Before and After: This Wasted Space Got a Super Functional Makeover (and a Herringbone Feature Wall)
September is Transformation Month at Apartment Therapy! That means every day, we’re sharing a new before & after to show the power of transformations at home. Head over here to see them all!
Allison Schaeffer and her husband Noel had a large loft area at the top of their stairs that was basically wasted space—but it had serious potential.
Noel works from home a lot and needed room for two computers, as well as a comfortable and serene space that he would enjoy working in. Last December, the couple met with a carpenter to plan a reno that would include the aforementioned office area, plenty of storage, and room to hang out, too.
Offsite, the carpenter and his team constructed built-ins that were made to match the home’s other built-ins for a cohesive and clean look, and installed the project in April. The couple chose to complete the room with a professionally created wow of a herringbone accent wall.
For decor, Allison stuck with a fairly neutral color palette while pulling out colors from a Rugs USA rug in various objects around the room. She loved the rug so much, she even went with a glass-topped Cost Plus World Market table so she wouldn’t cover it up more than she had to. She added frames to the accent wall that she plans to fill with family photos, and used Cosmas hardware on the built-in.
The couple worked on other house projects during the build, so Allison estimates that they spent around $16,000-$17,000 for this particular room, including the build, paint, and decor.
“We love how this project makes our space look larger and seems like it has always been here!” Allison writes. “Building a feature wall with a herringbone design really brought some added interest, and we couldn’t be happier with the result!”
Allison’s advice to anyone about to embark on a renovation is to spend time sitting and walking around the space before committing to a design. She also suggests mapping out the area with painter’s tape so you get a better feel for how it will look once it’s filled with furniture. Smart!
Thank you for sharing, Allison!