Working the Closet

There are so few design mags these days, I've even taken to reading the country-style ones (not usually my look). While flipping through the March Country Home, I came across this absolutely darling "closet office." I'm smitten! Robin's egg blue, peonies, and a dab of a chandelier make an adorable office space. And made me wonder:  what other closet inspiration is out there? Answer:  plenty!

Birds do it, bees do it, even big time designers do it! Here's Charlotte Moss, turning a 

little closet into BIG time style. This space is like working in Morocco - without that brutal 

10-hour commute on your private jet.

A closet make-over is easy - at least according to Lowe's, where the motto is "You Can Do It. We Can Help." Here, the Lowe's model home office. I think a key feature to notice here (and in all good design) is LIGHT. If you go to all the trouble to renovate and decorate a former "dark spot" in your home - and then fail to light it properly, it will remain just as unused as before. You must fill it with light if you expect to use it.

The key to all of these looks is color:  lots of it, and in generally light shades. That's because - you 

guessed it - nobody wants to work in a dark hole! Notice that the owner slipped

in a parsons desk. Quality furnishings such as the bamboo chair ensure this space doesn't feel like 

an afterthought. 

Here's a charming example of incorporating former storage space seamlessly into a room. Removing 

doors and adding curtains makes it feel like a recess or niche, not former storage. The "yellow neutral"

palette is sophisticated and soothing at the same time (side note:  it would look even better without

that 70s era bedding beside it!).

This room combines a sophisticated mix of color and space. The swiveling chair turns a small corner into 

a full office:  one half desk, one half meeting table. This would be a marvelous set-up in a multi-function

guest room. And don't miss that disco ball!

Ready to try this at home? Here are some great - and affordable - design resources. 

Furniture, rug, pendant lamp, laquer and stone desk sets, all West Elm. Pencil cups, flower

file folders, See Jane Work. Rainbow paper boxes, message board, The Container Store.

Image Sources:  robin's egg office, Charlotte Moss office via fab blog Cote de Texas, Lowe's office, Parson's office, Yellow bedroom office, Pink and grey office.