If you find yourself stretching your sore neck and back, rubbing your dry eyes, swallowing a lump of dry nothing, or gasping for clean air, you might be the victim of some unhealthy home-office habits. But it’s never too late to make a change. Check out these five quick reminders from Apartment Therapy Tech for a better you at your desk, then take a look at more tips from Herman Miller’s research on ergonomics for working in a safe, effective way during your work day. Read more
NYC artist Laura Hughes is a jack of all trades, with a career that started in photography and shifted, most recently, into needlepoint (her blog Meanderings in Thread might certainly have been Alexander Girard-approved). Take a look at Laura’s combination home/work space in the middle of Manhattan in this office tour. Read more
Where do you stay when it’s time to take your office on the road? Here is a quick peek at a few spots across the globe that feature some of our most work- (and rest-) friendly pieces in a variety of hotel settings.
Did a bark, woof, or ruff (or perhaps a coo from an excited coworker) fill the halls of your office last week? Friday, June 22, was Take Your Dog to Work Day, a day dedicated to bringing man’s best friend into the workspace. This 14th annual canine celebration helped promote pet adoption, as well as the benefits of having Fido at work — which, according to recent research from Virginia Commonwealth University, include reducing stress and making the job more satisfying.
Companies like Amazon, Google, P&G Pet Care, Clif Bar & Company, and Ben & Jerry’s already have open-dog policies. What about your place of business? Would you welcome a dog in your workplace? Why or why not?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section. And in the meantime, take a look at a few furry friends that made it into the office on Friday. Read more
Here’s a look at what we’ve been reading for the past few days. (What about you? Leave us a link to your favorite post of the week in the comments section.)
1. A hidden home office created from a spare closet, featured on the Home & Garden blog of the Los Angeles Times.
2. “A Love Letter to Plywood,” a short video by sculptor Tom Sachs, in which he declares plywood “a delicious wood sandwich” (via swissmiss).
One principle is particularly relevant to Lifework readers: It’s the idea of utility. Lyons talks about utility in connection to Embody – a chair that finds its way into many a home office. “When we talk about material utility,” Lyons says, “what we really mean is that we use materials to solve problems.”
It’s that classic Goldliock’s moment anyone with a home workspace has suffered through. Trying to find just the right office chair. It has to be ergonomic. That is a given. For me it had to have good back support, a seat that doesn’t cut off circulation in your legs and arm rests to keep RSI at bay. Read more
If you’ve been waiting for a good deal on shipping before you went ahead and got that new office chair – now is your moment. Today we launched a $9 shipping fee for any chair (or any other product in the store) worth more than $499. The deal runs until August 15. Check out the details here.
The date is set – the teams are organized. On September 16 in Hong Kong a world first in sport will take place – the inaugural Pan Asia Pacific Aeron Hockey Championships. Teams from different countries around the region will compete for a chance to be crowned the champions. We are wondering if these guys might be headed to the Olympics? Check out the full hockey post over on Discover. Does anyone play this here in the States? We’d love to know. Might be a nice way to get out of the home office and bond with fellow Aeron fans!
Above: The joys of Aeron Hockey – this game was played in Melbourne, Australia.
Yes, it’s that time of year. Spring hits and sale time starts. Remember the Aeron that’s been weighing heavily on your wish list (it certainly has been on mine)? Now is your chance to take the plunge. You will find 15% off Herman Miller furniture - go to the store to check out the deals or head to your closest retailer. Enjoy!
