Hello, friends! I’m finally tackling the office and guest bedroom to give it a fresh nautical-inspired makeover. This room has been on my list for a long time, but life with small children — and a baby in 2014 — meant it kept getting pushed to the back burner.
Until last weekend, it was the last beige room in the house. I painted the walls Benjamin Moore Simply White, and the change is already brightening the whole space. I’d never painted a room white before, and I’m excited about how it creates a clean backdrop for my new white desk and for photographing small projects for the blog.
The desk sits opposite a large window, which gives me wonderful natural light for photos. I picked this room as both my workspace and a small photo studio because the layout and light are ideal. Painting it white helped the room feel larger and brighter, and it coordinates perfectly with the desk.
I found this desk at a local outlet and was thrilled to bring it home. It’s wider but shallower than my old desk, which makes it fit the chosen wall perfectly and gives me great storage. With the desk in place, the room finally started to feel like a real plan rather than a vague idea.
Before buying accessories I paused to create a simple nautical vision board so the space would feel cohesive. I rearranged the furniture first, then painted and planned the textiles and wall decor. I still have a few pieces to make or purchase, such as DIY nightstands, lamps, and throw pillows to complete the guest bed.
The design started with a set of blue paisley curtains I found while browsing for inspiration. They set the tone for a palette of whites, blues, and natural wood tones. I favored a light coastal look rather than a heavily nautical room—just subtle touches that feel fresh, calm, and welcoming for guests.
For the guest bed I already own white bedding, so the plan is to add a few coastal-inspired throw pillows and a blanket. I’ll also make small bedside lamps to sit on my planned DIY nightstands. Above the desk I’m using a linen-framed pinboard to display inspiration and keep ideas at hand while I work.
A handmade sign that says “I want to eat cake by the ocean” adds a playful, coastal touch and a bit of personality to the room without overwhelming the calm color scheme. I also plan to bring in a few wooden sailboats originally used in my summer decor for subtle seaside references.
I’m keeping the look versatile so the room can function well as an office and a comfortable guest space. One big decision I’m weighing is whether to replace the full bed with a daybed and trundle or a sleeper sofa. A sleeper sofa is an appealing option if it provides a comfortable mattress for overnight guests.
Here are the main inspiration pieces that helped shape the room: Ryden chair and slipcover, a brass task lamp, a Bedford-style desk accessory set, faux wood curtain rod, blue paisley curtains in long 95″ length, a sleeper sofa with slipcover option, framed linen pinboard, a gray rustic frame, watercolor feather art, the “I Want to Eat Cake by the Ocean” sign, an aqua glass table lamp, faux sage plant, coastal throw pillow covers like Morning Tide, a wood bead chandelier, decorative wooden sailboats, a turquoise crab pillow, cool striped pillows, and a whale pillow.
I’m excited to finish painting, hang the curtains, install lighting, and style the desk and guest area. Once everything is in place I’ll share photos and tips about how to combine office functionality with a comfortable guest space using a simple nautical palette.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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