Let There Be Lights

O, The Oprah Magazine | From the Fall 2006 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Credits: Photographs by Sang An, styling by Sam Cook

The Work Space

You can carve an office space out of your living room with as little as a table and the right light, designer Rick Shaver suggests. "A corner by the window is ideal, because then you get the natural light that comes in," he says. "When you're looking up and taking a short break, nothing is better than an outside view."
In the reading area, Rick used weathered gray woods for the built-in shelves and a nearly all-gray palette. The bright task light efficiently illuminates the work surface.

Light Sources:
A die-cast aluminum task lamp targets your keyboard and papers; a red filter adds a small shock of color without affecting the light ($435, Artemide). Shaver's chenille-covered Crossings chairs are from Crescent Fine Furniture. A silver MacBook Pro rests on a Florence Center Hall table by Shaver/Melahn Studios.

Avoid eyestrain with an adjustable task lamp.