| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | Poll: Did you employ the services of a professional interior designer to design your home office? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| Not exactly... | Nov 3, 2012 |
... but it happens that my youngest daughter is an interior designer and obviously I asked for her advice.
| | | | Michael Harris 
Germany
Local time: 17:35
Member (2006)
German to English
| Go along with this | Nov 3, 2012 |
Claudia Cherici wrote:
you've got to be kidding, right?
And alomost all others
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Anna Sarah Krämer Fazendeiro wrote:
Therefore I will have to spend the craploads of money that I store in my cellar, right next to the potatoes and the coal, for something else.
You keep your money mountain in the cellar too?
and I thought it was just me......
| | | | | @ Anna e Filipa | Nov 3, 2012 |
Well, my potatoes are in the garage, the wine's in the cellar, but doesn't everybody have a money tree growing out in the yard??!
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inkweaver
Germany
Local time: 17:35
French to German
+ ...
...and I wouldn't dream of it, not even in my wildest dreams and if I had tons of money hidden wherever...
Like the rest of the rooms in the flat, it was designed and assembled by yours truly in cooperation with Mr IKEA.
| | | | Max Nuijens
Netherlands
Local time: 17:35
Member
English to Dutch
| Office design and productivity | Nov 3, 2012 |
matt robinson wrote:
Did you employ the services of a professional translator to translate the last thing you needed translating?
I can understand when people say "I don't have the money to pay for translations" or even: "Paying for a professional translator is crazy! My secretary/cousin/neighbour/friend can translate this document just as well".
After all translations can be expensive and many translations are used just once or twice, with readers who don't care much about quality. And perhaps the secretary/cousin/neighbour/friend manages to provide a satisfactory product, why not?
But when you have the money and the translation is used every day (like on a website) to generate revenues, I think indeed there is a case for hiring an expert.
When I buy shoes which I wear every day or when I buy a mattress I sleep on every night, and I would have enough money, I think it makes sense not to reject first-hand the idea of going for a more expensive option. If I sleep better I work better.
The other day I bought a mouse for my computer. I remember getting pain in my hand once from a mouse that responded poorly to my hand movements and am happy to pay a bit more for a comfortable and reliable mouse if that is what it takes.
One of the advantages of working as a freelancer is that you have more freedom to design your office in a way that is most comfortable. To what extent having a comfortable workplace is important, opinions may vary. To the extent that a comfortable workplace enhances productivity, there is a case for investing in professional help creating such a workplace.
| | | | DianeGM
Local time: 18:35
Member (2006)
Dutch to English
+ ...
No, but I rent the premises in which I live and in which I work
If I were to build or buy premises then I'd hire an architect, so maybe then I might consider to hire an interior designer too.
Back in the real world .... don't see it happening any time soon.
| | | | | Interesting point | Nov 3, 2012 |
I understand what you're saying, Max, and I'm sure all of our comments are directed at our own personal analysis of this question rather than any implied criticism of anyone who did use a professional interior designer.
From my experience, and probably for most of us, rarely if ever do clients come to our office/home, whatever, to check out our working environment, what we're wearing, etc. - they just want the work done.
Definitely, however, whatever increases comfort... See more I understand what you're saying, Max, and I'm sure all of our comments are directed at our own personal analysis of this question rather than any implied criticism of anyone who did use a professional interior designer.
From my experience, and probably for most of us, rarely if ever do clients come to our office/home, whatever, to check out our working environment, what we're wearing, etc. - they just want the work done.
Definitely, however, whatever increases comfort and makes us feel good about the space where we spend so much of our day is to our advantage. ▲ Collapse
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Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 16:35
| Design to taste is not an option right now | Nov 3, 2012 |
DianeGM wrote:
No, but I rent the premises in which I live and in which I work
If I were to build or buy premises then I'd hire an architect, so maybe then I might consider to hire an interior designer too.
Back in the real world .... don't see it happening any time soon.
I also rent what was originally a storeroom for carob (and possibly also sweet potatoes, pumpkins, figs, potatoes and coal).
The room I use as an office has no window, but I can see the small kitchen window from where I sit.
Other design no-nos included in my office are
- my eco-friendly fridge;
- a (badly-)fitted wardrobe put there by my landlord standing upon
- a strange cemented-in step to take account of this hilly terrain.
