A Forgotten 1930s Craftsman Guest Room Became the Most Useful Space in the House

What was previously an “underutilized” guest bedroom in a 1930s Craftsman-style bungalow in Austin, Texas, now does it all — part office, part lounge, and part sleep space, explains designer Alicia Roche. Her firm was brought in to transform a ho-hum guest space into a powerhouse of a bonus room, and she did it through the use of pops of pattern and color, an epic multifunctional built-in, and smart but stylish furniture selections. 

Primarily serving as Roche’s client’s “dream office,” the space is rooted in color and pattern aplenty. The built-ins and wainscoting are coated in Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink (No. 295), while Golden Lily wallpaper from House of Hackney’s collaboration with Morris & Co. energizes the walls. To offset these statement features, Roche thoughtfully wove in simpler elements including new white oak flooring, a neutral rug, and aged-brass hardware and striped Pooky sconces. All the while, Roche adds, “tall windows overlooking the surrounding greenery bring in abundant natural light and provide a calming contrast to the colorful interior.” 

Because her client also needed a bed-like setup to accommodate overnight in-law visits, Roche brought in a sleeper sofa from American Leather. Why a sofa, specifically? “We faced the classic sleeper sofa versus Murphy bed debate, but the room simply wasn’t large enough to accommodate a dedicated workstation alongside a traditional queen or king size bed,” the designer says. “Ultimately, the sleeper sofa allowed us to prioritize a custom wall-to-wall built-in desk with symmetrical bookshelves — a true architectural moment that would serve my client every day.” Bonus: The sofa also doubles as a plush perch for Roche’s client when she catches up on emails — or an episode of Love Island! 

Samsung’s The Frame TV (not pictured) stands on a handmade white oak easel in the room, which can be moved around the space as needed for ultimate flexibility. A vintage mirror hangs above the sofa, introducing even more character into the sweet setup. Roche scored it while shopping at the Marburger Farm Antiques Show in nearby Round Top, Texas.

An added benefit of the built-in desk and bookshelf combo? “It gives her a dedicated workspace and ample open shelving to display her books, incredible comic book collection, and beautiful objects gathered throughout her life and travels — pieces that had never had a proper place of their own,” Roche says.

The inside of the desk drawers and cabinets provide strategic storage, too. “We added an outlet inside the cabinetry for the large printer, making it easy to use while keeping both it and its cords tucked neatly out of sight,” the designer notes. “Otherwise, that bulky printer would have ended up at my client’s feet, taking over the legroom beneath our beautifully designed new desk!” 

Although much more subdued in nature, the coffee table in the room has a personal story behind it on Roche’s end. Roche’s husband, the founder of custom furniture studio Gaelic & Grain in Austin, custom-made it for the client. “The design is beautifully simple and rooted in tradition, while the white oak gives it a luxurious feel,” Roche says. “It’s truly a work of art!” 

Now the client couldn’t be happier with the space. Not only does she have a place to relax and unwind, but she also has a hard-working home office that moonlights as a guest room. And the best part of all? It reflects her style and love of florals.