transform office affairs Because every house can be a beautiful home home lessons

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1 transform Because every house can be a beautiful home office affairs Dedicated home office, household nook or student s study? Here s our guide to creating a winning workspace, however you use it WORDS CATHERINE McCORMACK PHOTOGRAPHY FERRAN FREIXA (CON DCHOS. AUTOR)/RBA home lessons A hardworking office should seamlessly combine your home and work style to create a space where creativity thrives and organisation is a breeze. Read on for expert advice that really works. >

2 transform {study} The dedicated home office When working from home, you need a space that feels professional and free of domestic chaos

3 style savvy A home office can complement the decor in the rest of the house or stand alone, says Caro Toledo of Indigo Jungle Interior Styling in Brisbane. Materials, colour and texture can help reinforce this distinction, she says. Colour demarcates a space, so introducing a different scheme in the office will help you switch from home to business mode. furniture focus The workspace must suit the person who ll use it most. The height of the desk should allow the user to work comfortably with their forearms in a horizontal position, explains physiotherapist John Rutherford of Ergoworks Physiotherapy and Consulting. A good chair is just as crucial in thwarting aches from hours at the computer. Look for a chair with adjustable seat height, good back support and enough width for comfort. For storage, chic wire baskets and stacked boxes can be a repository for files. The trick is to mix functional pieces with beautiful furniture, says stylist Justine Brown of Chocolate Brown in Sydney. Assess the location of the study, the room s outlook and how it connects to the rest of the house. Consider if street access is important too, and parking and signage, says home-based Melbourne interior designer Jane Gorman. PHOTOGRAPHY (OPPOSITE) BIRGITTA WOLFGANG/SISTERS AGENCY (THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT) DOMINIC BLACKMORE/ (BOTTOM LEFT) MARK BOLTON/ (BOTTOM RIGHT) RAY MAIN/MAINSTREAMIMAGES.COM, the most important thing is to create a space that feels comfortable and relaxing ~ Jane gorman, designer storage saviours Custom joinery is the ultimate solution for storage issues. It allows you to hide less attractive items such as printers, and tailor the set-up to the individual, advises interior designer Larissa Davis of Lewisham Interiors. Keep in mind that your office cabinetry will outlive your current technology; build in flexibility so you can, for example, fit a new printer when the time comes. Built-ins are also best for making the most of tricky spaces. Tarya Corben Spencer, also from Lewisham Interiors, designs office joinery much like she would a kitchen, with dedicated spaces for everything and cupboard doors to hide it all. She recommends retractable cupboard doors. They are completely out of the way when open, allowing unobscured access to everything inside. > homebeautiful.com.au {AUGUST 2015} 161

4 THE study nook A household planning area can be incorporated anywhere in your home, even if it s a squeeze As the home s central hub, the kitchen is perfect for a study nook. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as looking at recipes and paying bills, says Jane Gorman. You can also keep an eye on the kids while they re on the computer, or help with homework.

5 style savvy Most office nooks are seen from other parts of the house, so tidiness is paramount. Focus on minimising the potential for visual clutter, says Tarya Corben Spencer, who favours cupboards over open shelves. Choose colours and finishes that match or complement the surrounds, particularly joinery. Go for storage cupboards and cabinetry the same as the wall colour, so it blends in, or that pick up on the veneers of the cabinetry, suggests Justine Brown. Natural materials and subtle colour inject a little personality. A gentle shade on a wall with timber and colourful accents works well, and plywood is an excellent material for shelving and desktops, says Caro Toledo. Function is key to any office, so ensure there are enough power and data points to support your devices and talk to your electrician about Cat5e or Cat6 data cabling, which enables faster internet and file sharing. Overhead and task lighting is also important. furniture focus To make the most of your space, incorporate a workbench into custom joinery or pick a slim desk with built-in storage. Use a laptop? John Rutherford warns, They can encourage rounded postures of the neck and upper back. A purpose-built laptop stand such as Ergoworks Cricket may help. It reduces the tendency to flex forward, he says. think about a fold-down desk with built-in shelving that can be hidden ~ caro toledo, designer PHOTOGRAPHY (OPPOSITE) DEREK SWALWELL, (THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT) GAP INTERIORS/COSTAS PICADAS, (BOTTOM LEFT) GORTA YUUKI, (BOTTOM RIGHT) JACQUI WAY storage saviours The objective with study nooks is to maximise space, so ensure there s a place for everything. Open shelving can work with a little organisation; try hiding stationery and other essentials in streamlined lidded baskets or boxes (far right). Alternatively, you may choose overhead cupboards with doors (right) and include false panels or cable boxes for modems and accessories, to minimise the mess of cords. Another trick? Have power points installed inside cupboards, if possible, to keep desk space clear, says Tarya. > homebeautiful.com.au {AUGUST 2015} 163

6 transform {study} style savvy If your child s bedroom is on the small side, centre your design around the joinery. Choose a single, neutral colour such as white or a timber finish, advises Tarya Corben Spencer, adding that this will work even as your child s tastes change. A great way to introduce colour is a pinboard above the desk for them to decorate. Let your child choose a print, or if they re creative, encourage them to display their own art. the kids STUDY Design a space that fosters fun, creativity and focus a place your kids can call their own A dedicated study area is a true gift for growing kids. Having our own space with a reasonable level of privacy is vital for everyone, says Jane Thomas of youth mental health foundation Headspace. A quiet space for focused work is important for young people to develop good study routines. storage saviours Shelves above or next to the desk, or on an adjacent wall, are an ideal way for kids to display their achievements. If the joinery is customised, include deep drawers to hide notepads, paper and computer accessories, plus seasonal extras such as cosy blankets to wrap around their legs. matt surfaces are easier to maintain And show fewer fingerprints ~ caro toledo, designer furniture focus Space is often at a premium in a child s room so it s natural to pick a compact desk. However, keep in mind that older kids will need room for a computer, notepad and a spread of books. I prefer a big surface area so the child doesn t outgrow the desk as they get older, says Jane Gorman. Search for styles with built-in drawers for storage (far right) or room for wire storage baskets (right), and lots of leg room underneath. A cool-looking desk lamp is a must, as is a comfortable chair with adequate back support. Rugs, ottomans and cushions in a range of tones and textures are wonderful for adding warmth and cosiness. PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP) RHIANNON SLATTER, (BOTTOM LEFT) GAP INTERIORS/COSTAS PICADAS, (BOTTOM RIGHT) GAP INTERIORS/BIEKE CLAESSENS, (OPPOSITE PAGE) GREG COX/BUREAUX.CO.ZA 164 {AUGUST 2015} homebeautiful.com.au

7 your kids online Social media plays a dominant role in every child s life but it can be a minefield for parents. Jane Thomas from Headspace offers these tips to help navigate your way through: 1Don t friend your kids online. Privacy extends to social media and we shouldn t dismiss it as an add on to young people s social lives, advises 2Jane. It is part of their social interaction and development. 3 Set limits. Examples include no electronic devices in bedrooms, limiting wifi access and encouraging responsibility with data usage, she says. Talk to your kids about social media. Become familiar with it, how it works and the pitfalls, so you know what you re talking about, adds Jane. Discussions about cyber-safety are important but tracking your child on Instagram and Facebook is invasive.