Stylish Makeover for a Garage Office in Colorado
A formerly dark man cave in Boulder becomes an office and family media room
This office above a garage in Boulder, Colorado, got a much-needed update for a couple who use the space for their home-based business as app developers. Drew and Shayna Larson called on designer Megan Daughtry to oversee the transformation of the dark room into a light and bright space that now performs double duty as a workspace and a media room for movie nights with their two children. “They wanted to make it usable, comfortable and multifunctional,” Daughtry says.
Before. There were heating and cooling issues in the old office, and the skylights leaked. The black-painted walls evoked a “man cave” vibe, but the dark tone did help Drew when he was testing apps. Plastic bins were used for storage.
“It was awkward. There wasn’t good use of the space,“ Daughtry says. “It was unfortunately designed, and we inherited that.” The construction team updated the electrical panel to accommodate an all-in-one heating and air conditioning unit and added floor outlets. Before, “they had wires going all over the place,” Daughtry says.
“It was awkward. There wasn’t good use of the space,“ Daughtry says. “It was unfortunately designed, and we inherited that.” The construction team updated the electrical panel to accommodate an all-in-one heating and air conditioning unit and added floor outlets. Before, “they had wires going all over the place,” Daughtry says.
After. There’s now plenty of storage in a built-in bench, and attractive display space for Shayna’s art as well as keepsakes like a vintage computer. The couple loves plants, so there’s ample greenery. “We brought some things in from the house to make it feel more welcoming,” Daughtry says. The bamboo floors are original but had areas that needed repair. Woven shades from The Shade Store now darken the windows to make it easier to see the computer screen.
Hanging plant holders: Urban Outfitters
Hanging plant holders: Urban Outfitters
Before. One major fix in the space was to move the bathroom wall, which was angled at 45 degrees. The team straightened it to 90 degrees, which enabled Daughtry to bring in a sectional sofa.
The sectional sofa is upholstered in a tweedy black, white and gray woven microfiber. “They have a large dog, so they wanted something that would hide dirt,” Daughtry says. Some of the pillow covers are from a family friend who collects batiks from around the world. Other pillows and throws are from HomeGoods.
The top of the wood coffee table lifts up and can be pulled toward the sofa to accommodate pizzas during a movie, as well as clients with laptops. The drawer units on rollers hold files, Drew’s comic book collection and supplies like extra pillows and blankets for movie night with the kids. The TV screen is on an arm that can be turned toward the desk or sofa.
Sofa: Henry, West Elm; coffee table: Industrial Storage pop-up coffee table, West Elm
The top of the wood coffee table lifts up and can be pulled toward the sofa to accommodate pizzas during a movie, as well as clients with laptops. The drawer units on rollers hold files, Drew’s comic book collection and supplies like extra pillows and blankets for movie night with the kids. The TV screen is on an arm that can be turned toward the desk or sofa.
Sofa: Henry, West Elm; coffee table: Industrial Storage pop-up coffee table, West Elm
This unique pendant light is made of a maple wood veneer folded around a bulb. It replaced a ceiling fan, which was no longer needed with the addition of an air conditioner. The fixture is one of three light sources in the space, along with existing can lights and task lighting.
Pendant light: Nut suspension light, Y Lighting; find modern pendant lights
Pendant light: Nut suspension light, Y Lighting; find modern pendant lights
Here’s a closeup of one of the copper tab pulls on the custom wood drawers — a finishing touch for the new space.
More
9 Most Popular New Spaces for Getting Your Work Done
Create a Home Office That Works for You
More
9 Most Popular New Spaces for Getting Your Work Done
Create a Home Office That Works for You
Home Office at a Glance
Who uses it: Drew and Shayna Larson and their two children
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Size: About 300 square feet (29 square meters)
Designer: Megan Daughtry of Second Nature Interiors
There are beautiful backyard views from the office above the garage, which was built in 2006 in back of the family’s 1912 home in an older section of Boulder. White paint, custom wood furniture and an injection of light, bright and fun furnishings make the newly designed office more welcoming. Contractor Max Nuttelman built the desk, storage cabinets and floating shelves using metal tripod legs and brackets ordered online. Shayna, who is an artist, painted the watercolors.
Chair: All Modern; browse rolling office chairs