More often than not, re-imagining or redesigning a room in your home is a process instead of a quickly accomplished project. So it was with my study. What had once been our study became mine after we set up my husband's home office, which you can see in An Elegant Home Office — The Reveal. In some ways his office was easier, beginning as we did with a blank slate.
What Once Was
My study is a good size and has a large double window that faces west. Wonderful light floods the room in three seasons; in summer when the large oak trees shade that portion of the house the light is muted. In my opinion it's a perfect location! There were some things already in the room that I liked and wanted to keep. The most prominent among these were the bookcases we had designed when the house was built. Several years ago we had wooden blinds installed and hung large patterned drapes that perfectly matched the color of the walls at that time. I also retained our original chandelier which you will see in one of the later photos.
First Steps
When we designed the bookcases we had a large desktop PC and printer that sat in the middle section which extended another twelve inches further into the room and could be concealed with cabinet doors. Beneath the space for the PC was a pull-out drawer for a keyboard and a storage cabinet below that. It was very functional for the time, but no longer needed for the laptop I use now. So about ten years ago we had the middle section reduced in depth, installed additional shelves in place of the cabinet setup, and put up crown moulding. At the time the entire bookcase was still painted white to match the doors and trim.
The Concept
The study's style had been traditional with a focus on practical home office requirements that suited both of us. Now that it would primarily be a space for me to use, I wanted to make changes that would be more personal and more closely reflect my interests. I wanted a comfortable space where I could enjoy the things I've collected, that felt modern, clean-lined yet engaging.
In 2021 we painted the walls — including the bookcases — a rich emerald shade that feels enveloping and the ceiling a soft blue, an echo of the drapery colors. By keeping the crown moulding white, it is now emphasized and draws your attention to the ceiling. Afterwards we removed the carpeting and installed hardwood flooring to match the stain used in other areas of the main floor. These choices made a dramatic change in the study. Things were taking shape!
Furniture and Lighting
While those changes were being made, I happily immersed myself in furniture designs and layouts, saving reams of photos, checking out local furniture stores, bookmarking online sources and sending off for catalogs. Then the continuing disruption of supply chains caused by the pandemic threw a wrench into my best-laid plans.
The first casualty was the desk I ordered to replace the one I had loved for nearly 30 years through three houses and an interstate move. It's a beautifully made Federal-style desk (and currently in storage), but I wanted one with sleeker, more contemporary lines. The desk I chose was supposedly in stock in the US, but the already long shipment date was delayed two months, then three, after which the company simply canceled my order.
I ordered the next desk through a different company and was assured a "reasonable" shipment time frame since it would be made in North Carolina. Shipping times again became ridiculously long but finally the desk found its way from NC to Georgia. It arrived damaged. By then that style was no longer being produced.
So . . . I ordered desk #3. When I finally received it, two years had passed since the desk search began!
The two wooden side chairs are part of the set in our dining room,
recovered in a lovely green fabric that better complements the study. We had
purchased the set of ten chairs a number of years ago from a consignment
shop in Roswell. Because ten chairs crowd the dining room, these two stay in
the study, to be used whenever needed elsewhere.
I also wanted a desk lamp that was more than just a functional task lamp and found this one in a local store. It was perfectly sized — and on sale! Its open alabaster ring gives it an airy feel. The brass goes well with the gold curtain rod, so gold and brass became my preferred accent colors.
We had used a small black leather recliner for reading and a typical desk chair that was on its last legs. To replace the recliner I found a club chair with a skirt that counteracts some of the hard lines in the study. I searched for an attractive yet comfortably supportive desk chair without arms that could smoothly slide under the desk. I chose two lovely velvet fabrics in teal and blue that have a wonderful feel to the touch and visually soften the room. The pillows with the fun zebra print were the last items I acquired for the room, bought in spring of this year. I love these!
In place of a small round wood table that held a lamp, a book, a drink and nothing else, I found a lovely chest of drawers on one of my forays to track down errant desks. It's finished in an unusual gray stain that sings against the emerald wall. My fellow tablescapers will understand how delighted I was to finally have readily accessible storage for albums full of table ideas, napkin rings, S/P shakers, and interesting decor items.
I selected an intricately patterned area rug in blue and cream which anchors the space and reflects the blue of the ceiling.
The existing table lamp found new life in the guest room, replaced by this larger brass and marble one which has a similar style and colorway as the desk lamp discussed above.
The original verdigris and brass chandelier, selected years ago, still
harmonizes with the modern redesign where brass and gold accents are
here and there, and shades of green are found.
Incorporating Art
More than anything else, the art you choose says "this is my space", "this is what I find beautiful". Throughout our home we have a variety of original art pieces, most of which we bought directly from the artist, whether paintings, sculptures, ceramics, or drawings. We also unabashedly display prints or reproductions. We don't have a singular artistic style that we seek, but instead buy what we love. My study reflects this approach.
Fostoria 'Plume Feather' glass bookends (1949-1958) that we bought at a vintage glass show are compatible with a modern blown glass vase that holds silk flowers. The flowers are in the same colors as those found in the Renoir print behind it. I purchased the print long ago when I saw the original 1881 oil painting in the Art Institute of Chicago. It has been with me ever since — re-framed once and re-matted twice.
On the desk I placed several of my prized Native American pottery pieces that had been in another room. Other pieces from my collection may be viewed in Setting the Table with Art. Their artistic craftsmanship is inspiring.
Two smaller artworks are hung behind the desk, which enliven the wall otherwise punctuated by three doors. (Please forgive the glare from the windows on both photos.)
The first represents a shoreline on the East Coast. It was created by cutting and positioning paper which had been painted using watercolors. She had then painted additional details on the composition. I bought it from the artist quite some time ago.
The second artwork is an acrylic painting, which I find rather moody and reminds me of some of the flowers I've planted in my garden. Greg and I bought it at an art fair in Atlanta.
In this full view of the bookcases, you can see that my study functions as our library. Though Greg has books in his office and we have some in the bedroom sitting area, the majority are kept here. These are books that are read, not for styling. They're loosely grouped by categories — fiction, biography, history, science, gardening, interior design and tablescaping, art, plays, and social sciences. We have both paperbacks and hardcovers, new titles and old, including an antique from the 1800s. There are decorative items, bookends, photographs, an award. Perhaps not "magazine worthy" but enjoyed nonetheless.
The Result
So that's my redesigned study, a process that took nearly four years from concept to completion. I love the result!
Thank you for visiting!
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