Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Interior desinger, Francine Chin, discusses with Roger Davis, the changes that will be made to transform his small home office. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
ROGER DAVIS' tiny office was in dire need of a transformation. So when he saw the Lifestyle/CETv! office makeover contest in Lifestyle, he wrote a letter that was basically a cry for help.
"I'd like you to transform my home office because right now it's really clustered and unsystematic," wrote the 21-year-old University of Technology computer studies major. "As a result, I hardly want to go in there because it's not comfortable, but I have to force myself in there to work. Please rescue me from my drudgery!"
Three months ago, this budding businessman turned the 'junk room' of his Queensborough, St. Andrew home into an office and repainted the room. Still, he noted, the office was bland, small, and cluttered. He needed some serious help in space management. Plus, he needed to make room to meet with his clients (sometimes five or six at a time).
BEFORE
Before the makeover, the walls looked dreary with the hint of mint hue. The rafters were bare, books were strewn everywhere and the only evidence of life was the tapping of his keyboard and the clicking of his mouse as he worked. A bland single light bulb protruded from the dreary walls.
THE PLAN
In answering his plea, Francine Chin of Adam's Design in Kingston was summoned to make the magical transformation.
The plan was to divide the walls, using a variety of colours that would form a backdrop for graphics that would give the space a vibrant feel.
Chin noted that, although the space was small, the ceiling was very high, which gave the room some depth.
In addition to painting the walls, the plan also called for painting the rafters, installing a bookcase, and adding pendant lighting for plenty of light and pizzazz.
THE TRANSFORMATION
Chin used three different colours on the walls as the backdrop for her graphic designs. One wall was painted Polo Blue, the other, Sun-Kiss Yellow and the third Million-Dollar Red.
The burst of colours on the walls was complemented by vibrant hanging lights from courts. The lights includ an adjustable one, which, with a slight tug, can be pulled down to provide better spot lighting.
The new vertical bookcase provides ample room for Davis' books that were once strewn about the small office space. Chin also installed a smaller case on which she assembled a manual pencil sharpener.
Chin also put in a chrome bin with a matching clock that she got from Azan's SuperCentre in Cross Roads. The chrome frame of the clock boasts the keys of the keyboard such as the '@' key.
Chin said the inspiration for the colours and graphics came from Davis' age. She wanted to add that 'youthful vigour'.
Davis' response
"This is awesome. Wow, I like it," he exclaimed.
"Oh my gosh, it's more than what I expected," he gushed as he turned in circles taking in the details from the hanging coloured lamps to the matching navy blue rug in the middle of the room.
"It seems a lot more comfortable now. I'll look forward to coming in here more," he beamed. "It actually looks better. Feel like taking my bed and put in here.
"This is cool man, I could give you a hug," he said turning to Chin.
