Clean and Minimal Workspace in Austin, Texas

Name: Aaron von Kreisler

Location: Austin, Texas, the United States

Occupation: Small Business Owner

Cost of setup: ~$5K including all tech

Social media: Instagram

Website: Modhaus

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a software engineer turned business owner with a knack for making things.

One of the most rewarding things for me is being able to take something from an idea and turn it into reality — whether that is in software, business, or any other creative endeavour.

I started my entrepreneurial journey by building and refurbishing furniture in my garage on the side, which quickly transitioned into my current business, Modhaus, where we design and make desk accessories with a focus on natural materials.

At this stage, I wear a lot of hats and am constantly learning and experimenting with new approaches to grow the business and brand.

It’s challenging, sometimes unpredictable, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Every day brings its own lessons, and the journey has been rewarding so far.

Take us through your setup

My workspace is in a small room at the front of my house, which gets the best natural light right after the living room.

Sunlight helps me stay energised, so having that brightness throughout the day makes a big difference.

My desk setup is always evolving, depending on what feels right at the moment.

I own a few different desks for photo shoot props that I rotate through, but I always come back to a neutral-toned desk paired with white oak accessories and black accents.

There’s just something about that combination that feels right to me.

I’m drawn to natural materials in my workspace and home — they bring warmth, character, and a sense of comfort that makes any space feel inviting.

Around five years ago, I first became interested in workspaces with a $100 gaming desk I bought off Amazon.

Back then, I was living in a tiny apartment and had no other spot for the desk but the closet.

It wasn’t exactly an ideal setup, to say the least.

As time went on, I moved apartments and eventually into my current house.

With each move, I upgraded my workspace bit by bit, learning what worked and what didn’t.

What started as a cramped corner has grown into a space that feels intentional and helps fuel my creativity.

This journey taught me that building a space that feels good to work in takes time, and it’s the details that make all the difference.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

My favourite item on my desk right now is the Upright One — a MagSafe stand that I designed earlier this year.

It has a wood top that connects to a heavy cement base via magnets.

It might look simple, but it’s been one of the more challenging products I’ve created.

I went through a lot of prototypes to get the mould for the base right and faced a few unexpected issues that required more tweaks.

When the first batch started shipping out, many arrived with the magnets fallen out, even though each one went through a lot of testing.

It turned out that the nickel plating on the magnets was too smooth for the epoxy to bond properly and caused them to slip when in transit a few days after curing.

The fix? I hand-sanded the back of every magnet to create a rough texture that the epoxy could grip and properly bond to.

Since then, I’ve developed a better, more efficient system that lets me produce small batches faster and with a much higher-quality finish.

All the ups and downs were worth it, shaping the Upright into what it is now — one of our best sellers.

What apps or tools do you use to get things done?

Most of the tools and software I use are geared toward running the business, but I have a few go-to’s for productivity and personal use.

I’ve tried a lot of different apps to manage my time and tasks, but in the end, I always come back to the basics — Google Calendar, the Notes app, or just plain pen and paper.

I love the idea of dedicated productivity apps, but I can never stick with them. I’ll use one for a week or two, and then they just fade away.

My biggest productivity hack is super simple: write it down.

Whether it’s on paper or in a digital calendar, getting a task out of my head and onto something tangible makes a huge difference and helps turn it into reality.

Once it’s on the calendar, I can move it around if I need to, but the simple act of writing it down always helps clear my mental space.

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

I don’t get much time to read these days (or rather haven’t made the time!), but I’m always on the lookout for good podcast recommendations.

A lot of my time is spent doing tasks that can become repetitive, so I like to have something on in the background.

Lately, I’ve been listening to interviews with Seth Godin.

His perspective on building a brand resonates with me — focusing on helping people, creating value, and building trust rather than simply pushing for sales.

It’s a mindset I’m trying to bring into Modhaus as we grow.

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

As many others will likely say — take your time.

Invest in the things that matter to you, but do it with intention.

Apps like Pinterest, Cosmos, or Milanote can be great for gathering inspiration and creating a mood board to visualise your setup before making big purchases.

It’s much easier to see your vision come together first than to spend a lot of money on gear and realise you want to go in a different direction (speaking from experience!).

What does your typical day look like?

A typical day for me varies depending on the time of year.

Right now, it’s the start of the holiday season, so a big portion of my day is spent in the woodshop building up inventory for Black Friday.

I start my mornings on the couch with some coffee, scrolling through Instagram and TikTok for a while.

After that, I take my dog for a walk around the neighbourhood, which helps me get moving and clear my head.

Once I’m back, I head to my setup and knock out any admin work — replying to messages and emails, checking reports, packaging orders, etc.

Then it’s out to the woodshop, where I pick up where I left off the day before. With the holiday rush, I’m usually there until the evening.

In the evenings, I like to unwind by playing tennis.

I played competitively when I was younger, got back into it about a year ago, and am starting to compete again.

It’s fun, feeds my competitive spirit, and is a great way to de-stress and stay healthy.

After that, I come home, clean up, have dinner, and wind down with some TV, maybe squeezing in a bit more work on my laptop.

Your tips for working from home?

There’s a lot of productivity tips out there, but the most impactful one for me is a little counterintuitive — take breaks.

How often do you spend the whole day stuck on a problem, only to have the solution come to you after stepping away for a bit, perhaps while in the shower, or doing something else?

It can be tough to take breaks, especially when you feel the need to push through and get the next thing done.

But taking breaks helps our brains process information, reset, and come back to tasks with a clearer perspective.

It’s a simple habit that can make a big difference in staying productive and focused.

^{We’re a reader-supported publication. This article might contain affiliate links. It means we may receive a commission if you click a link and buy a product that our maker has recommended. The interview was done independently.}