It was arduous to find space for sleeping, reading, sewing, writing, painting and sitting - all within a 168 square foot room. Success depended on creative use of every nook and savvy space planning. There were two closets, so one was repurposed into a small office area. The mesh bins are used for storing sewing materials or other craft supplies.

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

Jim Bartsch
Mountain style kitchen photo in Santa Barbara with dark wood cabinets, green backsplash, stainless steel appliances and slate backsplash

Art and Craft Studio and Laundry Room Remodel
Craft room - large transitional built-in desk porcelain tile, black floor and wall paneling craft room idea in Atlanta with white walls

Home office - traditional home office idea in New York

The wall of maple cabinet storage is from Wellborn, New Haven style in Bleu finish. Each grandchild gets their own section of storage. The bench seating (with more storage below!) has a Formica Flax Gauze top in Glacier Java. It also serves as a sep for smaller children to reach the upper storage shelves. The festive red and white stripe pendant lights Giclee Pattern style #H1110. Photo by Toby Weiss

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and brown floor walk-in closet remodel in New York with flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Dawn Smith Photography
Example of a huge urban freestanding desk carpeted and beige floor home studio design in Cincinnati with black walls

Art and Craft Studio and Laundry Room Remodel
Large transitional built-in desk porcelain tile, black floor and wall paneling craft room photo in Atlanta with white walls

Robert Whitworth Creative
Trendy carpeted craft room photo in San Francisco with white walls

The 2 art studios in this Creve Coeur, MO finished basement are accessed by a large hall, which houses a deep, stainless steel sink operated by foot pedals, which comes in handy for greasy, sticky or paint-smeared hands of all ages. To the right is the arts and crafts studio for grandchildren. To the left is the gift wrapping room that also serves as a creative studio for the grandparents. Photo by Toby Weiss

Josh Yamamoto
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary freestanding desk ceramic tile craft room remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls

Scott Amundson Photography
Elegant built-in desk beige floor craft room photo in Minneapolis with gray walls

Garden shed - mid-sized traditional detached garden shed idea in Other

Our client needed her own space to create her art. This beautiful "she-shed" has made quite a lovely crafts studio! This particular she-shed of ours was also featured on the cover of a book, "She-Sheds: A Room of Your Own, by Erika Kotite!

Teness Herman Photography
Home studio - huge industrial freestanding desk concrete floor home studio idea in Portland with white walls

Teness Herman Photography
Huge urban freestanding desk concrete floor home studio photo in Portland with white walls

Studio / workshop shed - mid-sized eclectic detached studio / workshop shed idea in Charlotte

Teness Herman Photography
Inspiration for a huge industrial freestanding desk concrete floor home studio remodel in Portland with white walls