Cozy Desk Setup with Plants in the Czech Republic

Name: Petr Hubacek

Location: Mikulčice, a small village in the Czech Republic

Occupation: Financial Controller

Room size: 42 m² (452 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~€4,5K ($4,9K)

Social media: Reddit

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

Hello, my name is Petan, and I’m 30 years old.

I live in a small village in the Czech Republic.

I work as a financial controller, focusing on data analysis and reporting.

Outside of PC games, my hobbies include sports, primarily working out at the gym, and canoeing down wild rivers.

I’d like to expand this hobby. So far, I’ve canoed on quiet rivers in the Czech Republic and wild rivers in Slovenia and Austria.

My plan is to visit the rivers of France or Albania next.

I own a house, and although the major renovations are complete, there is still work to be done.

I’m currently focused on establishing and restoring an ornamental and utility garden, among other things.

I’m also tempted to start making my own kombucha or delve deeper into the ins and outs of coffee beyond just clicking a button on a coffee maker.

Take us through your setup

It all started sometime in 2016 when I came across videos from the creators of randomfrankp and TechSource.

I think almost everyone interested in desk setups knows at least one of them.

It started innocently.

I ordered some figures, a headphone stand, and some RGB strips.

At that time, it was all in its infancy (at least here in the Czech Republic); there was no proper RGB sync through hardware, custom keyboards weren’t on the European market, and when you did get something, features like hot-swap didn’t exist.

My first upgrade was buying a Logitech G mechanical keyboard and a gaming headset.

I remember being a student, and most of the things I have now started as budget versions.

I probably overpaid (the budget items had to be sold off), but it helped me figure out what I liked and what I didn’t.

Take, for instance, my audio and keyboard upgrades. For audio, I progressed from G633 gaming headphones to Sennheiser HD 350, and then to SHP9500.

For keyboards, I went from a Logitech G Pro to an Anne Pro 2, then a custom NK65 Milkshake edition, and finally, a QK65.

You could say the journey is the goal.

What was the main struggle that you faced?

By 2021, I was nearly finished, and even though I didn’t have everything I wanted, I considered the desk setup complete for a while.

Unfortunately, a tornado hit the Czech Republic.

Although all my things survived, the room was destroyed, and the house had to be rebuilt, forcing me to move my workspace to another room.

So, I had to start from scratch.

The desk became the focal point.

I realised I didn’t want to use IKEA tables or desks anymore.

I wanted something unique and of higher quality.

Now, I have oak planks from a local joinery shop with adjustable legs to match.

I considered what would be on the left and right sides of the desk, where I wanted the computer to be located.

I thought long and hard about whether to go with dual monitors or an ultrawide.

In the end, since I don’t work from home very often, I decided to go for a quality 27-inch monitor with a higher refresh rate.

The whole spirit of the setup comes from simplicity.

I knew I didn’t want a blinking RGB setup.

I focused on elegant black with plant elements, and Fractal Design’s North Case was a great fit.

But I’m getting a little ahead of myself; the PC was the last purchase.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

One of my first upgrades was building my own mechanical keyboard from scratch.

I fell in love with custom keyboards the moment I saw them. I watched the foreign market and envied those YouTubers who had access to them.

When the opportunity to buy the NK65 prebuilt came up at an affordable price, I jumped on it. I quickly got used to the long delivery times typical of group buys.

Although I was excited about it and even relubed the switches and stabs, and added films, it was still a “prebuilt.”

In 2022, I came across a group buy for Milkyway barista keycaps, and that’s when I knew I had to get a keyboard kit and build a new one.

Now, I’m very tempted by a wooden keyboard kit — let’s see if I start another build.

What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?

From the beginning, it’s been YT channels randomfrankp and TechSource.

On Instagram, I enjoy following calmsetups and on Reddit, it’s gotta be Battlestations. You can find a ton of inspiration on both.

And unfortunately, because of that, your setup will never be finished :D

Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?

It’s a long journey; don’t expect everything to be done right away.

Don’t compromise.

If you like a particular mouse, PC case, keyboard, etc., it’s better to wait and get the one you really want.

If you buy a cheap copy, it will annoy you, and you’ll end up getting the dream one anyway.

How many hours a day do you normally spend at your desk?

More than I should. Over five hours if I immerse myself in something.

Mostly in the winter months or when a really addictive game comes out.

I love indie games, especially survival ones.

I love Don’t Starve, Terraria, and lately Cult of the Lamb or Dave the Diver.

After many years, I invested money in a AAA game, and that was Baldur’s Gate. I can say it was the first AAA game I’ve enjoyed in a long time.

I played League of Legends for about seven years in the past.

Now, I’m back to it more recreationally.

What does your typical day look like?

I usually get up around 6 or 7 am, depending on what time I want to go to work.

The first thing I do is have a coffee.

Unfortunately, I can’t kick this bad habit. Then I spend the typical seven to eight hours at work.

After work, I like to have some quiet time, either with YT videos or PC games.

One solves a lot of problems at work and doesn’t want to continue doing so right after coming home.

Then my girlfriend and I take care of household chores.

We have a huge garden to maintain.

Evenings are pretty classic: watching series, playing PC games, night walking, or enjoying board games.

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We are big collectors, and our collections keep growing.

I would like to say that we go to bed early, but we usually don’t get to bed before 11.

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