Fancy pencil pushing setup. All that $$$ and didn't upgrade to an embody. That said, digital/analogue studio spaces have been solved by artists for a while... get a big task table with sacrificial surface and nice lighting and make a mess of it.
My two-part desk setup (2025)
171–180 of 229 posts
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#172Having just moved house, this is fantastic inspiration. To be fair, the huge window by the desk in the article makes it a naturally more appealing space than my own. But it’s enough to make me rethink the layout we have here so far. Especially since we want space for non digital projects too.
As someone with full-height windows at home — depending on your climate (continental Europe here, so similar to NYC or Boston, with below freezing in the winter and 40C/104F in the summer) — might not work too well. You lose space for shelves and such, opening a window can let the rain in, floor will get very cold, and depending on the glass type, you either get it to be like a greenhouse/too hot in the summer, or not leveraging the same effect in the autumn/winter. In general, on sunny days air can get stuffy even in the winter.
It can also be too bright for some types of work during sunny days — especially if facing East or West and the sun is low. All of this depends on the orientation too, and facing north it is probably perfect.
They are otherwise beautiful and have many pros: but I wanted to warn of some practical drawbacks too.
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#173Earlier quoted context omitted.
This principle emphasizes that there should be no space behind you. It has nothing to do with the wall or window in front of you. Those are just examples I used to explain according to the original post. If you're concerned about the window's position, ancient Feng Shui advised the window should be located to your side, specifically on the side of the hand you don't use for writing. I think their reasoning was: this…
Shouldn't the window be opposite your writing hand? If the light comes from the same side as your writing hand it casts a shadow toward your eyes rather than away from your eyes
That's exactly what they said
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#174If I found out that I was working with someone with this setup I would a) try to get them fired immediately or b) voluntarily quit. I do not know how you live with yourself.
That's a strong reaction to someone's furnishings. Care to elaborate why?
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#175Earlier quoted context omitted.
My wife and I both have Fully desks, which are now part of the Herman Miller family (but weren't at the time we bought them). Not the cutest designs ever, but they've both held up well, and I think the bamboo/wood-ish desktop finish is nicer looking than similar models from other brands. I've also seen a few places (including IKEA?) sell bring-your-own-top adjustable desks, where they provide the legs and motor and s…
You can also buy the Fully legs/motor on their own and bring your own desktop. I really disliked the bamboo desk fwiw and much prefer the thicker 1" laminate "wood" one. I wish I'd gotten the extended range legs, though.
I have the bamboo desk with the curved front.
I like:
- the way the wood looks and feels. - it has been fairly tough. I managed to stain it with an overnight pen leak, but it's mostly easy to clean, and stands up to minor impacts from computers and cups. Also, no water marks so far.
I dislike:
- the curved front, which looked cute in the pictures but makes it a PITA to fit a keyboard tray. That was a mistake. I wish I'd gone for the straight edged desk.
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#176Nice article to show status signalling vanity and taste-based elitism. Adding a drop of "playing lego with kids" to show humane side was clever.
Yeah, I love this part too: https://arslan.io/2025/12/26/books-i-read-in-2025/ > If I’m reading a book, once the kids are asleep, I have 3–4 hours each evening, and I also have free time on the weekends. So it’s possible to read a lot of books as a father of two kids. I could probably read even more if I stopped spending time on other things, like writing for my blog, learning piano, or doing industrial design. I tho…
It's possible to be a great parent who does "parent much" while also having your own hobbies and life.
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#177Wow this guy has the 606 Vitsoe Universal shelving [1] and USM Haller desk [2] A dream setup. [1] https://www.vitsoe.com/us/606 [2] https://us.usm.com/collections/tables-desks
Are there compatible alternatives to this shelving without the price tag?
I wouldn't say comparable, but I built my desk with HomeDepot "Everbuilt" shelving system. I coveted the vistoe 606 system forever, but the price was just way too much. The system from HomeDepot looks 80% as good and is 90% cheaper. It doesn't have the pullout shelves, but I put some cabinets with rollers underneath, so everything moves out of the way and it's a truly "floating".
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#178Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are there compatible alternatives to this shelving without the price tag?
Home Depot vertical rails and shelves serve me just as well.
That's exactly what I did. It really doesn't look bad and is super cheap.
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#179A basic principle of ancient Chinese Feng Shui is that you should not sit with your back to a space. In other words, you need to have your back against a wall, not your face facing a wall. I believe there is a reason for this. When there is a space behind you, human instinct forces you to pay a subconscious attention on that space (we are very alert to danger from behind), making it harder to concentrate on what is i…
Yes, there is a reason for it: it is rude. It is better for privacy and receiving clients, but a disadvantage is less physical space in the center/walking area. You can play with lego on the ground, too. I would also get rid of the bookshelf. Get an ereader. There is no way you need all those books physically in your vicinity (I am not arguing you should give up 100% on physical books). Worse, if my desk wouldn't be…
> Get an ereader. There is no way you need all those books physically in your vicinity
You know literally nothing about this person and their reference needs.
Re: My two-part desk setup (2025)
#180Having just moved house, this is fantastic inspiration. To be fair, the huge window by the desk in the article makes it a naturally more appealing space than my own. But it’s enough to make me rethink the layout we have here so far. Especially since we want space for non digital projects too.
As someone with full-height windows at home — depending on your climate (continental Europe here, so similar to NYC or Boston, with below freezing in the winter and 40C/104F in the summer) — might not work too well. You lose space for shelves and such, opening a window can let the rain in, floor will get very cold, and depending on the glass type, you either get it to be like a greenhouse/too hot in the summer, or no…
There's something visually appealing about full-height windows, but they're not worth it in the long run. You get used to them fast, they're less energy efficient, they're more expensive. If they aren't fixed, the lower part being closer to the ground is more prone to water ingress. I woudn't say they don't make sense at all, but large continuous windows that aren't full height provide almost all the benefits in daily use, with many advantages.