The Workplace Jungle

Awsome, but ridiculous? A DELL??

The remarkable thing about that to me is that in 7 years with my company I've moved offices about 6 times. I can't imagine ever being at a desk long enough to accomplish that, unless it's much more portable than it appears. Cool, though.

Jason

cool desk. the plants make it look relaxing. just a quick question. i see on the desktop there is a dachsund dog on your computer wallpaper. My landlord who lives above me has one, and it barks, a lot, especially when no one is home. does aynone know a way to make those dogs stop barking so much. i know there are machines that can make noise that help to cut back the dogs barking, are they humane? thanks for anyhelp.

jslizzle

Sorry, didnt notice it put projectvirus there for some reason.

@Bryan: I know, god forbid, someone actually work at a company where they have to do some work in a PC environment. We aren't all gfx artists and we designers.

There's something about plants and computers I like...

I think it makes the space very easy to work in, because on the one hand, the workspace in itself tends to have a very "worky" (ugh I know, I couldn't think of any better word) environment, but when you throw plants in the mix, it gives it more of an open, natural, and fun vibe.

SJRNWT

@Jason: Ditto that sentiment. I've worked with my company for 2 years and have moved offices 6 times.

Any suggestions for someone with a windowless office? Unfortunately, my office is the only room without a window in our building.

gforster

Any suggestions for someone with a windowless office? Unfortunately, my office is the only room without a window in our building.

gforster

One small Tip:
If you are going to take a picture of your office and call it a jungle theme you should remove the picture of the wife.

-I really had to restrain myself and not make a nasty comment.

sir_pantsalot

One small Tip:
If you are going to take a picture of your office and call it a jungle theme you should remove the picture of the wife.

-I really had to restrain myself and not make a nasty comment.

sir_pantsalot

@sir_pantsalot: Well, that just makes you passive-agressive, rather than full-blown aggressive.

furrowed

@TheGuardian: Oh...or it's actually Hoyas (maybe I should read the jump first next time)

MASSIVE POTHOS! I've got a single vine going from the top of the hutch to about halfway down my desk, but that's like vine-blinds.

A string of rope lights behind the desk would look killer with that greenery too =D

@gforster: fake plants perhaps

miguelchin36

@sir_pantsalot: Thank goodness that you at least posted this so that we can restrain ourselves and refrain from making nasty comments about your lack of maturity. :/

witeowl

I've seen those plants grown in office spaces with NO natural light to great effect. They really will grow with only the sickly light of fluorescent lights, just a bit slower. :)

I think I need to bring plants back to work...my desk is crying out for some organic love.

redwarrior

@TheGuardian: I thought it was a golden pothos. Looks a lot like mine. Well, mine is at the 2-year mark.

USBhack

Anyone have any suggestions on how to grow these/cost etc?

I really like it but I kill pretty much anything I try to grow =\

Zkdog

That definitely looks like a Pothos. They are often misnamed as philodendrons. Hoyas have thicker leaves with more solid coloring, especially near the middle.

Josef Faulkner

@jslizzle: usually wiener dogs arent that crazy...

urbanturban666

@jslizzle: A swift kick in the gut? Rat poison?

@@Jason: The summary did say that Mark works at a government office and if he's a full-time, permanent employee then the likelihood of moving around is going to be slim.

mayflyripper

@Bryan: Typical government-office issue machine.

@gforster: You could get Pothos or Spider Plants.

gregivq

@Bryan: Yes. I know it wont win any awards at Starbucks, but some of us dont care what other people think of our computer.

Josh Lewis

My office has had pretty bland cube design, until the new person turned hers into a jungle with all of these plants hanging over the walls. Now everyone else has room to design!

I think they are also called the money plant, believe it or not, you can plant them in a fish tank completely submerged and they will grow roots and grow new leaves. Fish water is liquid fertilizer.

dpok69

@Zkdog: Well if you feel uncomfortable with properly caring for plants get spider plants. They grow amazing even with improper care. I've had one since third grade that is still growing and I just graduated high school.

Pho3nix1991

I think I need to do something like this in my bedroom. Summer is rolling in soon and my allergies are killing me and my bedroom has a stale smell if I close the window for too long. Time to grow some plants! :)

Pho3nix1991

@gforster: Time to pull out the trusty hammer... But as gregivq said Spider Plants grow amazingly everywhere... Kind of like potatoes.

Pho3nix1991

This is a desk with a plant on it. The more of these lacklustre workspace pictures you post the more I am convinced I am working in trump towers over here! It's making me feel good! I have to go over to Flickr now, I really want to see the ones that don't make the grade to get a blog post!

zarathustra

First photo in group: [tinyurl.com] - I rest my case.

zarathustra

hmm, i think i might create a netted vine across the ceiling in my bedroom :D maybe with some hydroponic lights hidden above

@jslizzle: My dachshund didn't bark except when someone knocked on our door. My boyfriend's uncle's pack of the things doesn't bark much either. I don't think the breed is very yappy. Any chance your landlord would take kindly to a suggestion of training her not to bark?

EustaceTheDragon

@jslizzle: Not really anything you can do, sorry. They are likely bored and that is why they are barking and can't shut up. A probable cure is more exercise - on-lead walks for ~20 minutes minimum. I suppose you could offer to do this if you wished... but otherwise you are probably SOL.

anti-bark collars whether electronic or citrona are only as effective as the owner is at training. I might suspect that if the Dachs is that bored, owner might not be an effective trainer.

the auto-triggered noisemaking or silent whistle things, in my experience, are worthless. YMMV, though I have been "in" the training biz for >20 years.

Clumber

@SJRNWT: Totally Agreed. I always want green around my workspace, it makes me feel in a good mood. Thats also one of the reason I always keep the best green plant wallpapers..

rapid.fish

Thanks Lifehacker for picking my office to feature. Thanks for all the comments to the readers.
Just to clear up a few issues:
1. Dachshunds do bark when excited and just to say hello! Ours do bark especially when playing or when someone knocks on the door, but they can be distracted with a chicken chip...or loud noise.
2. You can talk trash about my Dell, but does what it needs to, it's not like we sit around playing Warcraft..this is a real work space.
3. My "jungle" would not be complete with my wife in it.
4. Small hooks were put into the wall and I used 20 lb fishing line for a support.

Again thanks much!
Mark

Mark Charneski

Blimey

zarathustra

I had a plant in my room once. Gets messy quick. I got bugs too.

Kavi Agarwal

I've seen some nice wall mural wall papers. Combine with fake plants and there you go..

Here a couple links...
[www.muralsyourway.com]
[muralsuperstore.com]

Mark Charneski

I recommend the new moisture retaining potting soil. Make sure you only water once a week and don't water if the soil is still moist. If you do the plants may get root rot and die. I use Miracle Grow when I water.

The pots cost about $10, soil $5, 2 plants/pot $ 10. Get low light plants even if you have a window..@Zkdog:

Mark Charneski

And this was a nice one? Perhaps you would prefer a picture of your boyfriend?@sir_pantsalot:

Mark Charneski