Robelen: Your office is also your home, how do you switch off?

Jen: It’s hard to switch off, but I do commit to spending evenings with my family, without interruptions from work. I’m usually cooking dinner, playing games, reading books and tucking my kids in for bed at night. Depending on how much energy I have after that, or how much work I have to get done, I will usually work for another hour or two at the end of the night. I wish I could say that at 5 p.m. work is done for the day, but when you run your own business, there’s really no downtime. I can’t ever seem to shut off my mind.

Robelen: What’s your favourite design element?

Jen: It’s hard to choose just one, but my top three favorite design elements are the gorgeous one-of-a-kind, oversized drum chandelier and Moroccan lantern light fixtures, the custom wood doors created to cover our TV that says “earth” repeated over & over in a medallion pattern, and of course the French doors that open wide to a bright balcony and view of the entire Valley.  Oh, and absolutely I love the graphic wallpaper focal wall.  Ok, I guess that makes four favorites!

 

 

Robelen: Your tips to creating a highly productive and creative office vibe.

Jen:

• Create a distinct space for work, and don’t allow your work to bleed into other areas of your home or life. When you’re not “working,” shut the door and allow yourself to be fully present in other aspects of your life.
• Set specific hours for when you will be working, and take time at the beginning and at the end of the day for yourself & your family. Communicate to your team when you are unreachable. For me, it’s between 6 – 8 p.m.  As long as you get your work done during your working hours, everyone will respect the hours you set.
• Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to write a To Do list for the following day. Be sure to include 3 specific tasks that will allow you to move closer to achieving your personal goals. I manage my To Do list in the Wunderlist app. I love how it synchs to my desktop, laptop and my iPhone.
• Surround yourself with things that inspire you. Cool office supplies, your favorite pens, pictures of your family, a plant, and a piece of art can transform your workspace into a place that energizes & motivates you!