When was the last time you were excited to go into the office? For me, it was this morning. 

 

Maybe I’m biased because I love my work as an interior designer, leading my growing team, and building lifelong partnerships (friendships, really) with my clients. But when I step into my Austin interior design studio, it’s no accident that my heart lights up with joy. After all, I carefully designed and curated every piece in this building to do so. 

 

Creating a space in which to create is endlessly engaging for me. It’s a satisfying endeavor to put collections together, gathering pieces from different eras and experimenting with decorative ideas. Of course, I like coming to the office. It’s my playground. 

 

What I’ve realized, however, is that not everyone feels the same. Five years after the pandemic shutdown and days spent working from home with our pets from the comfort of our own cozy lounge chairs, folks are still having debates over returning to the office. (Many are begrudgingly packing their satchels or even quitting in protest.) 

 

And for those who are facing returning to offices filled with rows of beige cubicles, I see their point. Why would anyone want to leave a space they love for a space that’s uninspiring?  

 

That’s why I’m declaring “business casual” dead. 

 

If you want to design an office people actually want to return to, it’s time to go business playful.

 

Why “Business Casual” Falls Flat Now 

Once upon a time, “business casual” was supposed to loosen the tie and breathe life into the office. What it really did was strip away the formality without adding any joy. We traded tailored Brooks Brothers suits for relaxed-fit khakis and mahogany-paneled offices for fluorescent lighting and gray carpets. 

 

Throughout this decade, we’ve proven that most jobs can be completed from anywhere, including home. So, now workplaces have to compete with spaces employees have curated to be reflections of their own creature comforts.  

 

Why should anyone face a commute to a soulless building? If you want your employees to come together under one roof, you have to make the office a destination.

 

The Case for Business Playful

So what is “business playful?” For me, it’s the marriage of serious work and a lighthearted spirit. It’s crossing our t’s and dotting our i’s so we can relax and enjoy ourselves a bit. We can take the work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. It’s the environments that encourage people to come together for enlightening conversations or retreat to a quiet zone of self-reflection. It’s colors, patterns, and collections that inspire. It’s an invitation to be creative again! And at our office, it’s also our mischievous cat, Basket, who is willing to insert themself into any meeting for emotional support. 

 

That applies to leadership, too. I’ve seen business owners delegate a project but then hover in every meeting “just to see what’s going on.” If you don’t trust your team enough to run with their assignments, you’re not leading. You’re babysitting. I’ve learned that the best results come when I step back, listen more than I talk, and even poke fun at myself now and then. It’s amazing how much trust and creativity can grow in a space where people don’t feel micromanaged.

 

Designing a Destination, Not an Obligation

When we moved into our new space, the Highland Design Atelier in Austin, I didn’t just want bigger walls to hold our fabric samples (though that was a perk). I set out to create a workshop that people would want to come to, and not just because it’s their job.

 

Our Bauhaus-inspired space is collected, eclectic, and in a constant state of evolution. Every time you walk in, there’s something new to see. And I mean that literally. I am always adding something new to the space, like a decorative glass wall to catch the morning light or stained glass panels to illuminate the walls like a jewel box as the afternoon sun sets. 

 

I’ve also decorated the space with trompe-l’œil pieces I brought back from Paris. This art of visual trickery was first perfected by ancient Greek painters like Zeuxis and Parrhasius, who famously fooled birds and rival artists alike. In our case, the visual illusion is a pile of rubbish bags, which I think are beautiful. They sit among Bentwood chairs rescued from estate sales, flea markets, and occasionally the back of someone’s truck. 

 

Right now, I’m working on a new project: papier-mache staghorn ferns. I wanted to have real ones lining the walls, but I settled on this approach after my landscape architect told me the real ones wouldn’t survive here. I think the workaround is a nice reminder of taking a creative approach when things don’t go your way. 

 

My Philosophy Behind It

All this collecting, curating, and refreshing isn’t just for looks. It’s all what makes a space worth working in. Providing a workplace that delights the senses, offers treats and perks, and gives our team reasons to laugh and connect is good for business and even better for our happiness. At this stage in my life, a happy life is my main focus. I’ve come to see that designing a playful, evolving workspace is really about designing a life you actually want to live. 

 

How to Bring the Business Playful Mindset to Life 

Even if you don’t have a workshop full of antiques and custom upholstery, you can still infuse your space with personality and joy. Here’s where to start:

 

• Design with humor and surprise. Unexpected wallpaper in the conference room. A quirky light fixture in the lobby. Art that makes people smile (or better yet, think).
• Make it feel like a place you’d pay to be. Borrow from coffee shops, boutique hotels, or favorite hangouts for lounge areas and break spaces.
• Create zones for every mood. Open tables for collaboration, quiet nooks for focus, and a central spot for casual catch-ups.
• Bring in personal touches. Collections, local art, or vintage finds instantly make a space feel human.
• Let it evolve. Rotate artwork, rearrange furniture, and keep the space fresh so there’s always something new to notice.

 

The Business of Play

The future of work isn’t about office policy changes or mandatory in-person days. It’s about making a workplace magnetic. Create a place people return to, not out of obligation, but out of genuine desire. It should feel as welcoming as your favorite coffee shop. 

 

Build your own playground.