homeoffices
THE FAMILYSTUDY
DESIGNED BY VALERIE RUDDY DESIGNS-DECORATING DEN INTERIORS | LOCATION LIVINGSTON
This room was originally an unused formal living room in a large family home . Since the clients don ’ t entertain formally and used the other
two family rooms in the home rather than this one for gatherings , it became more of astorage room for furniture they no longer used . “ When we toured the home , we noticed that the clients ’ home office was locatedin the master bedroom and their triplet boys and older teenage daughter would do their homework either in their rooms or at the kitchen table ,” says Ruddy . “ If there is one piece of advice I can give to families , it is not to combine work and restinthe same area .” Her solution : To combine theworkand study areas intoone space using the forgotten living room space . “ Our clients loved this idea and told us they wanted the room to feel like a library or traditional study ,” she says .
Ruddy added Frenchdoors at the entry off of the foyer for privacy , as well as awall of French doors and windows at the end of the room where the client ’ s desks are situated that open onto a small patio space outside , bringing in natural light and airflow . A table in the center of the room is for the kids to spread out with projects or homework . Floor outlets installed under the table allow the family to charge their laptops and other devices while working . ■
PHOTO COURTESY OFPAUL S . BATHOLOMEW PHOTOGRAPHY
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FALL 2020 MILLBURN & SHORT HILLS MAGAZINE