This project began with a simple but powerful request: to create a space that belonged entirely to her. After years of sacrificing personal space for work and family, this McKinney client was ready to invest in a room that reflected not only her personality, but her needs—emotional, creative, and professional.

This space needed to multitask with intention: a peaceful home office for two work days each week and a deeply personal hideaway the rest of the time. Our client described her corporate office as a sea of “drab 1970s decor”—uninspired and energy-draining. Here, she wanted the opposite: a room that would breathe life back into her. The result is a richly layered space that invites creativity, calm, and curiosity. It’s a cocoon for reading, diamond-dot crafting, and working in view of the surrounding wildlife and garden.

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The Wallpaper

With a love of woodland creatures, the client wanted to incorporate bunnies, birds, and botanicals—but in a way that felt elevated, not childlike. The first design decision? A luxurious wallpaper featuring a forest-inspired motif with squirrels, florals, and fauna. It sets the tone for a space that is both charming and grown-up.

Rich teal walls ground the space, while natural light and a crystal chandelier keep the mood luminous, not heavy. (Designing with dark color in a small room is a delicate balance, and here it creates just the right amount of drama and depth.)

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The Storage Space

Instead of custom cabinetry, we sourced mandala-carved cabinets from a consignment store and converted them into built-ins. The result was a more budget-conscious solution that didn’t sacrifice personality—or function. These pieces now provide ample storage for work, crafting supplies, and personal treasures.

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The Details

We trimmed the custom silk Roman shade with tassels for a feminine, tailored flourish, and anchored the room with a collage of vintage mirrors—adding light, movement, and an unexpected interplay with the more modern furnishings. Every choice here is a nod to balance: structure and softness, tradition and surprise, purpose and play.

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