Skip to Sidebar Skip to Content
Maker Stations
Anonymous

  • Sign In
  • About
  • Archive
  • Tips
  • Ideas
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • -For Members Only
  • Checklist
  • IKEA Setups
  • WFH Essentials
  • Quick Lunch Recipes
  • -Featured
  • Cat-Friendly Setup
  • Filmmaker Setup
  • Apple Setup
  • Secret Space
  • Travel Setup
Tags
  • Desk Tours
  • Cable Management
  • IKEA Setup
  • Design Setup
  • X/Twitter
  • Home
  • About
  • Submissions
© 2025 Maker Stations - Published with Ghost & Aspect

Cosy and Functional IKEA KARLBY Desk Setup in Nantes, France

  • Makers by Makers
    Makers Makers
    • •
    • January 08, 2023
    • •
    • 19 min read
    • Share on X/Twitter
    • Share on Facebook
    • Share on LinkedIn
    • Share on Pinterest
    • Email
    Cosy and Functional IKEA KARLBY Desk Setup in Nantes, France
    • IKEA Setup
    • Desk Tours
    • Multi-Monitor Setup
    • Gaming Setup

    Name: Nicolas R. Dumas

    Location: Nantes, France

    Occupation: Network & Security Consultant

    Room size: 12 m² (129 ft²)

    Cost of the setup: ~$4K

    Social media: Instagram

    Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

    Hi there, my name is Nicolas. I am a 31-year-old IT consultant living in Nantes, France.

    I was born in Paris, but my family moved to Nantes when I was five years old. I went back to Paris for my studies when I turned 18. I lived there for about twelve years before returning to Nantes 1,5 years ago.

    The reason for this move was that my daughter was born and the COVID-19 made it necessary for our family to have more space, nature, and a calmer environment.

    Cosy and functional IKEA KARLBY desk setup with ALEX drawers
    When it comes to his desk setup, Nicolas values comfort and warmth over a stark, minimalist aesthetic

    I’ve been working as an IT consultant for about six years now, and I really enjoy it.

    Since COVID, I have been working from home three to four days a week, which has allowed me to spend more time with my family.

    It has been a blessing.

    One thing that has always been true about me is that I love gadgets.

    At the age of 12, I blew everyone’s minds by connecting two monitors to the family computer.

    I have always wanted the latest phone, keyboard (for example, the Logitech diNovo when I was fifteen), computer, and other gadgets.

    You could say I’m a very enthusiastic tech enthusiast.

    Clearly, if I had unlimited money, I would probably become a danger to everyone in my household with all of the gadgets I would buy.

    Workspace Tours & Home Office Ideas
    Get inspired by our workspace tours with creators and makers across the globe. Create the home office space that works for you.
    Maker StationsEditorial Team

    In my free time, I enjoy playing video games with my friends.

    However, I prefer to play casually and have fun rather than becoming frustrated and mad when I die to a coward camper who is WAITING FOR ME AROUND THE CORNER.

    Yes, I’m talking about you, hardcoregamer69.

