It’s the question that no one actually asked me, but is often pondered by clients. How do I know that? Well, statements like, “OMG, how did you pull this all together,” give me a clue. At any rate, I’m going to give you a little behind the scenes on my process for sourcing for my guest studio. It’s ORC Week 5 y’all!

All right. I said “sourcing” instead of shopping. From a client perspective, you may think the two terms are interchangeable, but sourcing for products and materials is a much more detailed process than simply grabbing something you like from the store. I’m taking the amount of research I pulled from the beginning of a project- concept, client information, space study, users, sensory study, plus a lot more- and narrowing down the options to those that fit best with the cumulative goals. In the guest studio, I am adding a bed frame to a space that double as a guest room and studio. When I look for a mattress, I have to source a low-profile option or something similar so that I can create a custom daybed/seating arrangement specific to my user needs: prayer, lounge area, content.

Here’s something else. The space is really small, roughly 8′ x 11′, with a door sitting right in the middle of a wall. Everything selected has to be functional without overwhelming to space, because it’s already a tight fit. Now, add the effect of natural light. I love natural light, so that’s always a preference for my designs. My room room gets heavy southern light, so getting a desk that fits in the space with the best lighting means the desk needs to be small and simple. No complicated knobs, colors or textures, or I could destroy the piece over time. And that’s just the start. There’s so much more to think about, but I’m afraid I’ll get way too technical, so I will move on now lol.

So far I’ve secured paint options and the bed frame. I’ve also decided on certain accessories that double as decor and storage, and I’m working on getting the bookshelf I need. Right now though, I need to decide on a desk. I have two options before me that I have to make a decision on. The both hold their own pros and cons, but both would work well in the space. What’s your vote?

Keep me lifted in prayer. These next 3 weeks are going to explode by. You ready?! Cuz somebody needs to be, lol. I’ll chat with you later.