The space: It was a room that had been consigned to random storage—and yes, it was small. Was our neighbor asking too much when she envisioned it as a personal sanctuary? Don’t get her wrong—she loved the company of her family. But she also craved a place to escape by herself from time to time for reading, relaxing, reflecting and the occasional restorative catnap. To fulfill this dream, a transformation was required.
The design analysis: For expert insight, we sought out designer J. Randall Tarasuk of Pavarini Design (pavarinidesign.com), a firm believer that small size needn’t limit a space’s ambitions. Tarasuk got the picture. He achieved tranquility with a palette of neutral and muted colors throughout, making the most of limited space by hanging a swivel lamp over the daybed and choosing compact furniture. Tarasuk outfitted the window with light-filtering roller shades in white—“the idea was to provide privacy without encumbering the room,” he explains. The room’s new look? “Devoid of bright colors, it’s meditative and calming.” Here you’ll see some of his paint, furniture and decor choices.
Avenue Six’s Curves Hour slipper chair tucks perfectly under the desk. “Chocolate brown brings out the rug’s color and will stand up to everyday handling,” says Tarasuk.
On the wall are black-and-white family photos in oversized white matte frames.
Hand-woven in Belgium, Surya’s Rhapsody RHA-1021 shag rug provides “an extremely cozy look and feel,” says Tarasuk.
This Sonoma armoire by Prepac features an adjustable shelf and two lower drawers, offering plenty of storage.
Let there be light—just where you need it! The swivel arm of the Eberton wall lamp by Breakwater Bay makes it so.
The ceiling has Farrow & Ball’s No. 2003 in flat finish, the walls its No. 17 light gray. The flat finish covers well without showing all the imperfections in multiple paint finishes, says Tarasuk.
When decorating around a radiator on the wall, Tarasuk likes to choose a Parsons-style desk such a Safavieh’s Duke writing desk.
Thomas O’Brien’s slender Mia lamp by Visual Comfort catches the room’s cozy spirit.
With a tufted back, the Lucy upholstered daybed by Jennifer Taylor is great for reading and lounging and becomes an ideal guest bed.