Steelcase

Swamped by TPS reports? Driven to distraction by your cubicle mate? Don't let office life get you down—instead, look to these examples of modern workplaces to put some pep into your proverbial step.

This is one of the latest releases from Shimna, a small two-person design team based in Manhattan. Called the Neosho Credenza, the piece features three Corian doors with laser-engraved, three-dimensional art. The designers, Aaron Huston and Michael Lamont, used locally-sourced maple for their prototype shown here, though other hardwood options are available. The design and color of the artwork is customizable as well.

Pros: It’s short and squat, but this lamp's stubby looks—matte black shade, oiled oak legs, and aqua cord—grew on us. Changing bulbs is a breeze—just reach in from the top. The design also accommodates LEDs, which are often awkwardly sized. Just keep ’em at 75 watts or under.

Cons: This was our favorite lamp of the group. Too bad it takes four weeks to get. Each one is made by hand in Iacoli & McAllister’s two-person Seattle studio

In this video series we explore the myriad uses of Corian®.

Renting versus buying. Prefab versus renovation. Kitchens, bathrooms, the home office, and more. Over the years, we've compiled hundreds of ideas for smart home design. Bookmark this page and visit often for loads of home design tips, inspiration, how to's, and solutions!

Nestled in an apple grove in Sebastopol, California, the Orchard House is a rural idyll.

Add a bit of prestige to the office with Peter Jon Pearce's beautifully balanced Cachet chair.

The yurt, one of the most ancient forms of shelter, has seen a resurgence in popularity among modernists in the last several years—Ecoshack’s Nomad Yurt is one of our favorites.