See what you can turn a dilapidated building into. This office is more like a cozy kitchen-dining room where you can work and relax.
Katie Hackworth has worked from home for five years and is accustomed to conveniences like dining in a full kitchen. But as the business grew, the girl had to arrange meetings with clients more and more often, so she decided to move to a separate office.
Paul, Katie’s business partner (and husband) helped her find a studio in Seattle and turn it into a bright, cozy office. Now Katie can easily prepare her own lunch right at her workplace and meet with clients at a large table. The office also has a work space and a small bathroom.
Initially, this small building was used as a garage, then as a flower shop, antique shop and travel agency office. When Katie and Paul first arrived, everything was in a sorry state: exposed, rotting ceiling beams, cracked concrete floors, missing glass in the windows. So they rented the office for a small fee and began renovations.
The couple leveled the floor, added plasterboard walls, and allocated a small room for a bathroom. We also had to tinker with electricity and plumbing, but the result exceeded all expectations.
The office has a large window that allows plenty of natural light into the room. But the couple decided to enhance the effect and painted the walls white. And then I bought a white refrigerator for the kitchen.
They decided to do without cabinets in the kitchen – Katie herself designed a table with drawers and space for a sink and had it made by a local craftsman. They decided to paint the facades an emerald shade and add gold fittings.
The couple also had a marble slab that they used as a countertop.
Katie didn’t mind investing in good furniture: all things are easy to move if necessary, which means it won’t last for one year. For example, for lunches and negotiations, the girl chose a huge table with a black base and vintage legs.
A small desk fits perfectly into the corner between the wall and the refrigerator. And for zoning, the guys used light curtains – they don’t eat up the space and give it an airy feel.
