Garage conversion: A designer’s dream home office and studio
What Jen DeCleene wanted
Accomplished interior designer Jen DeCleene had outgrown her basement home office, which meant that she was now operating out of every corner of her house. Staging materials, fabric samples, magazines, and project tools were scattered all over.. “I was operating in a small room next to my children's rowdy playroom,” says Jen. “The conditions were not ideal, to say the least.”
Her vision? To transform a detached garage into a dedicated home office and design studio where she and her assistant could work every day. The space needed to support desk work, laying out samples, job prep, and flexible storage for constantly changing inventory — all in one cohesive, functional, and beautiful environment.
“Jen had a lot of decorative objects that I wanted to highlight, so our cabinetry became the canvas on which those could shine. ”
How California Closets designed it
With function driving every design decision, Jen worked with Allison Bivin of California Closets Chicago to create highly flexible storage that could adapt as her needs changed. “I had a very clear point of view for the space,” says Jen, “but I needed their expertise to make all the pieces fit.” Knowing Jen would infuse the space with her own character through textiles, lighting, and décor, Allison intentionally chose a finish that would serve as a neutral backdrop. The soft white Dove finish blends seamlessly with the white wood-paneled walls, allowing architectural elements — like the cheery yellow window frames and exposed beams — to stand out. Slim shaker cabinet fronts add subtle detail without competing visually. A mix of drawers and tall storage accommodates everything from small fabric swatches to large bolts of fabric, staging accessories, and rolling carts used for job sites. Strategic open shelving provides easy access to frequently used objects while also doubling as display space for Jen’s curated samples.
Allison incorporated two dedicated workstations — one for Jen and one for her assistant, each outfitted with drawers for office supplies and shallow cord cabinets tucked into the leg space to discreetly hide wires and power strips. To showcase an extensive magazine collection, Allison used the area above a low window for a floating shelf, turning what could have been overlooked wall space into a striking display moment. Allison was even able to integrate a compact kitchen area, with room for a fridge and drawers for kitchen supplies and snacks to support long workdays in the studio and a reading nook for the rare moments of relaxation. “Allison met my design goals with systemic solutions like the sweet cushioned bench that doubles as filing drawers. She really nailed it!”
“Be warned: you won't want to stop at just one space! I'm already dreaming of my next CC project!”
Final result
The finished studio is a dramatic before-and-after transformation — from a dark, utilitarian garage to a bright, welcoming workspace. The studio now comfortably supports her day-to-day business, DeCleene Creative client meetings, staging prep, and creative exploration. “I'm excited to go to work every day,” says Jen. “I truly love spending time in the space and feel so productive there. I was so pleased by the attention to detail, every step of the way. From the initial design presentation in the showroom, complete with finish samples and vignettes, to the stress-free installation — the whole process was a delight.”
