Workspace of the Week: Outdoor office retreat

by Erin Doland on Apr 30, 2010

This week’s Workspace of the Week is NomadJim’s tropical paradise:

Did you miss the office? I did the first couple times I looked at the picture. Here, I’ll help you find it:

Gorgeous! If I could actually concentrate enough in this beautiful scenery to do work, I can think of fewer places more visually inspiring to get a job done. NomadJim is one lucky individual. I can’t tell if there is a laptop tray for the computer, but I would add one if there isn’t (especially one that allows for airflow under the battery and processor — don’t want to broil your legs on the patio). Otherwise, this setup looks like perfection. Now, if you’ll all please excuse me, I’m going to close my eyes and daydream for a couple minutes.

Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.

16 comments posted

  1. Posted by Lose That Girl - 04/30/2010

    Ah… bliss!!! If only!

  2. Posted by Adam - 04/30/2010

    It is simple and beautiful – two huge wins! I still have to say, the sofa and chairs don’t look like they could be any less comfortable. Add comfort and you have perfection.

    I don’t mean to be a downer. I just saw those wooden, squared seats with thin cushions and thought it would only take about five minutes to reach – OUCH!

    Adam

  3. Posted by Erin Doland - 04/30/2010

    @Adam — Ha! I think I could tolerate the pain, though, in that environment :)

  4. Posted by Barron - 04/30/2010

    That’s a Dell Studio laptop. It had a shiny metal strip that looks like a tray there in that photo.

  5. Posted by Dawn F - 04/30/2010

    Somebody bring me a margarita! Forget about work!

    TGIF everyone! :)

  6. Posted by Sandman - 04/30/2010

    I like the idea of it. I like the look of it. I like emotion of it.

    I don’t like the thought of being hunched over on chairs that were clearly designed for leaning back sipping a margarita. I will continue to keep my office space efficiently designed for office stuff and my relaxing space designed for relaxing.

  7. Posted by Robb Irrgang - 04/30/2010

    Unclutterer team, while this is cute and all, I don’t think plopping a laptop in your lounge counts as a workspace. By that logic, the bus, train, and every Starbucks in the world could be in this section by next week.

  8. Posted by Leonie - 04/30/2010

    This reminds me of a hotel lobby in the mid price range in Bali, probably along Kuta Beach ? :-)

    When I was an overseas correspondent in Asia, my “office” looked very similar….so yes Robb, by that logic, even working with a laptop on the underground (London) would probably qualify though not a pretty picture.

    Cheers

  9. Posted by Robb Irrgang - 04/30/2010

    A Mitch hedberg joke comes to mind… Just replace “bedroom” with “home office”.

    ‘I just bought a 2-bedroom house, but I think I get to decide how many bedrooms there are, don’t you? “F**k you, real estate lady! This bedroom has an oven in it! This bedroom’s got a lot of people sitting around watching TV. This bedroom’s over in that guy’s house! Sir, you have one of my bedrooms, are you aware? Don’t decorate it!”‘

  10. Posted by Sue - 04/30/2010

    This isn’t a workspace. It’s a laptop in an outdoor lounge. It’s also tropical. Which means heat and humidity. Which is exactly where I don’t want to work.

  11. Posted by Erin Doland - 04/30/2010

    @Robb and others — If you work there, it’s a workspace. Most nurses don’t have traditional desks, but they still do work. Same goes for carpenters, artists, chefs, gardeners, and the folks driving the subway car. From the text of the post each week: “Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.”

  12. Posted by Mike - 04/30/2010

    No,no,no. Too much mental clutter.
    Should I go barefoot or wear flip-flops. Shirtless or shirt. Sunglasses or not. Which fresh fruit drink? Which fresh fish tonight? Nap in the warm tropical breeze or stroll the beach?
    Ugh, I need to go back to my florescent, climate controlled cubicle just to clear my head;)

  13. Posted by Another Deb - 05/01/2010

    Yes, I have done my work in many different locations. Papers have been graded out in the wilds in front of the campfire(temptation….), on airplanes, at concerts, on jury duty, doctor’s offices, in bed, in the car (as a passenger)and at a major league sports event. I don’t consider them “my” workplace. I do sit on my Arizona porch and grade or use the computer just as a change of scenery on a pretty day. Still, my workplace has to be my office and desk area.

    I think the picture shown is lovely but with sunshine glaring behind my screen and with the peaceful surroundings, I would be hard-pressed to get anything done.

  14. Posted by Shalin - 05/03/2010

    …what a wonderful space to let your ideas breathe. :)

    –S

  15. Posted by nomadjim - 05/04/2010

    Ha! I just ran across this for the first time. Thanks for featuring my photo!

    For those of you wondering: yes, I do actually work in this spot. However, I typically have the laptop in my lap with my feet on the table but run my conference calls with the lappy on the table where you see it here. You can see the view facing the other way (what I look at all day) here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadjim/4557052136/

    Glad you all enjoyed this. It was fun reading the comments! :)

  16. Posted by Paris - 05/07/2010

    I love it. I just can’t believe you have no need of cabinets and files that usually occupy a work space. Very cool!

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