A Dual-Purpose Room

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  When friends and relatives pay a visit, it's cause for celebration. But finding the extra space for loved ones to spend the night can be a challenge fit for a contractor. Before you make that call, stop and reconsider the rooms you already have. A home office or den can transform into stylish accommodations with just a few simple modifications.
  On top of armoire: Tea canisters, Flower Marquetry Bone Inlay Box Long in Cream/Black, and Leaf Design Bone Inlay Jewelry Box with Lock/Key in Cream/Black: Tozai Home. Black and blue craft boxes: MBI, a division of MCS Industries. Rug: Merida. Computer: LG.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton

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  YOUR MISSION: To create a dual-purpose room. It's not impossible if you keep these guidelines in mind. First, choose a soft, neutral color palette that's conducive to sleep and relaxation. Here, a cream and blue color scheme, accented with small doses of black, offers a soothing, sophisticated escape. Second, select furnishings that work equally well in both settings, such as a daybed, or those that can camouflage the room's true function, such as a computer cabinet.
  Dress the bed with linens that coordinate with the room's palette for a more harmonious look. Designers Guild's Allegri cotton percale sheets and shams feature black embroidery that really pops, picking up on the room's accent color. Down comforter and pillows: United Feather & Down. Hardwood shutters: Hunter Douglas.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton

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  Supply those gracious touches -- extra towels, bathroom supplies, and reading material -- that make guests feel special. Atelier Accent Task Lamp; restorationhardware.com.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

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  DOUBLE DUTY: Think "multipurpose" when furnishing the room. ARTWORK: Hang similarly framed photos symmetrically to create a focal point in a smaller room. 12-inch square frames from East Village Collection: MCS Industries. LIGHTING: Overnight guests can use either of these floor lamps as a reading light. Gun Metal adjustable floor lamp: Anteriors Home. TABLE: Two end tables are easier to move than a coffee table and can double as nightstands.
  ACCESSORIES
  Sculptures by Agnes Baillon and framed photos of Agnes Baillon sculptures: Obsolete. Black and White candlesticks in Mango Wood/Bone: Two's Company. Striped pillow fabric in Sequence Porcelain Collection: Waverly.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton

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  PICTURE PERFECT
  How to create a pleasing arrangement. Art that is evenly interspersed on all four walls lacks visual clarity, says Steve McKenzie, president and CEO of Larson-Juhl.
  Instead, make a grid or grouping of different works to create a focal point in a room. Keep in mind that structured grids look formal, while random, collagelike groupings have a more casual feel. The scale of your furnishings comes into play when considering placement.
  For instance, hang one large, heavy piece or a grouping over a sofa, but a smaller, minimally framed work over an accent chair to create balance. Mirrors can also serve to double art's impact.
  Eight Bull's Eye Mirror and Russian CD caddy in Ebony from globalviews.com.
  SMALLER works of art can be grouped in a grid of up to nine or 12. Keep the arrangement tight and the frames square.
  LARGER pieces can be rectangular in shape, but keep the grid to four. Maintain visual unity with identical mats and frames.
  READING NOOK: Stock a bookcase with good reading material and position a comfortable chair by it.
  Antique black table lamp: Anteriors Home. Sleek and Chic Vase Trio: Two's Company.
  CARRYALLS: Leave extra linens, towels, and bathroom amenities in handled baskets so guests can tote them to the bathroom. Savannah Utility Baskets: potterybarn.com.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton

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  Don't let any space go unused. The top of the armoire makes an ideal spot to display beautiful objects.
  A roomy armoire hides unsightly office equipment. Purchase one that's made to hold computer equipment, such as the Berkshire Road Computer Cabinet from Target (target.com), or customize a regular armoire with shelves and cubbies to suit your needs.
  Drill a small opening into the back panel to feed cords, and remember to add a task lamp to adequately light your recessed workspace.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

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  Just a few well-planned modifications can help a room make the transition to guest quarters. Because this is a room that's rearranged quite often, look for chairs on casters, such as Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams's Gloria Chair, which are easy to move. A foldable luggage stand can be stored in a closet when not in use. Add an ottoman for guests to sit on while putting on shoes. Pouf ottoman with nickel tacks in black leather from globalviews.com.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton

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  QUICK CHANGE
  Elegant sofa to cozy guest bed: A daybed uses a fraction of the space of a sleeper sofa. The Simone Daybed (shown here in Oyster). crateandbarrel.com.
  DAYTIME: Position the daybed against the wall, and line the back with throw pillows in two coordinating patterns. If you already have fabric you like, make your own pillow covers. Set it up as a comfortable couch; it's a great place to read (or catnap!).
  NIGHTTIME: When guests arrive, cover the throw pillows with pillow covers and pretty shams. You'll want to use a mattress pad as well, for extra padding and protection. Twin-size sheets fit the daybed, so there's no need to buy custom linens.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton

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  Pamper Your Guests
  Indulge them with thoughtful touches and little luxuries. Welcome your guest with a few homey details to make his or her stay more comfortable. Leave an alarm clock, telephone, pen, postcards, and a water carafe and glass on the night table. Include a microwavable two-in-one teapot cup and tea bags or a small coffeemaker so that your guest can help herself in the morning. Fresh flowers and candles add to the ambience.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton

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  Make a Message Board
  Working at home, you most likely don't have cubicle walls to tack up your favorite photographs, to-do lists, and calendars. That may be a positive thing, but what to do with all those frequently used items you need to keep handy? The answer: Line the interior of your armoire's doors with cork message boards. Look for boards thin enough that they won't prevent the doors from closing, but thick enough to hold tacks. (Try corkstore.com, where you can purchase cork in different thicknesses by the linear foot.) Attach the cork to the doors using hot glue or hook and loop fasteners. Covering the cork in fabric makes the boards too bulky for this project, but you can glue ribbon or piping around the edges for a decorative look. Now as you work, invitations, bills, and notes are within reach. Close the doors and everything is safely tucked away till you need it.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Creating a Dual-Purpose Room

  Keith Scott Morton