In recent years, a bureau (be it a dedicated room, or a reconfigured nook) has become a regular feature in countless homes. Often, it was borne by pure necessity: after all, we all had to remain productive albeit isolated.
But in the pursuit of productivity, these spaces would often prioritise practicality over aesthetics, begging the question: now that home-bound working isn't as essential as it once was, how do we elevate these spaces to be more than merely practical, but beautiful and inspiring, too?
The answer can be found – as is the case with almost anything in design – in the smaller details. Take a fountain pen for example. While naysayers may argue it's an archaic instrument, there is no denying its universal beauty.
Designed to maximise ergonomics, reduce hand fatigue, and improve handwriting over time, its nib shapes itself to be responsive to your manner of writing, adding expression and flourishes that no other type of pen can. Writing takes on a new sense of ceremony, while thoughts and even a simple agenda become works of art.
Similarly, a journal or pencil case adds a unique sense of style to something that would otherwise be entirely mundane. But more than that, it urges us to be intentional about our tasks, and especially about the spaces in which we undertake them.
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