Dark, dusty bedroom becomes attic oasis

When Damon and Jodie bought their house, they focused all of their energies on renovating the kitchen so they could start a catering business. They spent many hours uncovering the room's beautiful brick and building a restaurant-inspired island with lots of cooking space. But now that they have a great kitchen, all they do is work.

The couple were longing for a refuge to which they could retreat at the end of each day, when the stoves were turned off and the pots and pans put away. They were hoping their third-floor bedroom could function as such a space, but the cold attic -- with its dark corners and crumbling brick -- was anything but relaxing.

With a limited budget, two pet dogs and no storage to speak of (Damon's shoe collection took up a good part of the floor space), I had to be creative. So I called in my crew and got set to create the perfect recipe for a rustic yet chic oasis where Damon and Jodie could be far away (in spirit) from the demands of the kitchen.

I started by painting the exposed brick a crisp white, which went a long way toward turning the dusty attic into a fresh new space. I painted the other walls in a beautiful putty shade and then installed a few faux beams that add architectural interest and incorporate some much-needed lighting.

I then got to work on organizing the attic. The room had a lot of awkward angles, and the existing furniture did not maximize the usable space. So I moved the couple's dark-wood bed away from the windows and into the center of the room, between the two new beams and against a fresh white wall. On either side of the bed, I put in small tables with seven-tiered pendant light fixtures above.

Next, I got to work on the storage problem. I repurposed the existing cabinetry by adding new doors and hardware for a clean look that works perfectly with some store-bought cabinets that I customized with grass cloth, glass tops and new handles. I even added an out-of-the-box shoe solution for Damon -- a cabinet that ties in with the rest of the pieces, but is just for footwear.

I also created a little fireside lounge for Damon and Jodie by using the room's existing chimney as a backdrop for a new stainless steel, ethanol-burning fireplace. Around the fireplace, I put a moss love seat and beige chair in dog-friendly fabrics; a rustic, wood coffee table; and a heap of brown, pear and white pillows.

On the room's one window, I put up pear-linen drapes with woven grass blinds for light control. I then added a host of accents and accessories, including several dark-brown wall decals, a great area rug and some funky artwork.

This once dull and unsavory space was a recipe for disaster. So I lightened, brightened and added warm, cozy comfort to make it a rustic, chic retreat for two chefs who need time to escape the heat of the kitchen. Now that's divine!

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV's "Divine Design." For more ideas or information visit www.divinedesign.tv. Her column is syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service.