Survive & Thrive
Although life is beginning to resemble a version of normal as restrictions slowly ease, for millions of us, working from home is going to continue to be far more integrated into everyday culture than we ever could have imagined. This means we are continuing to learn the true meaning of adaptability in the face of an ever-changing landscape. Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour has spoken to leading international designers to discover the silver linings they have taken from the imposed lockdown measures and how they are continuing to be productive in the home offices they have curated.
US designer Kelly Wearstler, best known for her design projects for Hollywood’s elite, describes how her creativity has continued to thrive in these times: “Working from home has presented a new canvas for bringing my work to life. I have transitioned my dining room table into my work desk and the walls in my dining room into inspiration boards. A roll of painter’s tape and a little ingenuity goes a long way. Inspiration and creativity are everywhere.”
Closer to home, Francis Sultana, who this year celebrates the tenth anniversary of his eponymous studio, outlines the key elements that lift his spirits as he works from home. “Every Monday I have fresh flowers on my desk – they lift my soul and make me so happy,” he says. “I also have a candle burning – it reminds me of the smell of my studio. To have art and my favourite objects around me also gives me a source of inspiration and reminds me why I do what I do.” When it comes to productivity, organisation is key: “At the end of the day my desk is always covered with books, magazines and plans. The most important thing is to clear the space in the evening – if you start your day with a messy desk it will ruin your day!”
Bunny Turner, co-founder of London interior design studio Turner Pocock, has taken her office outdoors to make the most of the glorious sunshine. When she isn’t working from her picturesque garden, she is busy creating a scheme for her sitting room at home which she describes as “a cosy, wintery space to be used on wet rainy days for board games, cards and films. The room is naturally dark so we’ve embraced it and gone for a moody ‘squid ink’-based palette, adding interest through vintage textiles used on cushions, as throws and as the ottoman top.” Turner has sourced samples from Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour showrooms as she plans the scheme, including from Jim Thompson, Tissus d’Hélène and Tim Page Carpets.
Images, top: Kelly Wearstler, Francis Sultana. Second row: Bunny Turner
