Designing My New Chapter

Camila Battiato
Feb 21
3 min read

So… I moved. Like, international move moved. New country, new house, new everything. I landed January first (yes, really 😂), and suddenly I was staring at this sweet little space near the patio that used to function as a sunroom, laundry and could also double as a guest bedroom.

And I thought… why not make this my office?

That is where it all started.

The Starting Point

One important detail: this is a rental home. So while I obviously had ideas (many ideas 😂), I had to be realistic. No major renovations, no dramatic built-in changes, no swapping out everything just because I felt like it.

The room had a Murphy bed in a glossy melamine, very dark orangey wood tone. Not the vibe. At all. The walls were white but needed some love, and they have this beautiful stucco texture that feels very Spanish and charming.

So I said: let’s keep the base white and make the Murphy bed disappear.

I chose Pure White by Sherwin-Williams for both the walls and the Murphy bed. The idea was to blend everything so it feels calm, cohesive, and light. And honestly? Best decision. The bed now melts into the wall instead of screaming “I AM A BED.”

On the other side of the room there’s a built-in cabinet that hides the laundry, painted in Light French Grey (also by Sherwin-Williams). I loved the subtle contrast, so I kept that as the only gray moment in the room. The moldings are beautiful, and that soft gray adds just enough depth without competing with the calm white envelope.

First step: primer + paint.

(My husband did the actual painting, I directed… obviously 😂)

Murphy bed done. Wall and baseboard touch-ups done. Instant transformation.

Moodboard Mode On

Because I literally just moved countries, I didn’t want to overspend. This space will evolve. But I did need it to feel comfortable and very me.

I started with the desk. I chose a warm, light, desaturated wood tone with a tiny drawer for notebooks, pencils, headphones… all the little things that somehow multiply on your desk.

Once I locked in that wood tone, I moved on to the chair. I found the perfect one at Zara Home. It has rattan and a warm light wood frame. Timeless. Classic. The kind of chair I’ve loved forever and will love forever.

Then came textures and patterns (my favorite part, obviously).

I thought of a rug I’ve used with clients before (also from Zara Home) and I’ve always loved it. The second I saw it again, I knew. It has a soft block print in cream with touches of yellow and light blue, all beautifully desaturated.

I needed storage for my fabric samples and pinboards to hang inspiration. I chose three large rattan boxes with lids for texture (because texture is life), and placed three within each molding section of the Murphy bed. In each molding panel, I also added a white felt pinboard. Functional and pretty. We love that combo.

One thing to note: I had to cut the felt pinboards to fit inside the moldings, and it was soooo easy. Truly designer-approved.

I got it in White: https://amzn.to/3ZTbXMm

Since I spend so many hours sitting, comfort was non-negotiable. I added a gingham beige and cream cushion for the chair (again, Zara Home never fails me) and then… my favorite detail: a linen cushion with scalloped yellow velvet piping. I am obsessed. The piping! The velvet! The joy!

The Ottoman (Because Obviously)

This one is multifunctional, as they should be. I use it to grab my rattan boxes with samples, to rest my feet while working, and for when my husband comes to sit and chat with me (yes, that was part of the brief 😂). I chose a warmer but slightly darker wood with jute to add contrast against the lighter tones.

Then came the curtains. There’s a lot of light in this room, so I needed a double rod. I chose subtle gray and white thin stripes for the outer layer and solid white panels underneath. Soft, tailored, calm.

To bring life into the space, I added an olive tree. I love how it instantly makes everything feel Mediterranean and organic.

Styling was the final layer: books, my laptop, a portable table lamp, a vase with flowers. The sconce was already there, so for now it stays… but I’m on the hunt for something special.

On the side wall, I hung two small artworks: lemons (obviously), stripes, florals. Vintage gold and wood frames for that layered, collected feeling.

This space will keep growing and evolving, just like me in this new chapter. But for now? I feel comfortable, inspired, and very happy here.

What do you think? 🤍