Ten Desks for Distance Learning

2020 is the year that keeps on keeping on, surprising us with every flip of the calendar. Remember way back in March when our kids were sent home from school for distance learning, and we all frantically rushed out to find toilet paper and hand sanitizer? While that was only five months ago, no one would blame you for thinking it had to have happened five years ago.

And now it’s late August, and true to 2020’s theme of everything being unprecedented, Back- to-School has a different look this year. If you’re like many families facing some version of virtual learning, instead of new clothes and backpacks, you’re on the hunt for desks for your tiny colleagues (AKA your kids) to work from home.

Pro Tips:

  • Consider what your kids will need to have on their desks - laptop, desktop, tablet, mouse, keyboard? Make sure that there is enough space to accommodate their needs.

  • Adjustable Desks will accommodate different heights and also allow for standing or sitting.

  • Standing desk converters will allow you to adapt any flat tabletop into a desk.

  • Do your children have flexible seating at school? (Perhaps they’ve talked about Hokki Stools, Wobble Chairs, Rocker Chairs, or Balance Ball Seats?) Consider replicating this at home, so that your children will be ready to learn in familiar surroundings.

  • Your children will most likely be spending a lot of time staring at a screen. While blue-light blocking glasses purport to reduce eye strain, experts advise setting up screens at a proper distance and taking plenty of breaks from looking at the screen.

  • Silence competing sounds from multiple zoom calls and improve your children’s focus with noise-canceling headphones. Puro’s are designed specifically for children.

It can feel like desks are the new TP- with out-of-stock, back-orders, and delayed arrivals the only kind of desks “available” to purchase. But don’t despair, Indigo Alley is here to help you with your tiny office furniture hunt. Here are ten desks designed to fit both your child’s smaller stature and also your décor.

 
  1. Modern Spirit from Universal Furniture (Contact Indigo Alley Interiors for pricing). The modern spirit desk has a sand and salt sea finish and includes one drawer for storage as a well as a built-in power outlet with USB ports. 50Wx23Dx38H

 
Brooklyn Desk.jpg

2. Brooklyn Desk by Oeuf ($575). The desk height is adjustable for growing children up to adult height. Includes removable storage boxes for corralling all of those pens and pencils. 40”Lx24”D

 

3. Summer Hill Desk by Universal Furniture (Contact Indigo Alley Interiors for pricing). Includes one drawer with removable tray and power outlet with USB port. Size: 52Wx22Dx30H

 

4. Safeco Alphabetter Desk with Dry Erase Desktop ($324). Adjustable-Height Desk gives students in grades 3-12 the opportunity to sit or stand during the school day and fidget. Patented Swinging Pendulum Footrest/Fidget Bar lets students redirect excess energy and engage in continuous motion to help support ergonomic comfort and cardiovascular health.

 

5. Short on Space? Try the fold-down Rooney Wall-Mounted Desk from Urban Outfitters ($179).  Small desk features a base that folds down when in use from a pull tab and features a fabric backing at interior to pin up your favorite mementos + inspirations. Mounts to wall.24.8”l x 5”w x 18.5”h

 

6. Postcard Writing Table by Universal Furniture (Contact Indigo Alley Interiors for pricing). Finished in a vibrant Marina hue, the Postcard Writing Table features two spacious drawers, a sleek crisscross base design, and contrasting silver hardware to complete the look. 56W X 26D X 30H

 

7. Omnizone Height Adjustable Kid’s Standing Desk (On Sale $145.56). This kid's standing desk is height adjustable so it can grow with your child. Manually adjust the height of this desk to accommodate both sitting and standing. The tilt angle on this sit/stand desk makes it easy to setup from different activities like drawing and coloring

 
 

8. Pottery Barn Preston Desk ($399) Crafted of poplar, rubberwood, prima vera veneer, and MDF. Desk equipped with two roomy drawers; knobs finished in brushed pewter. 45" wide x 17" deep x 30" high

 

9. Charlie Writing Desk and Hutch from Pottery Barn ($799). This Craftsman-style desk and hutch include antiqued hardware, a solid hardwood frame and phthalate-, BPA- and lead-free construction make it as stylish and long-lasting as it is healthy for your home. Hutch is designed with 4 storage cubbies and a large cork board with a cord cutout for routing wires. Desk features 2 spacious drawers for storage.

Kids at Home Desk.JPG

10. Kids at Home Desk and Stool from WFH Desks (On Sale $269). 4 Adjustable Heights to fit your child from ages 5-12. Ergonomically designed to reduce strain and fatigue. Adapts to your child and their equipment. Packs away flat under a bed when disassembled.

 

Catherine McEaddy Holmes

About

Catherine McEaddy Holmes is a writer. She lives in Washington DC with her husband, two children, and their puppy Sherlock.

Summer's Hottest Trend

Summer is here and it is hot one! Unfortunately, the corona virus has cancelled many of our summer plans. We are all spending a lot more time in our homes as we try to beat the heat and help stop the spread of the corona virus. This summer’s biggest interior design trend is all about bringing the outside in and helping to make our spaces just a little bit happier. Here are 5 fun and easy ways you can incorporate nature into your home to create a more peaceful and beautiful space.  

The palm in the corner adds texture and visual interest to this cozy living room. Design by Indigo Alley Interiors. Photography by Callie Cranford.

The palm in the corner add texture and visual interest to this cozy living room. Design by Indigo Alley Interiors. Photography by Callie Cranford.