    Take us through your setup

    Item Model
    Monitor 1 MI 34″ 144Hz Ultrawide Monitor
    Monitor 2 Dell U2417H
    Monitor mount Duronic DM251X3
    Monitor light bar Xiaomi Monitor Light Bar
    Laptop HP EliteBook x360 16go
    Case Cooler Master NR200P Black
    Processor AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    MB ASUS ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
    RAM Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB 3600MHz C18
    GC EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 XC Ultra
    CPU cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition (modded it to fit with the tempered glass)
    CPU cooler fans ×2 Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Chromax Black Swap
    PS Corsair SF600 80PLUS Gold
    NVMe Samsung SSD 970 EVO M.2 PCIe NVMe 1TB
    SSD 1 Samsung Series 850 EVO - 250 GB
    SSD 2 Samsung Series 860 EVO - 500 GB
    Bottom case fans InWin Sirius Loop 120
    Custom cables Antec
    Headphones 1 AKG 845BT
    Headphones 2 Logitech G Pro X
    Keyboard 1 Keychron V2 w/ knob,
    Gateron Yellow Pro, Apollo cherry clones keycaps, switch foam, modified tape mode, Kingcables custom coiled cable, etc.
    Keyboard 2 Bought a “cheap” keyboard on Amazon, still with good reviews, planning to build the quietest MK possible to bring it to the workplace.
    Ranked Nova60, Gateron silent red switches (lubed and filmed), Oblivion XDA clones keycaps + additional mods (switch foam, silicon pad, tape mod, etc.)
    Mouse 1 Logitech G Pro Wireless
    Mouse 2 Logitech MX Master 3S
    Desk mat FORMGUT Wool Felt Mouse Pad 80x40cm
    Chair Found in a little furniture shop in France
    Laptop stand OMOTON
    Docking station IVANKY Hub USB C
    Web camera AUKEY 1080p Webcam
    Wireless charger Choetech Wireless Charger
    Headphone stand Luxa2 E-one Silver
    Phone stand Universal dock from Amazon
    Pegboard IKEA SKÅDIS (painted in green)
    Controller Xbox One Controller
    Figurine 1 Boba Fett in the terrarium (the terrarium was a gift, so I do not have an ID on it)
    Figurine 2 Groot
    Figurine 3 Kevin from the Pixar movie “UP”
    Desk IKEA KARLBY + ALEX drawers

    With this desk setup, I aim to create a productive and optimised environment for work and leisure, as I spend most of my day sitting there.

    I’m always changing and improving things, organising differently, and buying items that better suit my needs.

    A WFH workspace with two monitors and an IKEA KARLBY worktop
    An ultrawide monitor has made a big impact on Nicolas’ productivity. He prefers to keep Discord, Spotify, and other apps on a vertical monitor when he needs to use the main one in full screen

    My workspace has transformed a lot since I built my first setup (when I was 14, I believe).

    It has gone from full RGB lighting, a dual monitor, a big tower, and a glass desk, to what I have today, which may be very different from what I will have in a few months or years.

    I am now closer than ever to having a desk setup that truly satisfies me both practically and aesthetically, but I like to change things up frequently.

    An IKEA desk setup in France filled with personal items, such as plants, figurines and stationery
    By adding personal touches, such as pictures, figurines, plants, or other decorative items, you imbue your desk setup with character and create a welcoming environment. It allows you to feel comfortable in your workspace. This can foster a greater sense of productivity and well-being

    In an effort to make my setup feel cosy and welcoming, I have added personal items such as figurines (Marvel, Star Wars), pictures of my family and friends, and knick-knacks that have meaning to me (my lighter, Invincible comic, the art of Nantes, vinyl records of nostalgia-inducing artists and other things).

    I like plants as well, although I’m not very good at taking care of them. However, I do love having a bit of nature on my desk.

    For the colours and materials, I like to have a little bit of everything.

    I try to mimic the mix of different materials and colours that you would see in the outdoors (a tree, a metal pole, the pavement, a window, some artwork), as it feels more lively to me.

    A home office featuring a range of colours (green, wood, black, silver, grey, and yellow) and materials (metal, wood, felt, and glass)
    Nicolas used to have a minimalist, black-and-white desk setup back in the day. Now he enjoys mixing things up in his workspace by using a range of colours (green, wood, black, silver, grey, and yellow) and materials (metal, wood, felt, and glass)

    My work PC is a laptop.

    I use the Nova keyboard for work because it’s in the ISO FR layout. It’s more comfortable for me as a French speaker than the ANSI layout.

    I also built a budget custom keyboard with the goal of making it as silent as possible.

    I put red silent switches on it and did a lot of modifications.

    This way, no one can hear it during a call or if I bring it to work, and it feels like typing on clouds.

    For my personal rig, I use a Keychron V2 keyboard (I’m in love with this thing!) with knobs and either an MX Master or G Pro wireless mouse (it’s amazing for gaming). I have a docking station to keep the mouse charged and never run out of battery.

    I pair the keyboard with an MX Master 3S mouse, which is also relatively quiet and great for productivity.

