High Minded Home Office Design

In his classic 1982 book Megatrends, John Naisbitt introduced the formula “high tech/high touch,” which describes our fundamental need to counterbalance the effects of new technology as it replaces human interaction. “The more high tech,” he wrote, “the more high touch.”

This home office balances cutting-edge technology with exotic woods and luxurious, natural fabrics. The Macassar ebony desk from William Switzer is softened by a hand-tooled leather top insert. From there or from a handsome R. Jones lounge chair, three adjustable video screens—for e-mail, stock quotes, news and music— can be monitored while enjoying a level of comfort and ease that no traditional office could ever offer. This home office is a personal sanctuary, as much about productivity as it is about individual style.

Unlike traditional office space, there is nothing neutral here.  Even the room itself is asymmetrical, with three entrances unified by Crystal’s radius-front cabinets made of sustainable Lyptus wood.The color scheme of night sky blue and chartreuse creates a stimulating, yet-calming atmosphere and a soothing backdrop for state-of-the-art video conferences. The high tech/high touch principle “symbolizes the need for balance between our physical and spiritual reality,” Naisbitt wrote.

Which brings us to the plush Hokanson carpet and its glorious map-of-the-constellations design. Outer space is at our feet, reminding us of our connection to everything. It grounds us as it lifts us up. If we are lucky it shows us where we have been, and perhaps, where we are going.

Visit the Dream Home 2009 Website.
 
Read about Janet McCann's Dream Home Design on the Chicago Home & Garden Magazine website.