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what s on your desk sarah smithers Sarah Smithers, senior editorial coordinator at The Verge, shares insights into her unique home workspace, revealing a blend of personal touches and practical design.

what s on your desk sarah smithers

Creating a Personal Workspace

Smithers’ workspace is not just a desk; it is a reflection of her personality and a testament to her life experiences. “The simplest way to put it,” she explains, “is that I handle our operations and administrative tasks. Every day is a little bit different. I onboard new employees, send contracts to freelancers (and make sure they get paid), approve expenses, book travel for my coworkers, handle most of our business purchases, and help track our budget.” This multifaceted role requires a space that is both functional and inspiring.

Location and Transformation

Smithers resides in Jersey City with her husband, Aleks, and their two dogs, Ned and Olive. They purchased their rowhouse in late 2018, and her office is located on the second floor. Originally intended as a third bedroom, the space measures approximately 8 x 9 feet. Before the pandemic, it served as a “reading room” filled with a bookshelf, a chair, and some plants, but with both Smithers and her husband working remotely, they decided to repurpose the area.

“We turned our (much larger) second bedroom into a guest bedroom/office hybrid for him, and I converted this area into my workspace,” she explains. The transition from a storage room to a dedicated office space reflects the changing dynamics of work and home life during the pandemic.

Custom Desk and Chair

Design and Functionality

Smithers and her husband collaborated on building her desk, with Aleks taking the lead on construction. “It was about 95 percent him, but he did hand over the nail gun towards the end and show me where to point and shoot,” she recalls. The decision to create a custom desk stemmed from space constraints. They anchored the bookshelf to the wall upon moving in, which dictated the desk’s placement.

“This was logically the only place to put a desk, so we built this one so I’d have as much surface area as possible while still being able to open the door,” she explains. The desk design is inspired by their coffee table, making it a unique addition to her workspace.

Choosing the Right Chair

When it came to her chair, aesthetics took precedence over comfort. “I knew I wanted a green one with gold accents,” she says, referring to her chair from World Market. While it looks appealing, she acknowledges that it is not the most comfortable option. “That said, my aging back will require a new, more supportive office chair soon,” she adds, highlighting the importance of ergonomics in a workspace.

Technology and Gadgets

Essential Devices

Despite her role at The Verge, Smithers describes herself as “probably the least techy person” on the team. She relies on a 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2020, provided by their parent company, Vox Media. “Sometimes I wish I had a second screen, but I’d have to move too much stuff around to make space for it,” she admits. Smithers has adapted to working solely from her laptop, allowing her the flexibility to work from various locations, including her dining room table or the Vox Media office in New York.

“I’m definitely an Apple gal,” she states, mentioning her iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 10, which encourages her to stay active. Additionally, she owns an iPad Air (3rd generation), which she primarily uses as a Kindle. “Sometimes I prop it up on a stool so I can watch Netflix in the tub,” she shares, illustrating her creative approach to multitasking.

Unique Purchases

In her role managing purchases for The Verge, Smithers has acquired various items for her workspace. One such purchase is an Aurora AS420C Paper Shredder, which she describes as “entirely unnecessary” but enjoyable to use. “Sticking stuff into a shredder is fun!” she exclaims. She also keeps an old-school calculator on her desk, despite having digital alternatives, as a nod to her English degree and the math involved in budget management.

Personal Touches and Decor

Photographs and Mementos

The walls of Smithers’ office are adorned with photos that hold sentimental value. “Most of my photos are of people and things that I love, but two of them are of complete strangers,” she explains. One notable piece is a portrait of an older woman named Gladys, which she discovered in a thrift store frame. “It made me sad to think about how she got all dressed up and did her hair and makeup to sit for this photo and then just ended up in a second-hand shop,” she reflects. Gladys has become a fixture in her workspace, complete with an “Employee of the Month” placard.

Another framed photo features a couple on their wedding day, also found while exploring antique shops. “I thought they deserved to be proudly displayed in a home,” she adds, emphasizing her appreciation for preserving stories and memories.

Greenery and Pottery

Smithers identifies as a “plant lady” and a pottery enthusiast. “I started taking wheel-thrown pottery classes almost two years ago and began dabbling in hand-building about a year ago,” she shares. Initially, her goal was to replace her existing plant pots with handmade ones, but the number of pots quickly outgrew her plants. “Now I have sixty-two plants in this house, with eleven living in this office,” she states proudly.

To accommodate her love for succulents, she invested in a grow light, which has proven beneficial in maintaining her plants’ health. “I’ve only had one plant death in the past four months!” she exclaims, showcasing her dedication to nurturing her green companions.

Lighting and Collections

Illuminating the Space

Among her decor, Smithers has a striking lamp on her desk that draws inspiration from her past. “I used to live with one of my best friends, Liz, who has a background in interior design,” she explains. “She had a Tiffany-style lamp in her bedroom that I always admired.” Although she wishes she could say she found it at an estate sale, she admits to purchasing it from Amazon for its aesthetic appeal.

Souvenir Collection

Another personal touch is her collection of spoons, which began when her parents gifted her one as a souvenir from each family vacation. “Each spoon has a memory attached to it, even my oldest one from a trip to Universal Studios when I was two,” she reminisces. This collection has expanded to include spoons from trips taken with her husband, Aleks, and now requires a second rack for display.

Artistic Touches

Whimsical Decor

Among her eclectic decor is a whimsical flying eyeball named Icarus, crafted by artist Sammy Jane, who specializes in ethical taxidermy. “I love these fantasy creatures called Optopods,” she shares. “Icarus likes to watch me work, and my dogs like to come in and gently sniff him.” This blend of quirky art adds character to her workspace and reflects her unique taste.

Meet the Dogs

Furry Companions

Smithers’ workspace is also shared with her two dogs, Ned Flanders and Olive Loaf. Ned, a white dog, is around ten years old and was rescued from the streets of Cairo. “He’s the Most Spoiled Dog in America,” she jokes, noting his affectionate nature and tendency to follow her around the house.

Olive, the black dog, is eight years old and was a Christmas gift from Aleks. “She’s allegedly a mix of several breeds and understands way too much English for her own good,” Smithers laughs. “I have to be careful not to say ‘walk’ during meetings, or she’ll lose her mind.” Their presence adds warmth and joy to her workspace, making it a truly personal sanctuary.

In summary, Sarah Smithers’ home office is a reflection of her personality, interests, and the life she shares with her husband and dogs. From the custom-built desk to the eclectic decor, each element contributes to a workspace that is both functional and deeply personal.

Source: Original report