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A lot of imagination, a great sense of design and a wave of creative joy.
We're talking about the cozy corner that Customer Success at Inexchange has been spoiled with. The department's skilled creator Jessica Wiikman has composed a spellbinding environment where it is a joy to relax.
It has also been done at minimal cost. The project is characterized by sustainability and is based on recycled furniture and gadgets.
There is a special reason why we want to focus on this irresistible corner on the first floor of the Skövde office. Inexchange is at the beginning of our special Sustainability Week (October 7-11). By highlighting sustainability initiatives and solutions, Inexchange wants to inspire people to take responsibility for our common future.
The week includes lectures, an office flea market and will be lined with everyday tips on circular resource use.
Lots of color!
And if you need to take a temporary break between the program and your regular work, you can take a breather in the company's most decorative place. It's a lovely contrast to all the lavish office environments around the country. When interior designers and stylists are on the move, they often fall into the trap of creating the usual stereotypical office look. You know: clinical, stylish and a lot of white.
The result is simply sterile and boring.
- Oh yes, says Jessica Wiikman and nods in agreement.
- Many people probably think that it has to be in a certain style just because it's a workplace. A lot of effort and money goes into it. Yet it becomes like a boring waiting room. You imagine that everyone likes it when it's neutral and stripped down.
- But in fact it's just the opposite, she objects firmly.
- I've done a lot of reading about what makes people feel good, feel good and work well in their workplace. The environment you sit in is super important. Not least the color choices. Letting everything go in white is devastating. It kills creativity and willingness to work. A lot of color is very important.
Reuse for minimal money
Jessica's inspired break room fulfills exactly this.
At a tiny price tag too.
- Yes, there is very little new. Most of it is recycled and the job itself has hardly required any budget at all, she explains and tells how she went about it:
- I started by checking what was in the basement, but half of the sofa I had aimed for had ended up somewhere else. So I had to think again. Instead, we found the black sofa. Then I took it from there.
One of the finds was made in the neighborhood.
- That's right. I managed to scrounge up the wall shelves that Drift had had and that don't fit now. "Can I use these?" I asked a little nicely and emphasized: "It's for everyone's good!". When that went well, I added: "Can I repaint them too?".
A pleasant environment for everyone
When you look at the structure and contents of the corner, it's a real mess, but somehow the details harmonize with each other. The items easily capture the viewer's interest both separately and together. Then the thoughts easily float away.
Which is exactly what Jessica wants to achieve.
She has no real explanation for how she has succeeded so well. In short, it is the aesthete in her that has shone.
- "I'm pleased, of course, that many people like the way it's decorated. My goal when I did this was to create a corner where people really want to sit and hang out," Jessica explains, emphasizing that the objects are an essential ingredient:
- 'There's quite a lot of different stuff to look at now. I want there to be things that appeal to everyone. Sometimes you get the idea that interior design is just general decoration. Like: "We can put some flowers here to spruce it up". For me, that's far too indifferent.
- When I decorate, I want to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable. The personal touch is important. So it's not enough to put a poor plant on a shelf - anyone can put an ugly flower on a shelf, right? If you want to add a personal touch, you need more," she says.
Like putting together a puzzle
If we interpret Jessica correctly, she is putting together a kind of puzzle. Only when one piece is in place does she know what fits next. In addition to what has been found at the company, some items have been brought from home. Others were bought for little money at flea markets.
As I said, it was recycling.
- Flea markets are cheap. There has been no question of any major outlay. And the things that have been at home are things I've either thought about for rooms that have not yet been realized or things that I've just stored. For me, it's not a sacrifice. Quite the contrary. Seeing the joy, and how people are happy and enjoying themselves, makes everything worthwhile, she says generously.
