one table, all the things

the question of how to reconceptualize & reorganize our space is part of our constant dialogue. adding, removing, moving, visualizing, sketching, designing, and building, along with endless brainstorming on the many ways we might evolve our spaces — indoor & out — to create an environment that looks & feels good to each of us, all while being useful + usable, is a beloved activity.

over the last few months, merging work life with school life and you know, life life, in our already creatively messy, aggressively utilized spaces brought the conversation to an entirely new level.

where are everyone’s primary workspaces? what if someone fancies a change of scenery? some of us can get preposterously loud when on calls or zoom chats — how to balance privacy, access, focus, and sanity? working outside in the warm months has created an easy & welcome partition, but yes, winter is coming.

all this, along with an offhand comment from our 14 year-old about being more inspired when he has access to a variety of spaces outside the home, sparked a furious discussion on secondary & creative spaces, mobility, and how we might best support the kids’ constant snacking outside of their bedrooms, which are, inconveniently for eating needs, their main workspaces. creative mess, yes; food mess, not so much.

james & i looked at each other, and with the geeky phrase “scenarios of use” in mind, decided it was time to design & build a mixed-use piece with major flexibility. enter, the big table…