A space fit for a movie mogul

Attic office now a meeting place and screening room, too

By Candice Olson, Scripps Howard News Service

Friday, March 28, 2008

HGTV

Opening up this third-floor attic and filling it with airy finishes, feminine fixtures, comfortable seating and high-tech touches transformed it into a movie director's dream space, complete with screen- ing room.

HGTV

Before the makeover, the space was awkward, dated and lacking in style.

Audrey is a budding film director who quit her full-time sales job a couple of years ago to pursue her dream of making movies. It was a risky move but one she doesn't regret.

In just a brief period of time, she has produced and directed several short films. When Audrey isn't on set, she's busy working on scripts in the three-story house she shares with her partner, Steve.

The only problem was that her home office was a third-floor attic that was awkward, dated and completely lacking in style.

She craved a creative and feminine environment that would serve on several levels: as an office, as a place to meet with producers and actors, as a screening room and as a place for the occasional guest to bunk down.

So I called on my cast of design stars and got ready to give Audrey an award-winning director's office and screening room.

The office was actually composed of three spaces: two small rooms with a closet in between. So the first thing I did was tear down the closet in the middle to create one big, open space. I then got down to the business of giving the space a real "loft" feeling. I installed a new, light-toned wood floor throughout that brightens the room. I also put up a new reclaimed-wood-look ceiling, complete with added faux beams for architectural interest.

To complement these light tones, I selected a color palette of greens, blues, tans and creams. I chose a mixed-tone paisley as my main fabric, which adds a feminine and bohemian feeling. For added interest, I used this paisley inspiration for some unique rub-on wall graphics.

I then divided the space into two main areas: one side for making movies and one side for watching movies. In the "making" zone, I installed a custom-made desk flanked by cabinets for computer equipment and a shelf to display all of Audrey's awards and mementos. On the opposite wall, I put in a long bench with storage for all of Audrey's movies; this bench connects to another cabinet for her television.

At the other end of the room, I created the "watching" zone, complete with a big, comfy cream- colored sectional, a gorgeous paisley-covered chair and a light blue pullout couch for guest sleeping. I also designed a refreshment zone that incorporates a beverage fridge and a countertop, with a funky new popcorn maker above. But the big news here is the window area, where I installed blackout blinds, a layered drapery system and a high-tech motorized screen that comes down from the ceiling when needed for screening films.

In the middle of the two areas, I installed a small meeting area, composed of a dark wood table with some unique chairs upholstered in a light green fabric.

Lighting is very important for a director, so I installed track lighting on the ceiling, a variety of lamps and a very sparkly pendant above the new meeting table.

After a few more accents and accessories, this third-floor loft space was ready for its debut. By opening up the space and filling it with airy finishes, feminine fixtures, comfy seating and high-tech touches, I was able to give Audrey an office worthy of a movie mogul.

Now it's time for lights, camera, action - and a little popcorn.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV's "Divine Design." HGTV.com, divinedesign.tv