The desk is not mine, but the cheap veneered dining room table which came with the rental of the apartment. It is not ergonomical, but has a nice large surface, so I am not complaining too much, except when I knock my shin on the cross bar for the 1,000th time...
I would need an architect if I ever have my own place. He or she would have to draw precisely to my specifications (and I know exactly what those are). Buy hey, I am dreaming again.
As for the rest of my office: it provides me with the basics, and I have arranged the other elements in the best possible configuration. As it stands, it would be a designer's nightmare.
I have worked with corporate interior designers in a previous life. They are useful because they know where to get the things you need, and do have good ideas. You do have to work closely with them, however, because in my experience, they can get a little carried away if you give them half the chance.
| | | | JaneD
Sweden
Local time: 17:35
Member (2009)
Swedish to English
+ ...
| Climatic discrimination | Nov 3, 2012 |
Elvira Alves Barry wrote:
Well, my potatoes are in the garage, the wine's in the cellar, but doesn't everybody have a money tree growing out in the yard??!
Don't forget those of us who live in more northerly climates - I've had to have an interior landscaper design a specially heated room in the cellar (between the James Bond-villain type cavern housing the indoor swimming pool and the chamber in which I display my extensive Monet collection) for my money tree.
| | | | vixen
Greece
Local time: 18:35
English to Dutch
+ ...
I did invest in a proper desk, a proper and comfortable chair and proper office cabinets, as well as an ergonomical keyboard and mouse when I could afford to do so back in my old home in the Netherlands (and was able to deduct part of the investment from my taxes). My home office in our current home in Greece (rented) is a lot smaller, but I did manage to fit in most of the office furniture we brought over.
And I do think it might be worthwhile to consult a specialist if you're cre... See more I did invest in a proper desk, a proper and comfortable chair and proper office cabinets, as well as an ergonomical keyboard and mouse when I could afford to do so back in my old home in the Netherlands (and was able to deduct part of the investment from my taxes). My home office in our current home in Greece (rented) is a lot smaller, but I did manage to fit in most of the office furniture we brought over.
And I do think it might be worthwhile to consult a specialist if you're creating your own space. After all, we all spend many hours a day trying to deliver high-quality translations, and it's much easier to do so when working in a dedicated and pleasant environment. I do realize that not all translators have either the money or the space to do so, but even then, a specialist might be able to come up with simple and effective solutions one could benefit from.
And specialist advice could be cheaper than you think. When we wanted to refurnish our living room in our old home, we went to a furniture store where they offered free advice from an interior designer once a month. The interior designer gave us new ideas for arranging the furniture and to use different colours to paint the walls. It made a world of difference to our comfort of living, and we were very sorry to leave that living room and most of the furniture behind when we relocated. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dave Bindon
Greece
Local time: 18:35
Greek to English
In memoriam
My office space is very personal and meets my personal work needs (which an interior designer is unlikely to understand even if I were to explain them in great details for several days) and the year-round conditions in the office (evening sunshine, windflow when the windows are open and there's a northerly 'meltemi' wind etc.)
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I got that lady from TV to come in and decorate it! It's just FABULOUS!!!
LOL
| | | | Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 11:35
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Rebecca Garber
Local time: 11:35
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
| I had our in-house design team vet my office | Nov 3, 2012 |
My desk is a 19thC banker's desk, and my chair is of similar vintage.
As for designing the rest of the office:
The cats demanded wide windowsills with towels for their comfort. Anything blocking access to their windows was knocked aside. There must be a cushion on the sunny corner of the desk for their pleasure. ^^
After about a month of their rearrangements, the office is now furnished to their specifications. They allow me to work here, as long as I provide a lap for ... See more My desk is a 19thC banker's desk, and my chair is of similar vintage.
As for designing the rest of the office:
The cats demanded wide windowsills with towels for their comfort. Anything blocking access to their windows was knocked aside. There must be a cushion on the sunny corner of the desk for their pleasure. ^^
After about a month of their rearrangements, the office is now furnished to their specifications. They allow me to work here, as long as I provide a lap for napping and a free hand for scratching (because I only need one to type).
If anything accumulates that they dislike, they dislodge said object to the floor, and I find it a new home. I don't suppose it's feng shui, more like feng shove.
On a serious note: It is a basement office, and my daughter planted a bleeding heart in front of my window, which was joined this summer by a very prolific grape tomato. So the cats and I have a lovely view. ▲ Collapse
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