Grounded Simplicity: Designing with Intention and Presence

For internationally renowned designer Clodagh, a home workspace must offer more than surface area. She wanted a sanctuary. Something grounding, focused, and deeply personal — a space that could quiet the noise of the day and offer a clear mind for writing, creating, and living.  

As the vision materialized, it centered in a custom waterfall-edge concrete desk designed in partnership with Trueform Concrete, a long-time collaborator.  

“The inspiration for the desk is my desire for simplicity—a grounding place to work and a hiding place for “stuff’ like the printer, the dog’s bed, the wastepaper basket.”  -Clodagh. 

In other words: no clutter. No distraction. Just intention. 

Material That Grounds 

Concrete may not be the first material that comes to mind for a wellness-focused workspace, but for Clodagh, its presence is both symbolic and sensory. 

“Concrete is heavy, so it doesn’t move at all. My quiet, solid concrete desk by Trueform grounds the entire room.” -Clodagh 

The material's permanence brings stability. Its waterfall ends create visual boundaries that conceal while honoring form. And its satin-smooth finish offers a tactile calm that enhances rather than competes with her creative flow. 

Designing with Intention — and All the Senses 

Clodagh’s workspace isn’t just about what’s visible—it’s an orchestration of sight, sound, texture, energy, and scent. Her holistic design approach ensures that every sense is honored in service of wellbeing and clarity. 

• The soft fur of her dog Rosie resting under the desk. 
• The soothing notes of Chopin or Miles Davis in the background. 
• Lavender and ylang-ylang drifting through the air. 
• A Tibetan singing bowl that clears the energy of the space. 
• A Buddha statue reminding her to remain kind and non-critical. 

The concrete desk acts as an anchor for these sensory layers—stable, neutral, unobtrusive—a solid partner in her commitment to wellness. Other elements designed by Clodagh—like a rippling tin tile wall and Driftwood vent cover— enrich the space with texture and quiet rhythm, supporting the overall sense of clarity.  

A Space That Reflects a Life in Balance 

From alphabetized file folders to family photos, every item in Clodagh’s home office has a role and a reason. Her space reflects a lifetime of thoughtful living, where beauty, order, and presence are in perfect balance. 

“We are where we live and work. To design, write, communicate — and keep Rosie happy — requires the kind of organization where everything has its place and there is a place for everything.” -Clodagh 

Trueform’s desk supports that rhythm. It doesn’t intrude — it simply serves. It’s big enough to hold ideas. Quiet enough to invite focus. Tailored enough to feel like it’s always belonged. 

The Power of Concrete 

In a world of mass-produced furniture, this custom desk speaks volumes — not loudly, but with presence. It’s not just a work surface; it’s an extension of Clodagh’s mind, body, and values. She says of including concrete in interior design, “don’t even think about it twice. You’ll never regret its presence in a room.” 

“There is a universality about the presence of concrete,” says Clodagh. “Used for years as a building material, it is perfectly comfortable invited into a room as a piece of furniture. Warmer to the touch than stone and malleable as putty until it sets, it lends a powerful presence to any room.” 

“Clodagh has been an ambassador for concrete as a design medium for decades. She has a keen sense of connection to the anima within materials – and concrete really resonates with her. My guess is that it’s because concrete never feels forced or contrived –rather, it delights in its imperfections. And that promotes a sense of serenity.” -Paul Grech, Creative Director at Trueform. 

This collaboration is the embodiment of Trueform’s mission: to enable better design through better materials for better living. In Clodagh’s home office, that mission is realized with quiet brilliance. 

Ready to Design with Intention? 

Trueform Concrete partners with designers and visionaries to bring ideas to life — from bespoke desks to fully custom furniture pieces that transform the way people live and work.