Estate Living Magazine Issue 30 Smart Environments June 2018 | Page 36

Let there be light
Place your desk in the best position to take advantage
of natural lighting, which is the very, very best and by
far the cheapest. If you are right handed, it’s best to
have light coming over your left shoulder, or from
the left in the case of windows. And, obviously,
vice versa. Install good quality LED lighting,
and also a bright, adjustable desk lamp that
you can focus on your work rather than in
your face.
There’s no such thing as wireless
We have this fantasy of working under a palm tree with
nothing but a laptop, but it is just that – a fantasy. We actually
need to plug in so many things – modems, chargers for
phones, power banks and possibly other things, desk lights,
and, of course, your laptop. If the existing power points are
inconveniently located, you have two basic choices: getting
an electrician to wire in a new one, or using extension cords.
Either way, you will need a good, conveniently placed multi-
plug with both two- and three-prong outlets. If you do use
extension cords, keep them invisible and neat by fixing them
to the skirting boards and/or running them behind shelves, or
along the bottom surface of your desk. You don’t want to look
like a kitten in a knitting basket.
Colour your world
White is always a safe choice, and it is reflective so it
contributes to good lighting, but you can get so much more
exciting than that. Plascon offers a colour consultation so you
can choose a colour scheme that will enhance your space
according to your needs. Colours are not just dead attributes
– they are living, vibrant entities of pulsating wave energy, so
they affect our moods. But it’s not that simple. You also need
to take into consideration your personal feelings
about colour because different people have
deep-seated, sometimes illogical,
feelings about certain colours. A
good colour therapist can work
with that to create a space that is
beautiful and in which you can
feel comfortable and inspired.
Or soothed, or relaxed, or
energised, or optimistic. www.
plascon.com
Design In A Box Partner - Crema
designer, which can be quite expensive for just one room, and
also necessitates a lot of time with site visits, discussions,
approving plans and so on. But there is a great alternative.
Design In A Box is an innovative online interior design service
that will work out the optimum spatial layout of all the various
elements you wish to have, and help you create a space that
energises and inspires you with features such as colour, living
green walls, good airflow, temperature control, ergonomic
furniture, task and ambient lighting, art works and interesting
treatment of floors, walls and windows. 
Design In A Box is the online platform of professional interior
design team Rumour Has It, says CEO Analise de Beer. ‘By
engaging online,' she explains,‘the client can get a bespoke
interior design every bit as personalised as if they had gone
the traditional face-to-face route, but at a fraction of the cost,
as the whole process is on a fixed-rate basis.’
The process is fast, efficient and effective. You log on to their
innovative, easy-to-use interactive website and follow the
instructions to give the design team all the information they
need to create your bespoke box, which will be delivered to
your door.
In the box you will find an accurate floor plan, mood board,
optional elevations and renders, specifications, samples,
shopping list and a supplier database. All you have to do, is
take the list to Design In A Box’s select partners, and use your
loyalty discount card and/or vouchers to create your fabulous
workspace.
Sometimes thinking in the box is the creative way to go. 
By Jennifer Stern
Make it happen 
Even if you are a keen DIYer,
you will probably need some help
with the design and planning. You
could engage an architect or interior
If you’re going to knock down walls to make a bigger space,
consult a reputable and knowledgeable builder and/or architect
to make sure you don’t inadvertently (literally) bring down the
house.
34 | www.estate-living.co.za