do just that. We came up with the following tips:
- Space: Account for and allocate space for items you need on the regular to avoid having to get up and disrupting your focus.
- Make sure you have a place for tissues, lip balm, hand lotion or any creature comforts that keep you happy and productive in your space.
- Clutter: Make sure your space is designed to be clutter-free.
- Are there storage options to make sure everything can have its place and you aren’t distracted by the clutter?
- Budget allocation: Spend on the most important components. In this case: Comfort first.
- Let’s be clear: Do not work in bed, or on your couch! That said, it is important to be comfortable and relaxed in your workspace. You spend a lot of time there, and you need to be productive. If you are itching to move, that’s not going to happen.
- This could apply to desk choice, chair choice, artwork, as well as the aforementioned clutter-free components.
- My advice: Spend on comfort first, and apply whatever is left in your budget accordingly. It will be money well spent.
- Lighting: It’s not just about adequate lighting in your workspace, but about creating an atmosphere that ensures your mind and body are getting what they need to be productive during the hours you need to work.
- My strategy: Design in three to five light sources (the sun can be one). It’s better to have more light and be able to turn it down, than not having enough light.
- According to Joanne, if you don’t have enough light, your mind and body will react accordingly. Too dark: Your body starts creating melatonin because it thinks it’s time to go to sleep. Not great for productivity!
- Personality: Inject personality into your space. And not just personality… YOUR personality. You’re spending a lot of time in this workspace. Make it yours.
And while this isn’t a design-focused tip, it’s important to remember that while working from home has been keeping us safe and can reclaim some of that time lost to commuting, we still have to get out and move! Incorporate some form of activity each and every day. Perhaps a standing desk, ball chair, and some waits can help us be more productive in work and life.
If you have questions, you can find my contact information, along with more tips and advice via my website, and please check out my interview with Joanne Dominico on my YouTube channel.
