Yes, I know you thought I was doing my bathroom…
but the plumber was cautiously, assiduously, slowly moving my shower pipes
and I didn’t want to lose my little crew so we started in on my husband’s study….
We’ve lived here for 18 years, but there’s something about being an empty nester
that just lights a fire under you. Plus, my husband was going out of town for a week.
Drum roll. I’m sure you know the feeling….
You can see here how dramatically the roof cascades from a lofty 10 feet height
to 6 feet, with 7 additional feet of storage space beyond the wall. (You can also see
me ruminating on a chandelier for the space!). One has to hunch over to drag out
boxes out of the storage space so they tend to be forgotten in the furthest reaches…
My husband loved his desk but was resigned to give it up…at 80″ X 42″ it took
up alot of space on the floor. We discussed selling it or cutting it down to size,
perhaps with a drawer front. I wanted to make it easier for him to utilize the
storage space and considered ordering a bank of cabinets to back their 24″ depth
into the wall. In the end it just seemed easier, and less expensive, to keep the
desk and create a niche from the storage area, with deep shelves on either side…
I had them add 4 plugs on each side and 2 recessed lights on dimmer…
The wood floors needs to be extended…I still have lots of painting to
do on shelves but am waiting for my husband to return to cast his vote on
whether to go dark or light in the niche…
I had a small sample pot of Farrow and Ball’s Charleston Gray….
and though this a second story, tree shrouded back room…
the dark, muddy gray just worked perfectly. I spent the day triple coating
the room…with a crisp Benjamin Moore White Diamond on
the trim…
My husband’s grandfather’s golf clubs in a vintage metal ice cream
container. Still lots to do before it’s certifiably handsome…
but it’s coming along. Cherry wood is usually not my thing
but it looks gorgeous with the Charleston Gray walls…
to be continued….
Have a wonderful Sunday…enjoy your extra hour!
I am stunned–the nook is really cozy and a wonderful “private space”–I think that he’ll love it. Plus, he gets to keep the desk.
I’m anxiously awaiting the next set of photos with updates. Thanks for sharing.
Love the Charleston Grey with the striped upholstery, and the fact that you were able to design a space for the desk. It’s a shame to loose favorite pieces of furniture.
How clever to use that low ceiling part of the room as a desk recess, Trish, it will look wonderful when you get the cherry boards extended. The walls look great too, I’ve long been convinced that if a room is naturally dark, you have to go with dark colours, the result is chic and comforting. I tried doing light walls in a dark room and it just felt sad.
Hope you’ll show us the grand finale!
Sharon
Very good tip about painting dark rooms dark. Will definitely show you the finale…even if I have to un-decorate a few of my husband’s additions!
Like your changes. Look forward to seeing all the finishing touches. Color is very interesting. Thanks for specific paint colors that you used and why.
Hi Trish,
I have knee walls as well upstairs and have thought about doing the same thing! I can’t wait to see the final result!
Nancy
So that’s what they’re called! Thanks Nancy!
Love how you worked the desk into the niche and really making it belong there by adding shelves, plugs, and recessed lighting!
A friend of ours has always had a “closfice” – that is the name he gave it when he also had to move his desk to the closet. A “closfice” – a little bit office and little bit desk. Knowing you the room will be outstanding and I can’t wait for the final photos.
the desk is a perfect fit in the recess! and I love the Charlton Grey walls, I bet you are VERY excited about the way this room is taking shape. Please share the end result with us? have a lovely week hugs Colette
Can’t wait to see your progress.
I was in Restoration Hardware the other day, I am loving that gray color on their walls!
My den is in major need of a makesover!
I think it has been around 19 yrs and two children and a dog later…..
Time to make the room grow up!
L.
I think this turnabout is going to be luscious. After completing this gift of love…treats for Madame Trouvais are in order. Maybe a spa day or at least some happy time at Ebay!
Nice save on the desk! And I like that funny bare lampshade light.
I love it too…had hoped to roughly stitch some hemp/linen fabric on it but ran out of time. Not to be compulsive (!) but I might have the guys move it a few inches up the ceiling. I collected alot of old lampshades a few years ago for a buck or two each. The good ones might have ugly fabric on them, but if they are metal they can be stripped and make good fixtures, or baskets (add chicken wire).
Perfect, perfect. I love the color, chairs, clubs, and the desk inside the nook. And to think I thought the room should be left a light color. So glad you didn’t listen to me!
