The Fremont Project: Working (& Working Out) at Home in Style

Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

The home in our Fremont project already had a dedicated home office and gym - a great start! - but both spaces needed some design TLC to reach their full potential. The office was fairly functional but uninspiring, and the homeowners desired a space that felt polished and professional, yet still relaxed and comfortable. The gym was the home’s original porch, with tons of natural light but no storage, and finishes that were due for a refresh. The goals in the gym were to replace finishes with durable options, add storage and lighting, and create visual flow from the adjoining office.

OFFICE BEFORE

OFFICE AFTER

Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

Practical and Flexible

The new design includes a fully customized desk area, with a mix of open storage, drawers for files, upper cabinetry, and a shredder pullout. Integrated task lighting and hidden outlets keep the workspace clean and bright. An upholstered chair offers another seating option, and a carefully designed walnut radiator cover can function as a standing desk if desired. The unique leather sconce has a wide enough range of motion to be a reading light or a standing desk light with a simple adjustment.

Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

Polished & Textured

The classic, yet modern palette of greys, blues, browns, and black is neutral but still interesting. Lots of texture, including wall-to-wall carpet, grey-green wallpaper, nubby upholstery, and leather accents keep the space feeling layered, warm, and sophisticated. A mix of the homeowner’s existing art alongside some new pieces create a curated yet personal look. Artisan-made brass and leather-wrapped cabinetry hardware add a completely unique and tactile design detail.

Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

Closet to Built-In

The only adjustments to the footprint of the office were minor, yet impactful. First, we removed the closet and reconfigured that area to create smarter built-in storage, which now includes a printer pullout, extra drawers for odds and ends, deep wall cabinetry, and counterspace for a dry bar. Although we opted to lose some of the depth of the original closet, this approach is much more user-accessible and therefore MUCH more useful for everyday tasks. That’s a win!

Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

Creating Space

Second, we extended the existing closet wall and added a soffit to hide existing exposed ductwork. This new wall and soffit allowed us to create a lovely wallpapered “frame” around new walnut shelving. It serves as a focal point upon entry, with display space for personal items, books, and photos. Around the corner from this shelving, on the opposite side of the wall, there is now a large glass markerboard made for brainstorming sessions… polished yet super practical, and a must-have on this client’s wish list!

Daily “Flow”

Once we established the office design, we got to work on how the gym would flow seamlessly from the office. Besides carrying the color palette through both spaces, we had to figure out how to organize and store all the gear for a wide range of activities. These clients actually USE this gym on a daily basis! So we had to be sure it would be a supportive, easy-to-maintain space that they love to be in.

GYM BEFORE

GYM AFTER

Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

The Gym Gets its Workout

In the gym, the office palette gets applied in a new way, with the dark blue cabinetry color (Benjamin Moore’s Blue Note!) applied to the walls instead. A similar walnut-slatted radiator cover is designed to double as a bench seat and a storage area for workout gear. The existing white windows get a refresh with all new white trim and a new door that leads to a small balcony deck. Tailored roller shades add privacy and sun control. Warm LVP wood look flooring is durable and easy to maintain. New insulation in the ceiling helps maintain a more even temperature. All dimmable ceiling lighting, as well as perimeter accent lighting offers options for illuminating at any time of day, for any activity.

We think that this gym would make anyone want to work out more often! (The headline: design can be HEALTHY!) Here’s one more look…

Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

Be sure to check out our website gallery for more images of this project!