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Abode · The Home Oce Edition · 1AdThe Art of Human HabitatseHomeOceIssueSunBluePoorlIGHTFORM & FUNCTIONmeet phoenix designer val renauT:Home Office expert
MEeTVAL RENAUTStory by Morgan StauerPhotography by Kelly Speer
VAL RENAUTVAL Renaut, Phoenix-based designer and AdobeMagazine contributor is looking to transform the work-from-home experience for her clients. Since COVID pushed many oce workers into their own homes, function, aesthetic, and comfort are front and center for folks who never before considered what work-ing from home all day would entail.Rather than lament the cons of this new arrangement, Val thinks of this as an advantage, “I believe creating pro-ductive and enjoyable home oce space does not have to be expensive, but should definitely be a priority for the psychological and emotional health of home-based employees.” Her five-top tips for creating a useful and enjoyable area will help any at-home novice get a jump on making work-from-home sustainable.Story by Morgan StauerPhotography by Kelly Speer
Val oen sees home oces stashed away in closets and back storage areas. Many home oces get crammed into these tight spaces as a means of convenience, where there is little to no natural light. Val is passionate about getting the light in, “Sometimes my clients think of their at-home work space as a side-note, despite the fact that they will actually be spending the majority of their day in this area. Getting natural light is ex-tremely important for both mental and physical health.” Her advice? If at all possible, set up your at-home work environment where you can see out a window. Shedding natural light is also important in balancing the blue-light rays we absorb from screens through-out the day. If you absolutely cannot set up your oce where natural light is accessible, or better yet abundant, Val advises using brighter colors and reective fabrics and paints to lighten the visual perception of your space. TIP #1Natural Light Is Vital
Abode · The Home Oce Edition · 5TIP #2Green is GoodMost of Val Renaut’s home oce designs include live plants. Why? She says that plants have not only aesthetic value, but they contribute to the healthy air of the worker’s environ-ment. She also believes that surround-ing yourself with living things provides a more vibrant, welcoming energy to your space. If keeping a plant alive is not in your wheelhouse, Val suggests trying easy to care for plants like cactus, pathos, aloe vera and snake plant. When selecting your greenery, remem-ber to consider that natural light Val was talking about. Also, keep in mind some plants are toxic to furry friends or to children who may put leaves in their mouths, so make sure you are getting a plant that is family-friendly for the other creatures in your home. Val suggests placing at least one plant in your line of sight to maximize the positive impact. If you have room, she encourages a nice variety of large and small plants, but at least one, where you can see it, is better then none at all. Continued on Page 21
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