The Setup That Started It All

This was the first desk setup I ever built, and the first one I shared on Instagram. I put it together when I started working from home and realized how much my environment could affect my mood, focus, and overall energy throughout the day. I did not want to work from a space that felt temporary or uninspired. I wanted something that felt personal, clean, and motivating, a setup that made me actually want to sit down and spend time there.

The goal was to create one space that could handle everything: photo editing, my 9-to-5 work, gaming, and everyday entertainment. The setup was built around an LG 34” UltraWide Ergo monitor and a dock-based workflow that made switching between devices incredibly simple. With a single Thunderbolt cable connected to the CalDigit TS3+, I could plug in either a MacBook Pro or a PC and have the whole setup ready to go. That flexibility was a big part of what made this desk work so well in real life, not just in photos.

What really made this setup special to me was the balance between function and atmosphere. The black and wood aesthetic gave it a clean, grounded look, while the custom tabletop made it feel unique. I bought the wood from a local wood shop and stained it myself, which gave the desk a more personal feel than anything off the shelf could have. Paired with the Grovemade desk shelf, felt desk pad, Audioengine speakers, and a few carefully chosen accessories, the whole space felt intentional without being overdone.

Looking back, this setup solved a lot more than just cable management or desk organization. It gave me a space that felt like mine during a time when work and home were starting to blur together. It was practical, flexible, and comfortable, but just as importantly, it made me feel more locked in, more creative, and more at ease. For a first build, it set the tone for everything that came after.