OH HOW I have been waiting to share this BEFORE and AFTER with you!!! I originally visited this office in September 2021 and FINALLY today I get to share the photos we took a few weeks ago after I made the final styling touches to the bookshelves.
The House
You may recall a bathroom we remodeled a few years ago where the owner and her husband bought her childhood home from her mom and was redoing it one room at a time. We started with the first floor bathroom that was a bright coral with a custom textured wall (here). Remember?! Well, next up is the home office. Let’s check it out!
Before
Oh yes. Wasn’t it a gem! We had planned to do the primary bathroom and bedroom suite first. But, because of the increase in working from home, being in this room constantly with zoom meetings and all, the office was moved up the priority ladder and we can’t be more pleased with the results!
After
Welcome to the new home office! Located right off the foyer, this office was transformed from an 80’s maroon, green and blue plaid with maple wood, to a rich, sophisticated room of TODAY! We had our fabulous cabinet maker retro fit new doors to the lower cabinets and add hidden door hinges. We found contemporary brushed brass knobs (similar or similar) and then had all the woodwork and walls painted in Benjamin Moore French Beret.
An all dark room can feel cavernous. To alleviate this feeling, we painted the ceilings a white and added soft neutrals everywhere else. Linen shades (in fabric Somerset Alabaster SW161) from a great online store called Justblinds.com that were a fraction of the price a local big-name window shades company charges. We added a light cowhide-covered footstool and a lamp from West Elm that has an oversized linen shade. I always love an oversized drum shade!
Bookshelves
We used as many of the homeowners previous memorabilia, trinkets and books to fill the many many shelves in this space. They had some amazing vintage books from a relative and then we supplemented with faux plants, bobbles, and sculptures from Home Goods and City Home PDX along with storage boxes from the Bigso line at The Container Store.
The Desk
As often as possible, I try to use as much of a client’s existing furnishings when it works for the design plan. We were able to reused the owner’s desk which brings a warmth to the space and coordinates nicely with the legs of the stool and the leather chair we found at Wayfair. The desk chair was purchased online from Pottery Barn and the sideboard/storage unit was from City Home, a local home store!
Tip: Always open your deliveries, inspect and test them out right when they arrive. Sometimes there are restrictions on returns.
Lighting
Lastly, what a chandelier!!! We loooove the new modern spudnik designs but didn’t love the atrocious prices! Originally we found a reasonably priced one on Amazon (OK, let’s be honest…it was downright cheep! LOL!) that looked great but when the electrician went to install it, … well,… let’s just say there were a few swear words spewing from his mouth. “Made in China” “Nothing lines up” etc. etc. He installed it anyway but my client found this one and installed it himself.
So, what do you think? I can tell you that I am so in love with the balance of dark and light. Great contrast but still in a soft, natural way. Textured linen, fibrous baskets, with cowhide details. This space has such a nice warm and inviting feel. Don’t you think the homeowner’s employer should pay for the remodel, because who wouldn’t want to work all day long in a lovely office like this?!
xo, melis
Product List:
- Floor Lamp: West Elm
- Chandelier: Lamps Plus Spudnik Light
- Leather Chair: Wayfair
- Foot stool: One Kings Lane
- Beverage table: West Elm in Walnut
- Desk Chair: Pottery Barn in Performance Fabric, color: Oatmeal
- Roman Shades: Justblinds.com Fabric: Somerset Alabaster SW161
- Sideboard: CityhomePDX (similar)
- Paint: BM French Beret
Melissa K Manos Designs 