For those of you who follow along on Instagram, you know this guest bedroom/office project has been a long time coming—we started it all the way back in April 2024! Our own home projects take a back seat to client work, but we truly enjoy tackling them when time allows. Having a solid design plan in place always helps—it makes it easier to chip away at things when life gets busy.
Here’s a glimpse at where we started…
Before
And here’s where we ended up!
After
Photo by: Margaret Rajic
The Vision & First Steps
With three kids, a dog, and an ever-revolving door of visitors, our home needs to be as functional as possible and our fourth bedroom wasn’t quite pulling its weight. We needed this space to serve two purposes—a spot for guests to stay and a practical workspace for everyday use.
The first order of business? Rethinking the closet. We completely cleared it out and decided to transform it into a built-in desk nook. To add character, we had beadboard installed on the back wall (this we hired out), then also had it spray-painted for a smooth finish. We chose a warm, medium-toned stain (Special Walnut) for both the upper shelf and desk surface, adding depth and warmth to the space.
Closet Before & Progress Photos:
Next up: wallpaper and trim! We installed a soft floral green wallpaper—Nocturne by Boråstapeter—that instantly set the tone for the room. We ended up needing about 6 rolls for this roughly 11×12′ room. Since the print plays a central role in the patterns of this room, I wanted to balance it with a neutral, natural fiber rug (a sisal, in this case). For natural fiber rugs, I prefer sisal over jute because this has a great backing for stability and doesn’t shed as much. We also added crown moulding and painted all the trim in Farrow & Ball French Gray, a muted, earthy green that plays beautifully with the wallpaper.
Photo by Margaret Rajic
Layering Textures & Adding Cozy Details
I love layering color and pattern, and this room is no exception. The gingham pillows from Stoffer Home bring in a charming mix of blues, which complement the green walls. To keep things feeling soft and relaxed, we removed the blinds and went with oatmeal-colored linen curtains (memory-trained and pinch-pleated at 84”)—the right length for these lower, cozy 7.5’ ceilings. Because the window ends right in line with the wall in the corner, I specifically selected French Return curtain rod over a standard rod with finials, so that I could accommodate this.
Photo by: Margaret Rajic
The bed, from Room & Board, is upholstered in a neutral oatmeal fabric, adding another layer of texture in the space. There’s just something about a fabric headboard — they’re very comfortable to lean up against at night! The dresser is an antique we’ve owned for years and it’s just enough space for guests to use as needed.
Photo by: Maragaret Rajic
As far as artwork goes, the gallery wall above the dresser is a collection of vintage pieces that I’ve gathered over time. I really love vintage prints and original oil paintings, so I find myself gravitating to those when I search for artwork—for myself and clients. However, the landscape print above the bed is a religious print (the Holy Family on the Flight to Egypt) from Etsy and was only about $20. I can’t say enough good things about the quality of this print and this particular vendor who shipped it quickly! I had it framed with a local framer in museum-quality glass. Aside from this, I also have my favorite quote from Mother Teresa framed on the nightstand, her “Do It Anyway” poem. It’s a well known poem and a favorite of mine, as it was this quote that prompted me to begin this company with Halley six years ago.
Bringing in Vintage Charm
In the end, it’s the accents and details that really bring a space to life. Swapping out the center light fixture for a vintage-inspired one was a small but impactful change. And I love to add a sense of life with plants. I seem to come home with a new indoor plant quite frequently, so you’ll find them all over my house. I’ve been collecting antique crocks and they’ve become my new go-to for housing these potted plants. The mix of aged ceramics with fresh greenery brings so much life to the space.
All the final pieces of this room came together this past January—almost 9 months later from when we started—but it is exactly what I hoped it would be: a functional and cozy space where I can work during the day and where guests can stay comfortably when they visit.
It may have taken a while to complete, but it was absolutely worth the wait!
Photo by: Margaret Rajic
SOURCES
Wallpaper, Nocturne by Borastapeter, Wallpaper Direct
Avery 48″ Bedframe, Room and Board
Holy Family Rest On the Flight Into Egypt by Claude Lorrain —this Etsy vendor produces excellent quality prints for a great price; the frame I had made custom from a local frame shop
Madonna of the Chair Print (Vintage): Similar here
Flax Linen Pinch-Pleat Curtains (84″), Amazon (Color: Burlywood Birch)
French Return Rod, Ballard Designs
Lamps Studio McGee Target Collection
Semi-Flush Light Fixture, Hudson Valley Lighting
Woven Scalloped Floral Basket, Magnolia Home
Wall Mirror, Vintage
Sateen Quilt Bedspread, West Elm (White)
Velvet Blue Oversized Lumbar: West Elm
Nightstands: Wayfair (Painted SW Iron Ore)
Linen Pin Board: Pottery Barn (Size: 36×24)
ACCESSORIES
Magnifying Glass, Magnolia Home
Mother Theresa Quote Frame, Stoffer Home
