Bedrooms
Discover Sarah Sherman Samuel’s Tips For Creating A Multifunctional Room
Published on April 6, 2021
When designer Sarah Sherman Samuel isn’t breaking the Internet revamping Mandy Moore’s stunning mid-century home, she’s working on her own Michigan abode. This spring, she wanted to convert an underused spare bedroom into an office (it’s also served as a playroom and classroom for her two children in the past). Now, this hybrid space doubles as her husband Rupert’s office and will be a relaxing respite for her guests to stay, post-Covid. “I want it to feel curated but not cluttered,” she says. “I do that by selecting functional pieces that are also sculptural and beautiful. The furniture and lamps, for example, are there to serve a necessary purpose but also act as art.”
Scroll down to see how she revamped this room using finds from Etsy! (Find everything she used here.)
Here is the before, where Sarah had already DIYed the French oak panelling behind the bed which continues from the floor in this basement walk-out. The walls are panelled so there is plenty of textural interest, but it lacked polish, and the rug was too small for the space.
A wool Moroccan rug with playful pattern is a better dimension for the room and adds softness for guests hopping out of bed on a cold winter morning.
“I like a tonal look,” says Sarah. “These linen drapes are almost the same hue as the wood flooring.” The extra-long linen curtains make ceilings look taller and add warmth and softness to the room. “Bringing in earth tones and things from nature is so important right now since we are all spending more time at home, and it’s really grounding,” she adds.
This desk is like an art piece. “It’s an interesting shape from all angles, and the top appears to float above the base,” says Sarah of the solid wood stunner. To find the ’60s rattan Cesca chair, she used one of her secrets for sourcing items from Etsy. “I’ll use terms like leather, caning or plaster to hone down offerings,” she says. “I’ll know I want to incorporate a leather item, and then I find unexpected pieces that I wasn’t necessarily looking for.”
An ’80s handkerchief-style light adds an organic touch to a home office. “Any time you can bring movement, it’s a positive and this reminds me of ocean waves,” says Sarah. The print above the desk is both graphic and natural in shape. “The layers of ink on the textured paper drew me in,” she adds.
Here’s another Sarah tip: upsize your bedding for a generous effect. She ordered a king duvet upgrade for her queen bed. “I love that look of having the duvet draped over the floor, it’s really relaxed, she says. “I chose sky blue bedding as a way to bring in a pop of color, while keeping the rest of the room neutral to get the serene overall vibe I was going for.” The checkered bolster pillow references the art over the desk and adds a fun note. “I’m not one of those people who decorates with 50 pillows, I like a bed that’s easy to make!,” adds Sarah.
Fade-proof flowers in a quirky vessel are a nice touch for guests, and they don’t require constant refreshing. “The bobble vase on the accent table brings a little bit of whimsy to the room,” says Sarah. “And Etsy is such a great source for handmade lighting, like these brass sconces.”
“Plaster is a huge trend for spring,” says Sarah, who was originally searching for a plaster light fixture but found this nightstand instead. She paired it with a rippled ceramic incense holder and a super-smooth vase made of matte porcelain for a grouping that’s sensual and textural.
Sarah recalls trying out a version of this leather chair in a L.A. shop years ago, and ever since then, this vintage sling chair from Mod and Ozzie has been on her shopping wish list. The standing floor lamp is a major moment of glam, creating a natural note along with the woven ottoman and stone accent table.
The molding acts as a frame for a set of prints. “I downloaded the art from the site,” says Sarah. This printable set of six designs features a soothing selection of earthy blush and terracotta tones, and can be printed in different dimensions for a custom look.
Another Sarah secret is breaking up horizontal lines with curved items, like pottery or this solid birch mirror. “Organic and curved shapes help a room feel more welcoming,” she says.
Done! Adding a large tropical Monstera plant near the window in a raised mid-century style planter is the final touch to make a home office/guest room feel like a real retreat.
Courtesy of Etsy
Sarah Sherman Samuel