Shea McGee’s Trick for Faking an Entryway Is Genius

And other design lessons to steal from a 1930s fixer-upper.

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Photography by Callie Hobbs

Shea McGee first met her friend Ashley in college—so when she got the chance to renovate her home all these years later, she jumped at the chance. “It had been through a few bad updates, but it had so much potential,” explains McGee, who runs design firm Studio McGee with her husband, Syd. “We wanted to give every inch a major facelift, all while honoring the charm of the home.” 

Given that the house was built in the 1930s, this was no small feat. Add to that a wish list that ran the gamut from “clean and modern” to “rustic and eclectic” and the fact that it was a tinier space…suffice to say McGee had her work cut out for her.  

STUDIO MCGEE living room
Photography by Callie Hobbs

She made the most of limited square footage by honing in on a few select areas and going all out. “The home might be small, but the design choices are big!” says McGee. Take, for example, the graphic black and white tiles in one bathroom, or the dining room whose geometric light fixture mirrors the square paneling on the walls. What we have here is the chicest hodgepodge of styles we’ve ever seen—here’s how McGee got it done: 

On Choosing the Right Kitchen Storage

The open shelving was all about keeping with the existing color palette: white, green, gray, and wood tones. The emerald cabinets are so stunning that we didn’t want anything to compete with them. Although most of the accessories are new, the vintage painting really pulled everything together and made the shelves feel collected.

STUDIO MCGEE bathroom
Photography by Callie Hobbs

On Faking a Foyer

The square footage of the home didn’t allow for a separate office or entryway, so we carved out space for them in the living room. An entry can be as simple as a console and mirror, but a designated spot really helps welcome people in. The desk placement is great here, because that chair can be turned around and used as additional seating in the living area.

Photography by Callie Hobbs Courtesy of Studio McGee

STUDIO MCGEE dining room
Photography by Callie Hobbs

On Dealing With a Cramped Bedroom

The space is so small that we opted for sconces instead of lamps to allow for more surface to put phones and accessories. When we first started the design process, we pulled a white paint, but it just felt a little too bland for a room that didn’t have the space for a lot of layering (and that’s coming from someone who loves white walls!). We decided to paint them Newburg Green by Benjamin Moore instead, and I’m so glad we did; it really allows the bedding and window casings to pop.

STUDIO MCGEE bedroom
Photography by Callie Hobbs

STUDIO MCGEE dresser
Photography by Callie Hobbs

Keep scrolling to shop our picks of furniture and decor to bring McGee’s farmhouse-fresh look home.

STUDIO MCGEE cozy bath
Photography by Callie Hobbs

STUDIO MCGEE front door
Photography by Callie Hobbs

Industrial Storage Desk

West Elm
$599.0

French Quarter Green

Jolie Paint
$None

Marble And Wood Cheese Board Set

World Market
$25.0

Alto Compass 6u0022 Opal

Cedar u0026 Moss
$499.0

See more homes we love:  From a Fruit Chandelier to Fornasetti, Sierra Tishgart’s Home Has It All Vivid Green Walls Gave This Builder-Grade Apartment a Jolt of Life The Couple Behind Brooklyn’s Insta-Famous Vintage Store Never Stops Decorating

Elly Leavitt

Writer and Editor

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latest cultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.

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