Here’s one more fun space from the ABM studios that we wanted to share with you guys. We call this room the styling room, but we really use it for a whole bunch of different things. We store lots of styling props in here as well as miscellaneous kitchen gear that doesn’t fit in our kitchen. If you would’ve told me two or three years ago that (1) I wouldn’t be shooting everything in my own kitchen, and (2) would have a whole wall of cute props to choose from for my recipe photos, I would’ve laughed in your face! So I have to admit this room is a little slice of dreams coming true. Not to get all gushy, but thank you guys so much for making this possible for us.
Annnyway, we also use this room to have meetings, phone conferences or just for another work space if some privacy or silence is needed.
You want to see how this room started out????
Oh yes, that is a chimney that leads to nowhere. Old houses are always full of funny little add-ons or stories from things that once were. Apparently this house had a fireplace at some point, but it doesn’t anymore. We did add our own faux fireplace though.
The biggest surprise in this room was underneath the carpets. We found asbestos tiles, many of which were cracked or in disrepair. We had those professionally removed and had (laminate) hardwood floors installed.
We also painted almost everything black. If you want to see more “before” pictures click here.
Here’s what the room looks like currently. I love the drama the all-black walls and ceiling add to the space. Sort of reminds me of my living room. Josh built the custom shelves to organize our styling supplies. And we added this small table and four chairs to the center for anyone to use when they are utilizing the room.
This room is located directly above the kitchen, so it’s a quick walk up the stairs to grab items I need when I’m cooking.
To the far right in the above photo you can see the enclosure around the stairwell. Keeps us from falling. Also we keep meaning to paint that stairwell rainbow… Should we do it? It’s white currently, and it’s hard to keep clean.
This room leads directly into our two office areas. Even though this room was originally a bedroom, we are thankful for the extra storage space and a quiet spot for phone calls to happen. Thanks for letting me share! xo. Emma
Sources: Table and Chairs/Amazon, Rug/West Elm, Light Fixture/DIY.
Credits // Author: Emma Chapman, Photography: Janae Hardy. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
57 Comments
The transformation is impressive! Love the black walls x
http://www.wild-cherrytree.com
You always make such amazing changes to very average looking spaces! loving the black brick walls!
http://wideseanoanchor.com/
This room turned out so great guys! There’s so much personality in it especially on those shelves!
https://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
I say go for the rainbow! What a dream come true, congratulations it looks amazing guys!
xo Hannah
p.s. I am holding a giveaway for a cozy aztec cardigan over on my blog if you’d like to join here:
http://thebraidedbandit.blogspot.com/2014/10/giveaway-win-cozy-tribal-sweater.html
Wow! I really love how you styled the shelves and added some colorful accents! ALINA ERMILOVA
Rainbow stairs? Yes! YES! YESYESYES!!!!
wow, that looks so amazing! i just love those black walls 🙂
xo, cheyenne
I say go for it. Paint it rainbow. It’d add a splash of color in the black room. Normally you guys go for white walls, so it’s a cool little difference. Wish I had a styling room. One day perhaps. :] // http://www.itscarmen.com ☼ ☯
Love the black! Yes, to the rainbow stairwell. And can you post a floor plan of the ABM studio? Or did I miss it somewhere? I’d love to see how everything flows.
As a Finn I recognized the Saarinen Tulip chairs and table right away. Too bad that this Vertigo Interior seems very dubious. How can the whole set be that cheap? But the room looks super nice and comfy! Love the black walls!
I love the dramatic walls and ceiling! And those chairs are AMAZING. As to painting the stairwell rainbow…go for it.
Thanks for sharing!
I love the black walls! They look so cool with the white shelves!
Black wouldn’t have been a colour that springs to mind…but having seen this..I’ve charged my mind!
http://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
Rainbow stairs sound fun, or ombre stairs…
I live in an apartment without a staircase but if I had a staircase I would love to switch out the hand rail for something like this
http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/plastic_rods_tubes_shapes/colored_acrylic_rod/148
Seems like such a fun little detail and I’ve never seen anyone do something like that before.
What a gorgeous set-up! Home inspo
http://www.littleblackshell.com
Those chairs look amazing!
http://thatsmagsforyou.com
Love that you’re living your dream! Always get such a fuzzy feeling when I see your ‘home office’ (literally!) – what vision you guys have….
That is so crazy what the before picture looks like!Love the black, I never would have guessed I would like black on walls. You guys are so inspirational!
The room looks so great! You guys are just so awesome at making any space look beautiful with a signature style. My question is, what made you choose the color black for this room (which by the way has worked so beautifully) But black is generally such a rare and brave choice for any living space.
