Before and After: How an Old Garage Was Transformed into a Mini-Office with a Kitchen

Katie Hackworth worked from home for five years and got used to the comforts of a proper kitchen for lunch. But as her business grew, she had to meet clients more often, so she decided to move to a separate office.

The floor—Katie's business partner (and part-time husband)—helped her find a studio in Seattle and transform it into a bright, cozy office. Now Katie can easily prepare her lunch right at her workspace and meet clients at a large table. The office also includes a work desk and a small bathroom.

Originally, this small building was used as a garage, then as a flower shop, an antique store, and finally an office for a travel agency. When Katie and Paul first arrived, everything was in a deplorable state: exposed rotting beams on the ceiling, cracked concrete floor, and no windows. So they rented the office for a small fee and started renovating.

The couple leveled the floor, built walls from gypsum board, and created a small bathroom area. They also had to deal with electricity and plumbing, but the result exceeded all expectations.

The office has a large window that lets in plenty of natural light. The couple decided to enhance the effect by painting the walls white. Right away, they bought a white refrigerator for the kitchen.

For the kitchen, they opted to do without cabinets—Katie designed a table with sliding drawers and space for the sink, which she handed off to a local craftsman for manufacturing. They painted the cabinet fronts in an emerald shade and added gold hardware.

They also had a marble slab that they adapted for the countertop.

Katie didn’t hesitate to invest in quality furniture: all pieces are easy to move if needed, so this is a long-term investment. For example, for meals and meetings, she chose a large table with a black base and vintage-style legs.

In the corner between the wall and the refrigerator, a small desk fit perfectly. To define the space, they used light curtains—they don’t take up much space and give the room a fresh feeling.

Another renovation story, but this time for a residential home. It’s hard to believe the owners managed without a designer. Of course, it took them ten years.