A small home office gets a sophisticated makeover inspired by worldly wonder.

The dark wall colour in Monica Dyer and Drew Elliott’s 10-by-10-foot second-floor home office serves as a slight departure from the rest of their all-white Toronto Victorian rowhouse, which they renovated top to bottom five years ago. “It’s a relatively small space, so we got experimental,” says Monica. Inspired by the comfortable, masculine aesthetic of places like traditional libraries, time-honoured university offices and old-school gentlemen’s clubs, the couple (Monica works for UN Women and Drew is an alternative-energy developer) wanted to ensure the space was as layered and character-filled as the other rooms in the house. “Even though it’s dark, it’s still a neutral backdrop for all our collections, textiles and art,” says Monica.
 

The look
Masculine and moody

The decorating idea
The charcoal grey wall colour lends this small home office a sophisticated, cozy feel.
 

The high-low mix
1 LOW Found on Etsy, the black-framed print lends contrast and whimsy.
2 LOW Old books purchased off eBay go a long way toward creating an intimate, library-like feel.
3 LOW Homeowners Monica Dyer and Drew Elliott bought the unique globe from an antiques store in Port Hope, Ont.
4 LOW A piece of wood, which cost about $100, placed on top of two filing cabinets creates a substantial desk for less.
5  LOW The couple picked up the antique kilim on a trip to Morocco. “It was a real deal,” says Monica.

 

 

• House tour: Monochromatic Victorian home
• Loft tour: Retro-industrial design
• Kitchen design: Classic Parisian charm

 

6 HIGH The artwork depicting the Terracotta Warriors is made of layers of paper, creating a 3-D effect that adds dimension to the space.
7 LOW Antiques market finds like the brass candlesticks are a low-cost way to build in richness.
8 HIGH A piece that will last a lifetime, a cabinet made of reclaimed barn-board lends character and provides ample storage.

 

 

Get the look: Functional and decorative
1 Antique-look globe, Indigo, $100.
2 Flint wall paint, Restoration Hardware, $45 US per gallon.
3 Bedford 3-drawer filing cabinet in Black, Pottery Barn, $588.