Cool space! It looks like the perfect environment for creativity! Great job.
I think try the rainbow and if it doesn’t work just paint it black because I’m loving that and it makes the rainbow chair covers stand out. Wish I had a room like this and your whole house is amazing, love the before and afters!
http://lacemountains.blogspot.com/
Every room in your house is so freakin’ cool! I’m in love with the black walls. They make your white shelves and accessories really pop. You probably need a lot of natural light to pull off black walls, right?
Who knew black walls can actually look so good! I love this place 🙂
http://www.fashionpartyblog.com/
Paint it rainbow! If you don’t like it you can always paint it white again 🙂
Erin // http://www.beingerin.com
Love this room… props room, looks absolutely great… those black walls make all the difference..
xo
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
WOW – what a room!
I love the black walls and the white shelves!
Greetings & Love
Ines
http://www.eclectichamilton.com
Gorgeous! Pinterest worthy! x
https://www.marjorievie.blogspot.com
I LOVE this space. The black is seriously amazing. I’ve been seeing it pop up on pinterest a lot but I’d be nervous to try it. You’re making me more interested! Does it make the room dark? I know natural light is important to you so I’m guessing not.
You’ve been talking about the rainbow stairs for as long as I can remember. It would be fun to see happen 🙂
Great space ABM! Where’d you get that rug?
Hi Becca!
It’s from West Elm.
xx- Elsie
Elsie, is that rug sold out? The link just took me to West Elm’s front page. 🙁
Hi Cynthia,
It looks like it is sold out, but I see some similar ones on their site!
xx- Elsie
I think a colorful staircase would be a nice accent, but what about something with a pattern? like this:http://plentyofcolour.com/2012/09/06/patterned-stairs/
Wow. I have been looking for a way to spruce up my Saarinen table and chairs and those cushions are incredible. I have a million old serapes around here, now I have to call my upholstery shop! Thanks!
Ugh. I love all of these rooms so so much. You guys have made an amazing transformation happen so quickly. (Ugh = jealous) I’d love to see a video tour of the space so we could all see how it works together. (YoungHouseLove used to do their video home tours and they were so helpful. RIP, blog!) I also love that this room, while not definitely masculine, is a little less feminine than some of the other spaces, so it balances things out.
I’d never thought I would like black walls (and ceiling!) that much.
The room does look beautiful!
I’ve made the lamp! And I absolutely love it! & all of my friends as well! Thanks for the inspiration.
As a brand new first time homeowner, I cannot even express how inspired I am with all the visuals you share of your beautifully eclectic living/working spaces. Coming from small apartments and a ton of moving around, I only have the bare essentials at this point in my 7 room house. I’ve been putting together an inspiration board for each room, and I am finally able to start accumulating pieces to fill up my quaint little home!
I owe so much of my creative decor vision to A Beautiful Mess, thank you so much!!
Rachel Boncek
I am in love with the black walls. And the props that have gold details. This is such a great room!
Amazed as usual!
I need a styling room!
what I would do for a room like this! such a practical and fun space. I’m definitely putting this idea into our ‘dream home’ board on pinterest.
love, arielle
a simple elegance
What an amazing job you did!
This is so beautiful! I love the inset shelves.
oh that prop wall is a dream come true! can I come over and bake with you? 😉
GAH SUCH A GORGEOUS ROOM.
http://wherebeautymeetsbrains.blogspot.com/
Love the contrast of black walls with the white shelves! Also, that is my dream table…
I absolutely adore this room and the dramatic look of the black paint!
xoxo
Taylor
So cool. What a great space.
Stunning room – love black and white theme
http://highheelsbrownhair.blogspot.co.uk/
Where did you get all the napkins for styling?
I love the black walls makes everything else in the room pop. Really cool transformation.
wow– i actually love the black walls! so unique
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
This is amazing! What a beautiful room! I’d never dare painting a room entirely in black. I’m always afraid it would turn out too dark, but you guys have proved me wrong! This is a beautiful and in fact stylish room. May I ask, what have inspired you to paint your living room and this room in black?
http://www.styleinwhite.ca
Awesome! I just painted my home office a very dark grey, I love this black. What paint color did you use?
I didn’t take the time to look through all the comments so I’m probably not the first to ask… Are the shelving units a DIY or a purchase? I love the added detail in the base corners and how they are open a the bottom. I’m seeing black walls every where right now. So cool.
Hi Jeniffer! Josh built them for us, but we don’t have a blog post about them. He could answer any questions you might have about them if you want to email him at josh AT redvelvetart DOT com 🙂 -Jacki