Jason England is the Computers Editor at Tom's Guide, helping to cover everything from laptops and peripherals to gaming gear and virtual reality, and everything in between.
So we know he’s a tech enthusiast, as well as the site’s resident sim nerd and a bit of a coffee snob. How does all that combine to create a place that works for him? Well, I’m going to stop referring to myself in the third person now (it’s always a weird feeling to do as a writer, but it has to be done for Google reasons), and take you on a tour of my office, living room, and several other essentials that make this tiny apartment a home.
The bio
- Who are you? I'm a 30-something geek from the UK who managed to land his dream job: someone who can write (and talk) about technology.
- What is your vision for your home? I want my place to be a celebration of everything I love — technology, sim racing, and good food — with a hint of remembrance of the moments that brought me to this point.
- How long did it take you to get it? just RIGHT? Honestly, I don't think perfection is possible when it comes to building a house. a house. But over the years and moving between many places, I think I've gotten as close to perfection as I can get (for me).
- So how would you describe your place in three words? Productive, relaxing and clutter-free (but I'm a self-confessed gadget collector).
Office Installation Quick List
Tell us about your office setup
I wanted it to be versatile, ergonomic and productive. I already have I wrote a little about my own mega-office (by the way, many of the deals I mention there are still relevant), but let's go into a little more detail here.
The workload is very varied: writing, photography, videography, graphic design, team management (including a lot meetings, strategic planning and much more. And when I'm not doing my day job, I also have my own side hustles such as music creation and digital marketing for a few local restaurants.
Of course, I put a lot of effort into making sure I could master all the elements of the main career effectively, starting with the combination of the Sihoo Doro S300 chair and the Flexispot EG8 Comhar standing desk.
Additionally, I recently switched to a dual-monitor setup, with one being vertical (thanks for the tip, Anthony). The verticality is not only great for writing long stories, but also for browsing files, an ever-growing list of unread emails, and even tasks like editing song tracks.
The desk space and wireless functionality of the Kiiboom Phantom 81 V2 and Logitech MX Master 3S means I can start moving things around depending on what I'm doing, whether that's putting my MIDI keyboard on the deck or taking everything out in favor of a controller for some PC gaming.
Oh, and with the amount of work I do, I can stay at my desk late into the night, making the Quintis Monitor Light Bar one of the most important items in that office. I’ve always been hesitant about taking care of my eyes, but after several migraines, I realize it’s no small feat. From changing the brightness and color temperature to positioning it high up so it lights up my entire desk, this is a must-have purchase for any night owl.
As for the frames, they’re part of a routine I have to follow to celebrate the big press events of my career. It’s corny, I know, but it’s definitely a little ritual I like to do. Fun fact: I’m going to marry one of the people in the photos you see in these frames. Can you guess who?
Entertainment Setup Quick List
Tell us about your entertainment setup
Separated by an Ikea Kallax 4×4 shelving unit, we turn to the living room portion of this room. I want this to be a space where I can literally do anything, with the best possible experience when it comes to watching content or gaming, while also being a place where I can just turn everything off and relax.
So I have an Ikea Pärup L-shaped sofa facing the entertainment center – consisting of a 55-inch HiSense Mini-LED TV and Ruark Audio speakers for the best possible sound and picture from my PS5 and Xbox Series S. I also opted for Govee’s TV backlight system, which makes the whole thing look even more stylish.
Racing simulation is almost therapeutic for me: a discipline that teaches you to focus on self-improvement, which also happens to be an extremely fun video game experience.
My current gear is more on the budget side, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little jealous of the massive setups I see on YouTube, but for what I need right now as an intermediate runner, this isThe combination of the Logitech G923 and the Playseat Challenge X does the trick.
Thanks to the fact that I can fold it flat in a jiffy, storing it away to open up my living room is essential given the limited space I have. And for an unstoppable addictive experience, using my PSVR 2 with it in Gran Turismo 7 is simply a mind-blowing immersion that I can't live without.
Plus, that decor you see in a lot of my showcasing photos? It’s a combination of Nanoleaf hexagon lights, Grid Studio frames, and two wall-mounted plant stands. I love the aesthetic contradiction between the tech and nature worlds here for a set that brings both sides of the living room together.
Quick List of Other Essential Technologies
What else do you rely on in your life?
There was a time when I viewed food and drink as nothing more than fuel, which is probably why I gained so much weight in the past. But more and more, I've come to understand the importance of enjoying what you eat to reduce body fat and build muscle.
Of course, there is more to it than that, and Luiz Silva describes it in detail in his Reasons Why You May Not Be Building Muscle in the GymBut the main thing that helped me lose weight and get strong is planning what you're going to eat throughout the week and sticking to it.
And the appliance at the centre of it all is my trusty air fryer, which has expanded my culinary creativity exponentially (seriously, my Korean BBQ chicken thighs with egg fried rice are elite). Sure, it’s a different make and model to the Ninja AF101, but it’s the same size and power – just a slot in the middle of the aisle at Aldi (ask your British friends).
Finally, a special note for my Smeg EC-F01 espresso machine. I know the retro aesthetic doesn’t fit with the overall utilitarian vibe of the kitchen, but as I’ve learned that there’s a whole world of coffee out there beyond the instant coffee I usually opt for, the routine of making myself a good cup has been invaluable to my morning routine.