TO ANN-MARIE ANTON, PRINCIPAL OF GROSSE POINTE WOODS-BASED IT’S PERSONAL DESIGN, a study/work area can be both beautiful and functional. She describes the evolution of this comfortable work space, from conception to completion.
“Start by creating a list of objectives for your room, what your storage and work space needs are, set your budget, and then create your environment around it in the most way efficient way possible.
“In the home office above, our goal was to create a beautiful yet very functional space. To accomplish this, we created a custom U-shaped desk space that allows the homeowner more counter/work space. We also had a whole wall of custom storage and file cabinets built so they seamlessly flow in the room. We wanted the room, when not in use, to be very clean yet cozy because the room is right off the foyer and the user spends a lot of time there reading. In order to keep the room clear of clutter, we had the custom desk built with the computer on a lift, so when it is not in use it drops below the desktop. The same holds true for the television, which can be hidden in the custom cabinet.
“Although we had a relatively low ceiling height, we wanted to add warmth and interest, so we installed molding with up-lighting that ties into the wall paneling.
“Our overall goal was to create a cohesive, beautiful space that flowed into the rest of the house but still functioned efficiently.”