    Unlock Exclusive Desk Tours & Workspace Inspiration

    Become our Productivity Patron for just $5/month and get insider access to 100+ workspace interviews, expert tips, and exclusive content to upgrade your setup.

    Become a member

    Already have an account? Sign in

    Makers Makers
      Makers Makers
        On this page
        Please check your inbox and click the confirmation link. Oops! Something went wrong while processing your subscription. Please try again later or contact us if the issue persists.

        Read Next

        • Apple Studio Display Desk Setup in Lisbon, Portugal 8 min read

          Apple Studio Display Desk Setup in Lisbon, Portugal

          Makers Makers
          Makers Makers
            May 18, 2025 • Cable Management • Desk Tours • Minimal Setup
          • PC Desk Setup for Gaming and Working from Home in Zurich, Switzerland 6 min read

            PC Desk Setup for Gaming and Working from Home in Zurich, Switzerland

            Makers Makers
            Makers Makers
              May 11, 2025 • Standing Desk Setup • Cable Management • Design Setup
            • Hybrid Work & Racing Simulator Setup in England 6 min read

              Hybrid Work & Racing Simulator Setup in England

              Makers Makers
              Makers Makers
                May 4, 2025 • Desk Tours • Sim Racing Setup • Multi-Monitor Setup
              • 15 Small Home Office Ideas That Make the Most of Tiny Spaces 10 min read

                15 Small Home Office Ideas That Make the Most of Tiny Spaces

                Makers Makers
                Makers Makers
                  May 3, 2025 • Home Office Ideas • Small Space Setup
                • How to Cat-Proof Your Desk Setup Without Hurting Any Feelings 5 min read

                  How to Cat-Proof Your Desk Setup Without Hurting Any Feelings

                  Makers Makers
                  Makers Makers
                    May 3, 2025 • WFH tips • Home Office Ideas
                  • Best IKEA Desk Accessories for Tiny Workspaces 8 min read

                    Best IKEA Desk Accessories for Tiny Workspaces

                    Makers Makers
                    Makers Makers
                      May 3, 2025 • Home Office Ideas • IKEA Setup • Small Space Setup
                    • The Best Desk Storage Ideas That Don’t Take Up Space 6 min read

                      The Best Desk Storage Ideas That Don’t Take Up Space

                      Makers Makers
                      Makers Makers
                        May 3, 2025 • Home Office Ideas • Small Space Setup
                      • Why Your Desk Setup Feels Off — And How to Fix It 15 min read

                        Why Your Desk Setup Feels Off — And How to Fix It

                        Makers Makers
                        Makers Makers
                          May 2, 2025 • Home Office Ideas
                        • The 5-Year Desk: How To Future-Proof Your Setup Without Chasing Trends 5 min read

                          The 5-Year Desk: How To Future-Proof Your Setup Without Chasing Trends

                          Makers Makers
                          Makers Makers
                            May 1, 2025 • Home Office Ideas
                          • 8 Must-Have USB-C Hubs That Actually Look Good on Your Desk 5 min read

                            8 Must-Have USB-C Hubs That Actually Look Good on Your Desk

                            Makers Makers
                            Makers Makers
                              May 1, 2025 • Home Office Ideas

                            Subscribe to Newsletter

                            Join me on this exciting journey as we explore the boundless world of web design together.

                            Please check your inbox and click the confirmation link. Oops! Something went wrong while processing your subscription. Please try again later or contact us if the issue persists.
                            Maker Stations
                            • About
                            • Archive
                            • Tips
                            • Ideas
                            • Advertise
                            • Subscribe
                            • -For Members Only
                            • Checklist
                            • IKEA Setups
                            • WFH Essentials
                            • Quick Lunch Recipes
                            • -Featured
                            • Cat-Friendly Setup
                            • Filmmaker Setup
                            • Apple Setup
                            • Secret Space
                            • Travel Setup
                            Tags
                            • Desk Tours
                            • Cable Management
                            • IKEA Setup
                            • Design Setup
                            • X/Twitter
                            • Home
                            • About
                            • Submissions
                            © 2025 Maker Stations - Published with Ghost & Aspect