More and more frequently we are receiving calls from clients desiring us to help them with attic conversion remodels. Man caves, mother-in-law quarters, in-home offices, wine cellars. At home, I had a small attic above my master bedroom with a stairway from it leading to a large third story attic which houses furnaces and bric-a-brac. I thought, why not convert my attic space to a cool little office for those occasions before or after work, or on weekends, or for those days I don’t need to go into the office?
Well, this is what I came up with (though there is still some decorating to do). We finished the stairway to the upper attic with hardwood threads and a rustic barn style balustrade in painted framing lumber of 4×4 newels and 2×6 rails parallel to the pitch of the stairs. In the two-story stair hall we hung a modernist chandelier of chromed metal and ecru linen. We planked all the walls and ceilings with painted decking grade 1×8’s into which we niched spaces for books and filing cabinets and printers and such. We cut a hole in the roof and installed a fully operational Velux roof window with venetian blind. Our cabinet maker created a fabulous 48” x 72” drop-leaf built-in desk in black walnut, finished just with danish oil and wax. We lit the desk area and architectural renderings with LED cable track lighting. The floors are 6” planks of rift and quartered white oak in character grade. I stay connected to the world with TV, data, and sound system, of course. Finally, a new Herman Miller work chair and a couple of XIX c. reproductions of Louis XVI style fauteuils reupholstered in bright orange chenille help complete the look and function of the space. My personal lair, haven, sanctuary, refuge. We can create one for you, too!