Since I first read Virginia Woolf’s renowned essay
A Space of Her Own
I view a woman’s right to her personal space as both sacred and crucial. At my present home in Los Angeles, my office also serves as the guest bedroom. While we occasionally welcome visiting friends from out of town, this room primarily functions as my haven for writing and unwinding. However, the inconvenient layout favored accommodating guests more effectively than serving me as a functional workspace.
In the center of the small chamber stood my grandfather’s mahogany sleigh bed protruding prominently, while heavy pieces of furniture crowded the perimeters. The desk chair proved uncomfortable too, thus I seldom used the desk itself; rather, I preferred lounging in the rose-colored velveteen armchair tucked away in an angle of the room. Desiring a fresh layout for better functionality, I sought guidance from two experienced interior decorators to assist in redesigning this area.
Reorganize the furniture according to its intended use.
The initial assignment involved tackling the issue posed by the large bed. “Consider treating the bed as less prominent and turn it so that it runs parallel to the wall—almost resembling a huge daybed,” suggested.
Bethany Adams
An interior designer located in Louisville, Kentucky. To complete the aesthetic, Adams recommended placing oversized decorative cushions near the wall, emphasizing that her general guideline is to use larger pillows sparingly. Additionally, she proposed replacing the existing busy floral comforter with a more uniform solid-colored one.
Adams proposed an innovative idea: moving the dresser inside the closet and completely removing the bookshelf, opting instead for a lightweight and open shelving unit affixed to the wall. Additionally, she suggested purchasing elongated curtains and arranging them such that they graze only the edges of the window frame. She assured me that implementing these alterations would create the illusion of significantly more space in the room without even rearranging any pieces of furniture, promising it would make everything appear 100% bigger.
Leave room for creativity.
I likewise sought advice from Jean Liu, who is the lead designer and founder.
Jean Liu Design
In Dallas, someone addressed my desk issue by offering two creative solutions that I found quite clever. Her first suggestion was to position the desk centrally under the window rather than beside the bedside table. She explained, “Having two similarly tall items made from the same material placed side-by-side can feel cluttered.” Instead, she proposed enjoying the view and making use of abundant natural light when sitting at your desk.
Secondly, Liu suggested replacing my wooden chair with an upholstered one to provide a contrasting element to the desk. He noted, “Functionally speaking, an upholstered seat might offer greater comfort during long periods of sitting.”
The last part of the transformation focused on the artwork and decorative items. I prepared myself for her ideas because I realized my walls seemed disorganized and crowded. However, Liu’s proposal respected my individual taste while enhancing the overall look. She proposed, “These pieces would have more impact if they were rearranged into a gallery-style display above and along the length of your bed rather than being placed separately on the opposing wall in an uneven arrangement.”
Farewell, chaotic wall, and welcome to purposeful arrangement! To complete the transformation into a more vibrant and spacious area, both decorators suggested removing the photographs and knick-knacks from my surfaces.
I was eager to head to my workplace. Following Adam’s advice, I swapped out the bulky, lower-set drapes and dark timber poles for more lightweight options.
linen blackout curtains
and elegant
embroidered sheers
hung on gorgeous
brass curtain rods
, all from
Anthropologie
My favorite choice for everything related to home decoration. They helped open up my room, making the space feel more light and airy.
Next, following Liu’s suggestion, I positioned the desk in front of the window and swapped out my old chair for an extremely comfortable one.
modern desk chair
– in soft pink. From this snug vantage point overlooking blooming Jacaranda trees, I am writing to you now.
It turns out, the dresser was
did
fit perfectly into the closet (thanks, Bethany!)
,
And I wasn’t overly saddened when the bookshelf, along with some of the books, was donated. I came across a lightweight and spacious wall-mounted option.
etagere
At Lowe’s, another suggestion from Adams, it now stores many of my cherished knick-knacks and books, helping to minimize the mess on my desk.
For the new bedding that Adams recommended, I chose something soft.
bamboo sheets
In a charming cream color. And I couldn’t help but be drawn to it.
Bubble Cuddle Blanket
As an accent thrown, and the corresponding match.
Bubble Cuddle Pillows
, everything from Cozy Earth. For the remaining large pillows, I acquired two linen items.
euro-size pillows
from
Crate & Barrel
and a
velvet lumbar pillow
from
West Elm
.
In an effort to brighten up the atmosphere, I ultimately opted for a new rug because I felt mine was too dark for the space, selecting instead this vibrant option.
Rifle Paper Co.
to replace it.
Winado Modern Rotating Office Chair
Lowe’s
$128
Buy Now
Kate and Laurel Gold Metal Rectangular Wall-Mounted Shelving
Lowe’s
$151
Buy Now
Premium Fuzzy Velour Extra-Large Lumbar Pillow Case
West Elm
$69
Buy Now
Rosa Power Loomed Rug
Rifle Paper Co.
$150 (was $250)
Buy Now
My outdated, confined space has transformed dramatically. Each morning, I enter feeling like everything is fresh and promising. The lack of clutter allows me to concentrate far better than before. Through minor yet impactful upgrades and perhaps just a touch of enchantment, this area evolved from an aesthetic challenge into my most cherished spot at home. It’s astonishing how freeing and energizing these modifications can feel.
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