Hi Mary. Serendipity that I had that paint sample pot on hand from a year ago. I was wondering what the big deal was with F & B paints, the color was too dark for everywhere else. Sick of the tan color that had been there for 18 years. Wanted a dramatic difference. All your other advice has been completely taken to heart!
That is such good use for the space. I have many like that in this old house. You are inspiring me to do something with them. My storage is unaccessable and largely forgotten. Great colour and YES dark room, dark colour.
Love the idea of the niche….adore that Charleston gray color! Thanks for sharing the process….it will be fabulous when its done!….Oh, and Grandfather’s golf clubs in the metal ice cream container….very cool!
Trish, you did the perfect thing with his desk, it looks fab & functional. The colors you choose are beautiful, I have a love affair with gray/silvers and know how beautifully it will all come together. Wish I were closer so I could meet you, you’re truly amazing. xx’s
Why did you choose not to paint the angled ceiling
over the desk in Charleston Gray..? Would that
require your painting the entire ceiling in CG.?
Not a bad idea that.
Hi Beansie. I could go up another 32″…there is a shift in the angle of ceiling so I could stop there. I’ll have to think about that. Hmmm. Thanks for your advice. It looks awfully pretty to me right now, though.
Hello everyone…thanks for all your great comments. Had a killer migraine this morning after my marathon painting and arranging day. Good news is my husband loves his new space. Bad news is he has started to “decorate it”. He wants to go light in his desk niche, and based on how I feel when I can barely see when I go into our Restoration Hardware store, it would be better for desk work if it was lighter. The media closet and a tall bookcase cabinet are dark though, will show you that soon. Like the ceiling light and trim bright white. The contrast really emphasizes how pretty the Charleston Gray is.
Love, love the Charleston Gray walls. Just the right depth. The niche for the desk is going to be perfect. Can’t wait to see it all finished. You always have great vision. What ever happened with the curb on your shower?
Hi Mona. We redid the curb…3″ across before clad with tile, 3 ” up from un-tiled floor. Fairly minimal. Glad to have the reprieve from the bathroom to rethink. Will be switching out smaller Carrara subways for bigger. Will still be using mosaic. Fell absolutely in love with my friend’s guest bathroom and trying to recreate the magic! With kids in college…I’ve just moved down the hall while I’m plotting phase II!
Will you paint the niche a different color than the room? My husband’s desk sits in a similar space and I told him the niche had to be the same color as the room, Dunn Edward’s “Inside Passage” maybe I should do something more dramatic. I’ll watch with eager anticipation your (and hubby’s) final paid selection for the niche.
Thanks,
Karen
Hi Karen. My husband declared recently “I don’t like change”…so you know what I’m dealing with. He loves the room color…but would like it lighter in the desk niche. Will post some gorgeous inspiration shots from Jean-Loup Daraux’s book: “By the Light of the Sea” soon. Lots of beautiful, sometimes dramatic neutrals…bit more masculine than my usual fare!
So fun to just sit back and watch you work your magic…
~jermaine
And to think I had once contemplated a leisurely “girl’s week” with my husband out of town!
Your room is coming together beautifully. I love the idea of incorporating the desk in the storage place. I have been wanting to do that too so I am anxious to see how your room evolves. Love your color choices. I look forward to seeing the project finished and seeing your husband’s final reaction. Thanks for the inspiration.
I am very impressed, I must say! Your energy and enthusiasm for painting is admirable. And the Charleston Gray is perfecto! I think your whole house must be close to perfect. I am serious.
Might you be available for hire in the midwest? 😉
-Ann
See…now that’s the pressure blogging places on you! I told my husband our house needs to live up to my blog. Isn’t it lovely that you can direct your camera to ignore the desperate areas and focus only on pretty or (pretty good)?).
Great idea for the niche in that room but is the ceiling height right there going to be high enough for your husband when sitting in a chair? Love the color you painted in the room, perfect with your striped chairs!
Definitely! (He’s only over 6 ft when he stands up!) He loves it!
I just measured…I’m 5’9″ tall…19 inches when I’m sitting at desk to ceiling. So he has 14″ of clearance.
No bare bulbs please, may be trendy right now, but its just unattractive (not to mention the glare)
Love how your room is coming together. Great idea for the desk and love the golf clubs in the milk can.
Hi Trish, still smiling, about the leisure girls week when hubby is out of town.I am thinking of getting a dumpster on his next heli ski trip out!!! Great use of available space for the beautiful desk, glad you are using it. Nella