The Dramatic Study

A mismatched addition with awkward proportions and no clear identity — that's where this project started. The goal was to transform what was effectively a leftover room into something with real intention: a space that works as a quiet, book-lined study during the week and shifts effortlessly into a moody, intimate cocktail room when guests arrive.

The renovation leaned into drama rather than away from it. Dark, saturated color, rich materials, and bold wallpaper give the room a sense of enclosure that makes it feel cozy rather than small. Custom built-ins ground the space and solve the storage problem that comes standard with older homes. Lighting was treated as a design element in its own right — layered to support both reading and entertaining.

The result is proof that a formerly awkward addition can become the most memorable room in the house.

Design by Kathryn Murphy Interiors · Home office and cocktail room renovation · Moody interior design · Dark room design · Chicago suburb home renovation