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Washington DC-area interior decorator Erika Bonnell happily jumped at the challenge of updating and refreshing an at-home office in a Haymarket, Virginia family home.

“It was a typical all-male home office from the 1980’s,” says interior decorator Erika Bonnell, reflecting back on the once gloomy box-of-a-room marring a Washington DC-Area family home.

Greek key nailhead trim adds detail and pattern to the stools, which can be easily pulled into the adjacent family room for seating when needed.

Ottomans:

Bongo Ottoman 9045-00 in Fife Aquawww.leeindustries.com(available to trade only);

Rug: 

Potterybarn.com;

Hide: 

Furrugs.com

before

 The crisp white finish of the cabinetry and the moldings makes the aqua paint pop in the symmetrical home office. 

Bookcase Paint:

Benjamin Moore PM-13 Atrium White

; Inside of Bookcase Paint: 

Benjamin Moore 711 Boca Raton Blue;

Wall Paint:

Benjamin Moore 666 At Sea;

Bookcase:

Custom bookcase by Blue Label Customs –http://bluelabelcustoms.com;

Two Mirrors:

Home Goods;

Chandelier:

Eclipse Chandelier – Brasswww.westelm.com

The space had dirty tan walls, dark wood slatted shades, and heavy masculine furnishings. Though open to an adjacent family room, the home office was infrequently used.

“I wanted to give the space more purpose,” says Bonnell, adding, “I also wanted to create a light and airy room that the family was drawn to and wanted to work in.”

Key to the overall redesign concept was creating a space that was appealing to both husband and wife. Bonnell began by designing a large custom built-in unit against one wall, with separate his-and-her desk areas, as well as with plenty of open bookshelves and closed storage.

Fresh flowers grace the central table in the home office when it’s not being used for work or projects.

Table in center of room

: R. Barbaree Dining Tablewww.tritterfeefer.com(available to trade only) with custom finish

White sculptural bookends pop against the aqua-painted bookshelf backs. On the shelving sits an assortment of decorative objects and practical baskets.

“I anchored that back wall with the built-in. I really liked its sense of symmetry and the balance it gave to the room,” adds Bonnell, who popped in two barely-there Ghost chairs at the respective desktops and also hung double mirrors on each side to reflect light.

The insides of the open shelves were painted a deeper shade of the same fresh-feeling aqua hue that Bonnell picked out for painting the whole room. The darker color showcases displayed items on the shelving better, while contrasting nicely with the walls.

“I wanted to combine one man’s dark and old-fashioned office into a shared bright and cheerful space that you want to enter and work in,” says Bonnell.

Gold cabinetry hardware and office accessories are very now.

Hardware on cabinet: 

Myknobs.com

The curtains add interest and warmth to the windows, with their soft botanical-inspired pattern. They also tie in the room’s colors.

Woven blinds

: Grass Rustica Weathered Timber by Hunter Douglas www.hunterdouglas.com;

Curtain panels

: Custom made panels in Kravet Tousey Pool 516

Ghost chairs were selected for their visual lightness, as well as for their contemporary vibe. 

Ghost Chairs: 

Casper ArmchairLexMod.com; Geometric pillows H & M Home.

“In an office, especially one without a large desk, it’s always hard to know what to do with the center of the room,” says Bonnell. “I decided to create a central focal point with a round table and an interesting light fixture that drops down above it. I wanted the table to be a versatile workspace, with pull-up stools, but also to become an aesthetic element in its own right when arranged with fresh flowers.”

Layering carpets (cowhide on seagrass), and installing woven raffia blinds and beautiful ceiling-to-floor curtains, became the room’s finishing touches.

The family is delighted and happy to clock overtime in their new home office.

INTERIOR DECORATOR: @erikabonnell STYLIST: @charlottesafavi PHOTOGRAPHER: @radifera