For Geoffrey Pascal, furniture design was one aspect of design that came naturally with a sense of joy and fulfillment. It allowed him to delve into his creative side and construct playful pieces that served a purpose.

For his latest project, called Grafeiophobia, Pascal wanted to create new experiences within the office environment by improving the modularity and comfort of furniture.

Each of these pieces offer a different position to support different postures, removing the need for a desk. And though grafeiophobia technically means “a fear of desks,” these pieces are in fact inspired by Pascal’s own struggles with productivity and how typical office spaces aren’t as welcoming. “My inspiration came from my own problems with working, I was feeling as if I was forced to work, and I decided to change that,” he says. In turn, these pieces demonstrate how people can become more productive and creative when working from the comfort of their bed.

The project is composed of three pieces of furniture: Basic Besk, Triclinium Gum and the Flying Man. Their design, according to Pascal, was thought out to support what NASA researchers have found to be the “Neutral Body Posture,” as in the posture the human body naturally assume in microgravity.What helps make these pieces stand out, aside from the unique design, is the dynamism each piece evokes, as well as the colors that give a youthful, almost playful character.  

In contrast to a classic chair and desk, the design of the Grafeiophobia furniture is meant to distribute a worker’s body weight across multiple support points, making it less stressful on the lower back, arms and shoulders. The variety and modularity of the furniture also allows you to change postures in order to maintain focus and reduce boredom.

“There are different ways of working, and people have different needs,” Pascal says, further noting that Grafeiophobia breaks the norm of office furniture and “opens people’s minds to what it is to work.”

For the Night Owl:

The Table Torch from the award-winning lighting brand Stickbulb makes a great gift for a minimally minded individual in need of a desk or bedside lamp.

Available in 2-foot- and 3-foot-tall options, these sleek, linear LED module lights are elegantly held in place by a simplistic yet high-quality steel base.

The wooden component is offered in sustainably sourced maple or walnut, reclaimed heart pine, ebonized oak, or reclaimed water tower redwood. The metal base is available in powder coated white, slate grey or matte black, hand-blackened steel, polished nickel or brass, or brushed nickel or brass.

Perfect for anyone looking to dress up their desk and enhance their wellbeing at work, the Nova task light offers adaptability and comfort in a striking, sculptural form.

Energy Star 2.0 certified, the inventive, ergonomic design protects the eyes against strain, faithfully renders colors and produces a single shadow on a work surface, so the hard worker in your life need no longer complain about a headache after a long day at work.

Humanscale’s new Horizon 2.0 also checks all the boxes for the eco-conscious individual who loves iconic design and technology. Improving upon the prestigious Red-Dot award-winning Horizon task light from Michael McCoy and Peter Stasis (featured in the MoMA permanent collection), Horizon 2.0 implements the latest LED technology to produce its signature, ultra-thin plane of light with greater efficiency.

Energy Star 2.0 certified, Horizon 2.0 uses only healthy, sustainable materials and is available in five vibrant colors: Bronze Gold, Silver, Jet Black, Arctic White, Twilight Blue and Morning Pink.

Left & Bottom Right: True Residential’s Undercounter Beverage Dispenser. Top Right: True’s Dual Zone Wine Cabinet. Photos courtesy True Residential.

Artist and inventor Bandana Jain works with recycled and eco-friendly materials to create one-of-a-kind artwork for the home.

Sharing a deep concern for the environment, the contemporary artist has been creating artwork using corrugated cardboard for the last seven years. She crafts unique furniture for clients — from couches and desks to tables and lamps.

Why is it important that designers/artists use recycled and eco-friendly mediums and that homeowners choose to purchase these types of artwork?

We are all the children of the earth. The existence of our being is intrinsically connected to nature. As responsible humans, it is for us to ensure that we build a better place for ourselves and subsequent generations to come. This can happen only when we make the right choice.

Why should homeowners incorporate these pieces into their homes?

A well-designed interior accessory revs up the design quotient of your abode. And every accessory in a home is akin to an individual chapter in the overall design narrative. It defines the space and tends to be a conversation starter because of its exclusivity and aesthetics. Who doesn’t want to be talked about?