Before And After: A San Francisco Event Space

Cocoon Home Design began the new year decorating a space slated for San Francisco events. Generously appointed with a conference room, a lounge area, a game room AND a roof deck with grand views of the city, the venue personifies the perfect location for professional and social events alike.  

Working with existing tufted leather chairs and sofas, we helped balance the warm and masculine effect with cool colors, polished metals, and modern accents.  We accessorized the space with nature-inspired curiosities, botanicals and carefully curated objects lending it a sophisticated, yet earthy look.  

At onset, "Room Inspirations" were created for the entire space, incorporating some of the existing items and blending with new pieces to help show how the space could look and feel.  We then proceeded to rearrange the furniture in order to create a better flow and to see what other items in the space needed to be added or deleted. 

In the lounge area, we removed the existing rug and placed two identical ones to make the space feel larger and more cohesive.  The addition of leather and lucite stools added a more timely effect, while the brass coffee table brought in polish and sophistication to the space.  

A saddle bag found at The Alameda Antique Fair drapes one the sofa arm to hold magazines.  A cluster of plants and a floor lamp add interest and mood lighting the corner. 

Utilizing the color of the existing conference chairs as an inspiration, we painted the walls green and added green bound books and brass shadow boxes to the built-in shelves.  The mounted butterfly collection now hangs in the entry hallway and the globe chandeliers have been replaced with blown glass and brass fixtures that bring a more updated look to the space. 

In the game room, an antique card table was painted to match the leather chairs.  Casters were added to make the table mobile and practical.  An oversized Timothy Oulton card art helps emphasize the room's intended purpose.  

The venue now looks and feels ready to host a myriad of different private companies and organizations. 

For inquires on renting this space please contact Marcy  at (415) 692-7177.

A San Francisco Office Space: Inspired By The Gold Rush

For the past few months, Cocoon Home has been decorating a San Francisco office space for a venture capital firm with a Barbary Coast/Gold Rush theme.  The building is located the part of the city that gave birth to the Barbary Coast, which in its heyday was known as a red light district.  This was also the time the California Gold Rush of 1849 began bringing thousands of miners looking for gold and opportunity, hence the combination of the two themes.

Wanting to pay homage to the area's history and California's entrepreneurial spirit, the partners wanted the space to reflect a bit of its colorful past.  Careful not to go overboard with the themes, Cocoon Home used reclaimed wood, a mix of metals, steam trunks and art that reflected the era as well as modern accents and vibrant botanicals to lend the offices a contemporary feel. Take a look:

The Way We Work: Cocoon Home Design

With the help of these images and this room inspiration, our home office has taken on the look and feel I was hoping for.   Now, the workspace that Alex and I share is both functional and comfortable.  Here are some more shots and, also, tips on creating or renovating your very own home office.

9 tips for creating an organized home office space with a personal touch: 

1.  Layer your lighting between task lamps and ceiling fixtures.

2.  Find the right chair/s for both comfort and style.

3.  Thread computer wires through drilled holes in your desk tops.

4.  Use trays, folders and/or clipboards to store mail and organize paperwork.

5.  Always have a plant, big or small, in the space.

6.  Surround yourself with images and/or objects that inspire you, but strive to keep the area uncluttered.

7.  Place a candle nearby with your favorite scent for a relaxing effect.

8.  Do have extra seating for a visiting friend, client or coworker.  This could even be a stool that doubles as an additional surface for magazines or books.

9.  Ensure your desk is at the ready with pens, pencils, paper, chargers and a glass [or two] of water.

7 Inspiring Home Office Spaces

Last week I decided to renovate our home office space.  We tore up the rug, took down the built-in cabinetry and carefully removed the redwood panels that lined the walls. At present, it's a pretty raw space and my mind is teeming with ideas inspired by the these images, this pin and these chairs.

Which images speak to you?

Images: 1./2./3./4./5./6./7.

Room Inspiration: An Updated Mid-Century Office

This room was inspired by a client’s request for a "Mad Men" style work space with current day sensibilities.  After perusing through these images, Cocoon Home came up with this modern mid-century office.

Credenza, calendar, leather chair,  light, desk, rug, task chair and art.