Before & After: Small Spaces: Catch-all room to mod home office

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Upon purchasing her downtown condo, our marketing director, Misty Lister, found it easy enough to designate the extra bedroom as an office. But once boxes were unpacked and her new house had truly become home, spare everything had piled up in the space, making the room far from functional. “My husband, Dean, and I need a home workspace,” says Misty, “and it became vital to get that room organized.” Once they’d discarded an old desk and bulky office chair, the pair set out to find affordable new furnishings that would make the small room workable. But much of what would be practical also proved pricey. Luckily, Dean has a background in design “and also happens to be handy,” says Misty. He built a slim desk from salvaged wood as well as shelving and a multipurpose bench. They then painted one wall a subdued green and used Misty’s collections to give the room a bright, almost bohemian look. The Problems: Though destined to be an office, the room had been used for storage since Misty moved in almost a year ago. At approximately 9 1⁄2 x 11 1⁄2 feet, the space is spare, requiring small furnishings. Plain white paint and blank walls begged to be dressed up with decor that would encourage creativity. Windows were similarly spartan, with one still bare and another covered with a basic shade. A limited budget meant that they needed to get creative with their furnishings. The Solutions: Create a workstation: “I needed a desk that I could work at comfortably—nothing that was just for show,” says Misty. To that end, Dean crafted a long but narrow desk that didn’t take up too much of the room’s width. A sleek Panton chair can tuck easily underneath, freeing up floor space. “I love the chair’s contemporary design. It makes a nice contrast to my vintage maps and cameras,” says Misty. To brighten the room and define the workspace, she and Dean painted the wall “Ivy Lane” green, then applied corkboard above the desk so that they could pin up favorite photos, notes-to-self, and more. Bring in collections: For years, Misty has been collecting old frames and vintage maps (particularly those depicting places she’s visited throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia), and her new office was the perfect place to pair the two collections. “I love to travel, so being surrounded by reminders of my trips helps me find inspiration,” says Misty. Meanwhile, new maps found at Providence Antiques in Atlanta make inexpensive decor when lined up in a woven basket. Be resourceful: To build the desk, Dean used 19th-century wood salvaged from a construction project, cutting costs significantly and complementing the room’s vintage-meets-contemporary feel. A marble slab purchased from a local antiques shop makes a striking tabletop. Think multipurpose: A bench with built-in cubbies provides extra seating but also acts as a mini gallery for the vintage cameras Misty inherited from her great-grandfather. Lockable casters make it easy to move, while a seagrass rug creates a padded surface on top. Misty chose patterned curtains in a neutral hue to complement the bench’s boho appeal. Add shelving: With limited floor space, Dean constructed wall-mounted shelving to house photography and design books, vases, and favorite items such as a postcard Misty brought home from travels abroad and an Aboriginal mask bought in Australia. Woven baskets keep office supplies concealed but within easy reach. Budget Breakdown Storage & seating solutions: • Desk: $90 (marble top); $10 (hardware) • Wall shelving: $90 (wood); $10 (hardware); $10 (stain) • Bench: $90 (wood); $10 (hardware); $10 (stain) • Panton chair: $245 • Globus chair: $248 • Baskets: $10 each Decorative additions: • Curtains and curtain rods: $160 • Seagrass padding for bench: $10 • Bamboo rug: $119 • Maps: $65 • Paint and supplies: $70 Room rehab total: $1,277 Where they shopped: • World Market, Design Within Reach (New York City), Palmetto Moon Antiques, Celadon, Charleston Paint Company, Providence Antiques (Atlanta), and Lowe’s