B&A: Eclectic Work-From-Home Office with a Ton of Storage
BEFORE & AFTER
VIA WHISK AND KEY
First time ORCer Mary (@whiskandkeyhome) tackled a very familiar problem during the spring ‘24 event—an uninspiring home office gathering clutter due to lack of storage space. The home office is primarily used by her partner Andrew, who works from home. Mary set out to turn the room where Andrew spends most of his time into a functional, appealing space he could enjoy.
VIA WHISK AND KEY
Mary, a former This Old House apprentice & frame-to-finish carpenter, did not mess around on the “add built-in storage” part of her agenda. She created two sets of built-ins on opposite walls, using unfinished RTA cabinets as the base, and then building the shelves herself and adding trim to get the perfect custom look. You can read her write up of her built-in process here, it’s an amazing resource for anyone interested in incorporating RTA cabinets into a larger built-in.
According to Mary, the investment she's put into her tool collection over the years was incredibly helpful in keeping the project cost low.
VIA WHISK AND KEY
Andrew only had three specific requests for the office project, one of which was that Mary incorporate the gorgeous pair of antique stained glass windows he had snagged on Facebook Marketplace. They fit perfectly in the windows that flank the desk, and only needed to be trimmed down a hair to accommodate for potential expansion during warmer months.
The large piece of tempered glass was another FB Marketplace find, which he requested be incorporated in her design plan as a dry erase board.
His third request was for space for his ceramicist mom’s amazing work, which is now proudly displayed throughout the bookshelves.
VIA WHISK AND KEY
Andrew isn’t the only one who spends most of his time in this room—Otto, their elderly bearded dragon, is the other inhabitant Mary had to consider. She custom built a bench for his tank, which has storage for his supplies plus an excellent view with plenty of sun for him. Otto seems thrilled with his new bench, and we’re sure Mary’s partner is also over the moon to have such an incredible space to spend his workday!
VIA WHISK AND KEY
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