House Plants:

Probably the most obvious as well as easiest ways to bring a little of the outdoors in, houseplants have been increasing in popularity for a while now for many reasons. More than just pretty décor, studies have shown that plants can boost your mood, reduce stress, and help to keep the air temperature down. Plants are a great way to add some life to an empty corner or shelf. If you are a novice start with something hardy like the aptly named Cast Iron Plant (which will survive with low light, poor soil, and infrequent watering) or the Snake Plant (which can last up to a month without watering). If you are looking for a beautiful and unique planter check out Tracie Hervy’s handmade pottery sold online at Bloomist.com.


Live Edge Coffee Table from Alabama Sawyer

Live Edge Coffee Table from Alabama Sawyer

Wooden Furniture:

Custom wooden furniture (like this live edge coffee table from Alabama Sawyer) are a beautiful way to bring a little bit of the natural world into your dining room or living room. Every piece is unique in size, shape, and color. Sustainability is the name of the game here as many live edge pieces are made from logs that may otherwise be discarded.


Grasscloth

Grasscloth can add a lot of texture and depth to a space. This natural material goes with just about every style and is beautiful when installed correctly. It is important to know that natural grasscloth can be a little unpredictable when it comes to color variations, but we believe that this is part of its beauty. Natural grasscloth can be easily damaged by water and will absorb strong odors. You may want to consider using a vinyl alternative depending on the location.


Floral Fabric:

When looking to update your space, there are hundreds of beautiful fabrics options to choose from. These cheerful options from Rifle Paper Co make us smile and are a great way to make a statement. The bright colors and bold prints add a splash of fun to any room.


Light Fixtures:

When thinking of ways to update your space, don’t forget to look up! Interesting and unexpected, these light fixtures from Curry & Company offer a unique way to bring a little bit of the outside inside. From under water sea creatures to tropical palms and floral wreaths there is something for everyone. Switching out your light fixture is a great way to bring new life to a space.

Classic Blue

Pantone has announced that their color of the year for 2020 is Classic Blue. Pantone describes their choice as “instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.” Blue evokes feelings of calm and comfort which the team of color experts at Pantone suggests that people are craving in this fast paced world.

pantone-classic-blue-the-new-color-of-the-year-2020.jpg

In Psychology Today, Professor Diane Dreher explains that blue is one of the world’s most popular colors. It “affects us both cognitively and affectively, making us feel more comfortable”. Reminding us of the natural world around us blue “offers us a sense of comfort and peace”.

Left to Right: 1. House Beautiful - Jeanette Whitson 2. Brunschwig & Fils (As seen on The Pink Pagoda Blog) 3. Nantucket Powder Room (From Design Darling) 4. Katie Denham Interiors Belvedere Home

Although a classic, this color is anything but boring. Blue is a staple in the design world. Whether you choose to use it as the dominating focal point in your space or accent with smaller pieces, blue is always a good choice. If you are looking to incorporate 2020’s Color of the Year into your space, then look no further. We have rounded up some of our favorite furniture and accessories below.  

12 Fresh Fall Finds to Update your Space

Well the temperature can’t seem to make up its mind here in the low country, but believe it or not it is the end of October and I think its safe to say its officially fall! Fall is a great time to switch things up. Creating a fresh look doesn’t always have to mean a full design makeover. Sometimes, just switching out a few accessories can make a big difference.  We’ve compiled a list of 12 great new home décor items to turn your space into a comfortable retreat this fall.

1. 18”x18” Leather Pillow (Surya - available from Indigo Alley) 2. 18”x18” Cream Pillow (Loloi with minimum purchase of 2 - available from Indigo Alley) 3. Hand woven Burnt Orange and Cream Throw (Surya - available from Indigo Alley) 4. 14” Woven Si…

1. 18”x18” Leather Pillow (Surya - available from Indigo Alley) 2. 18”x18” Cream Pillow (Loloi with minimum purchase of 2 - available from Indigo Alley) 3. Hand woven Burnt Orange and Cream Throw (Surya - available from Indigo Alley) 4. 14” Woven Sisal Basket (Target)

 Texture is key in this warm neutral scheme. The leather pillow and raffia basket provide a natural element and the hand-woven blanket completes the cozy look.           

5. 18”x18” Ivory (Loloi min order of 2 - available from Indigo Alley) 6. Pumpkin Succulent Planters (Pottery Barn) 7. ED by Ellen Orange and Cream 13”x21” (Loloi min order of 2 - available from Indigo Alley) 8. 50”x70” Linen Throw (PomPom at Home - …

5. 18”x18” Ivory (Loloi min order of 2 - available from Indigo Alley) 6. Pumpkin Succulent Planters (Pottery Barn) 7. ED by Ellen Orange and Cream 13”x21” (Loloi min order of 2 - available from Indigo Alley) 8. 50”x70” Linen Throw (PomPom at Home - available from Indigo Alley)

The orange accents in the pillow and throw create an inviting fall feel while this cream pillow reminds us of our favorite sweater amping up the cozy factor.

9. Oversized Riley Throw (PomPom at Home - Available through Indigo Alley) 10. Velvet Manhattan Sapphire 22”x22” (Lacefield Designs - available through Indigo Alley) 11. Linen 20”x20” Pillow (PomPom at Home - available through Indigo Alley Interiors…

9. Oversized Riley Throw (PomPom at Home - Available through Indigo Alley) 10. Velvet Manhattan Sapphire 22”x22” (Lacefield Designs - available through Indigo Alley) 11. Linen 20”x20” Pillow (PomPom at Home - available through Indigo Alley Interiors) 12. Candles Sizes and Prices Vary (LuLu & Georgia)

We love this beautiful combination. The cool deep blues mixed with the soft neutrals are an unexpected and moody pairing that would definitely up the cozy factor in any living room or bedroom. If you are interested in any of the items listed above, please contact us for more info and pricing.

Are there any go to home decor items that you like to pull out when the weather starts to turn cooler? How do you like to create a comfortable and cozy space? Leave us a comment below!