Creatives often find inspiration in the most unexpected places, but their private offices – the engine rooms of that creativity – reveal the most about their style. Here, we speak to four leading designers about how their offbeat studies and studios influence them.
Jaime Hayon
‘Where I work is an extension of my creative universe. I’m always surrounded by sketches, drawings, prototypes of my own work and experimental pieces from my trips around the world and from designers and artists I admire. Sometimes, revisiting an old idea can spark something new. I also find a lot of motivation in handcrafted objects and traditional techniques; ceramic sculptures and handwoven textiles that connect me to craftsmanship. They remind me why I do what I do. Music is also important; I often listen to a mix of classical, jazz and electronic music to create the right atmosphere.
My home office is where I focus on conceptual work: sketching, brainstorming ideas and refining details before they move into production. It’s a more personal and intimate space than my studio, and it’s where I can take time to reflect and develop new concepts without distractions.
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I wanted a place that allowed for a sense of openness, where I wouldn’t feel confined. Natural light was a priority, so I chose a spot with large windows that let in as much daylight as possible. The room needed to stimulate creativity but also offer a level of comfort and flexibility. I believe that our surroundings influence our thinking and mood, so my workspace needs to be playful and dynamic.’ hayonstudio.com
Sabine Marcelis
‘I’m quite flexible when it comes to working. I travel often and find I get a lot done on planes. When I’m home, I like to leave work behind as much as I can. Paul [Marcelis’s husband] and I try to be diligent about not working too much from our house, and when we do, it’s actually 90 per cent at night from bed!
But, when either of us does have to take a meeting or an emergency call, we use this office, which also functions as a guest bedroom, with a beautiful view of the river. It’s the only real “room” in our loft that is completely closed off and where sound is isolated. We went slightly extreme by not having any walls and using curtains to divide up the zones across the rest of our home.
We wanted this sometimes office to be a warm, inviting space, so we asked Thomas Trum to work with yellow when we commissioned him to create an artwork for the wall. His mural Take the One Yellow Line means it is always sunny in there. I like to have an artwork by a friend visible when I take Zoom calls. A good backdrop is so important; I don’t like when you can see someone’s entire home on a call. That feels very intrusive.’ sabinemarcelis.com
Hollie Bowden
‘It’s fundamental for me to have an inspiring space to work. I chose a place that looks into a beautiful enclosed courtyard with a glass roof and a lush indoor garden. The windows are south-facing, so they get beautiful light throughout the day, too. I really appreciate openness as I hate poky rooms that make me feel boxed in, and I’d struggle to work somewhere that didn’t feel special. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but my office has a kind of unusual grandeur that I really prize. It makes me feel connected to the outside world. The ultimate luxury, though, is that I somehow found a quiet area in the middle of Shoreditch!
I love personalising my office with objects I’ve had for a long time and new pieces I’ve just come across. My work is about discovery, so this space should reflect that. Mixing some more personal, residential touches is a great way to show what my studio is about. It also helps me connect with clients – you’d be amazed what conversations spark up from the things around us.
Because of my job, I have this opportunity to refresh my studio with different furniture, but there are anchor pieces, such as my Osvaldo Borsani desk. I love having a big desk where I can pore over design books and lay out materials, which is part of my process, so that takes pride of place.’ holliebowden.com
Beata Heuman
‘I want to feel both calm and inspired in my working environment, just as I do at home. This space has high ceilings and a large, south-facing window, and is full of my bits and pieces. My geraniums are very happy on the little table I built for them in the window reveal – their vitality gives me energy! I find the wallcovering, our “Willow Ink” fabric, particularly soothing and comforting. I also love my pinboard, where I can put little mementos such as samples, notes, articles, postcards and photos. It’s a snapshot of what’s going on, and I always find its liveliness inspiring.
We create home environments for our clients, and it seemed natural to set up our studio in this way, so that people can get a sense of what our interiors are like and immerse themselves in how we do things. It has been hugely inspiring for us to have this studio as our canvas, but the best thing is probably that it is a lovely place for us to spend our working days – I, for one, feel very happy here!’ beataheuman.com
