Thursday, May 5, 2011

Family office

At the top of my clients' staircase...
There was this large empty space. It was my job to figure out what type of space would give this family of five great utility, be very practical, get daily use and look fabulous.
The answer? A family office. With three children in the home they needed a space where laptops could be kept, where homework could be done, where books could be stored and where family members would want to hang out. Since this room is located at the top of the landing, no one feels isolated in another room, everyone wants to spend time there! (The father has his own office and we are currently designing the mother's private space.) 

The custom cabinetry keeps the space looking organized. The window seats have become a spot where the mother often sees her children lounging and reading! Under the window seats we created a storage space to stow away gift wrapping supplies. Just in case rain comes as a surprise and the windows are up, we used a Kravet indoor/outdoor textile. All details were considered!
This once "hallway landing" has become a room in the home. I like seeing spaces used and not just viewed. You too? Once the round table and lucite chairs are installed and the space is professionally photographed I will be certain to share images. 

21 comments:

The Buzz Blog said...

What an ingenious way to use space and bring a family together! Love the wood work and reading bench.
xxoo

Anonymous said...

LOVE this! It so perfect, you are a genius. I can totally see kids playing board games there sprawled across the carpet and the built in cabinetry is so perfect to store games, blankets... whatever. Your client must love it! xo

Unknown said...

i ALWAYS wanted bench seating under a window!!! - that's all i wanted as a little girl

Unknown said...

Brilliant use of space!!!!!

OK....NEED your eye on my staircase next week! Lots of blank space, not sure what to do. I know you will! :)
xoxo

Barbara@HausDesign said...

Beautiful job - well done! It is such a welcoming space to greet them when they come up the stairs - very nice.

Stevie said...

It is an elegant solution to what appears to me to be an awkward space to begin with. I wish that I had room in my apratment for something similar.

red ticking said...

looks fantastic!!! landings are so hard to figure out... xoxo

Ever - The red house by the lake said...

That bench is great! I would love to have such a space, right under a window.

I agree with you that spaces are best if they are used for something. This house has two rooms that we find it hard to use (an upstairs hall without windows and an indoor balcony) and it bugs me that I can not find a good use for them.

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Oh, it looks so much better already. What a fabulous use of space. Want to come design my home....I am so busy I am losing steam before I've even started. Lucky clients you have.

Silvia C said...

Fabulous use of space. The bench is beautiful.

Jennifer and Austin said...

What a great use of otherwise dead space. Just one thought: As we have just built the exact same shape built-in banquet seat in our sunroom, we realized that a round table doesn't work as well with an L-shaped bench seat...You only get two good seating spots at the table. We opted for a 42" square table, that way two people can seat comfortably on each side, plus any pull-up chairs. You may not have the need to accommodate as many people in the above scenario, but we just wanted to share :)

Erin said...

Great use of space & I looove the organization factor! Looks nice!

designchic said...

What a wonderful use of this space...love nothing more than curling up in a window seat with my favorite book...heaven!!

Anonymous said...

Beautifully done!

Hamptontoes said...

Thanks for all of your comments!

Jennifer and Austin,
Your thoughts are right on the money and we did give thought to what you mentioned. However, we are placing the table more in the middle of the rug so that we have two distinct seating areas and for easy navigating around the room. The space looks great and will really reach its peak of utility once the table arrives.

Unknown said...

Brilliant...love it now, and really can't wait to see the finished project!

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

I'm pretty much satisfied with the post here! Anything else will be cake and icing and I can't wait to see that little slice of heaven :) XO, Kelly

quintessence said...

Love this space. I've always loved landings - and you made wonderful use of this one. I'm sure it will become a welcome hang out for all!!

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

Great job! It's now a wonderful use of space. I love the attention to detail you paid, by using the indoor/outdoor textiles! Great idea. :)

Party Resources said...

Brilliant! I just love it! xx

Unknown said...

Nice job. A great use of the space and beautiful as well!