My workspace is a multipurpose room in my flat, functioning as a home office and a space to do work-outs and yoga. The desk, situated beside a window with a view of our apartment building inner courtyard, provides quiet, naturally lit surroundings.
Similar to other objects in my life the desk setup has to serve a specific few purposes for me:
Purpose: Every item must have a distinct purpose, functional or emotional.
Aesthetics: They need to please me aesthetically which encourages me to use them more.
Proven: I favor long-standing design staples that have an interesting backstory over less-known alternatives.
Calming: I function best in a distraction-free setting, hence my desk area must be minimalist and allow me to focus.
My desk setup in detail
Furniture
My ideal desk provides ample space for my electronics, a notebook, a keep-it-all, without feeling cluttered.
Desk: E2, designed by Egon Eiermann
This desk exemplifies my ideal of a straightforward workspace. While it lacks features like a standing option, it provides what I prize most: an uncluttered canvas for my items. My chosen model sports a pearl grey melamine finish in matte, accented with oak edges. The chrome legs harmonize with my chair’s styling.
Chair: Vitra Eames EA108, designed by Charles and Ray Eames
Choosing my favorite designers—which happens to be the duo of Charles and Ray Eames—isn’t quite original, I admit. Call me basic, but I truly admire their style that shaped not only the mid-century modern aesthetic, but design principles in general. Their designs have attained a classic status, owing not just to their timeless appeal, but also their high-quality yet approachable vibe. Despite Vitra’s steep prices, the allure of owning their pieces and caring for them makes it very temnpting for me to collect more and more of their collection. Therefore I keep a second one – an EA107 model right next to the table for when I collaborate with soemone.
Lamp: Artemide Tolomeo Micro, designed by Michele De Lucchi
Featured in numerous movies and TV series, this classics charm in my opinion lies in its easy adjustability and iconic, yet minimalistic, design. With a harmonious mix of chrome and aluminum, it seamlessly integrates with the rets of my setup.
Rug: vintage persian rug
Hardware
My setup could generally be described as ‘vanilla’— not scoring any points for its uniqueness, much like my furniture. However, that’s not my goal. I am all in with Apple’s ecosystem and choose the components to streamline my workflow as much as possible.
Apple Studio Display 27″ (2022)
I favor the 27″ screen with a 5k resolution and a high pixel density of 218 PPI. Its sharp display makes reading and handling lengthy texts or emails less strenuous. The 5120 x 2880 resolution aligns perfectly with the size macOS was designed for. While some might prefer a larger screen, I find the 27″ size just right. It comfortably accommodates UI-intensive applications like Pixelmator Pro and Figma, and using them in full-screen mode aids my concentration. Once accustomed to this display, especially the PPI, it’s hard to settle for anything else.
Another major advantage is its all-in-one design – it incorporates a camera, microphone, and speakers, all connected through a single Thunderbolt 3 cable. Additionally, it doubles as a triple USB C hub.
MacBook Air 13.6”, M2 midnight blue (2022)
Previously, I needed the capabilities of a MacBook Pro to carry out my tasks. However, the emergence of the ARM-based M chipsets redefined the scenario completely.In 2022, when the M2 series was launched for the MacBook Air, I found my ideal laptop model, with ample power, a long lasting battery life, while still being compact and lightweight. Although an evolved M3 model is available now, I feel no urgency to upgrade because my current device fulfills my needs perfectly.
AirPods Por (2nd gen)
HomePod mini, space grey
As a recent addition to setup,the HomePod mini provides better sound quality than the Studio Display and allows me to control the ligths in the room via Siri’s voice commands.
and
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Both mouse and keyboard add to the vanilla Apple sentiment, but I have a strong muslce memory tied to me. I tried alternatives from time to time, but nothing really stuck, most likely because nothing is as well integrated in the Apple ecosystem.
I am a big fan of the MagSafe technology on the iPhone, and in my opinion, this dock comes closest to what Apple themselves would design. Especially since the StandBy function was introduced, I like to have my iPhone as a mini dashboard on my table, showing me upcoming meetings and details such as the weather.
Cable management
Bluelounge Cable drops
Cable box
Art:
Susan Kare signed and numbered print, bought at London Design Museum
HAY coffee table book, published by Phaidon
Window sill:
Various items I keep on the window sill right next to my table.
AirPods Max + stand
Vintage cricket ball from a London flea market
Conclusion
In summary, my chosen setup consists of curated items that satisfy both my functional and aesthetic requirements. While I do make occasional upgrades, I am particularly partial to pieces that last and remain reliable over time. Each element on my desk has earned its place through its utility, design pedigree, and personal significance. I hope this deep dive into my setup offers a peek into my preferences and perhaps some inspiration for your own workspace.
clemens.today 
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