A Serene Home Office Reveal
Meet Allison Ruda
Allison is the CEO of Allison Ruda Interior Design. Her specialty is creating Instagram-worthy spaces that look and feel good for her clients. Allison started her business in Chicago and recently relocated to Michigan. She takes on design projects across the US and is known for her light, airy, and timeless design choices.
This season was Allison’s first year participating in the One Room Challenge. She decided to update her home office. “My design style is serene, effortless, and organic. I love mixing old with new and like to think of my style as timeless. I’m always mixing textures, finishes, and materials for a well-rounded look. I’m drawn to calm color palettes, though I also appreciate high contrast. For me, it’s important that a space feels good, just as much as it looks good,” says Allison.
Her design inspiration
Allison recently moved into her Mom's home in Michigan, who passed in 2019, to take care of her place and belongings. She needed a room within the house to run her business. "It was emotional making changes to my mother's home, but I knew the office was a great place to start. I craved a home office that felt like me. Though it wasn't always an easy process, I know my Mom would be pleased with how it turned out because she has always been so supportive of me following my dreams," says Allison.
Allison’s Home Office Design Tips:
Determining the Layout that Works Best for you:
Think about the placement of your desk. It was vital for me to face the window because I didn’t want the glare on my computer screen while I worked. It also really bothers me to see many cords hanging off the desk when placed in the middle of the room.
Working Together in Harmony:
Think about how everything will tie in together. Decide on the mood you want to create, and then select pieces based on that mood. I knew I wanted my office to feel serene, calm, and inspiring. I picked elements in my design that reminded me of those feelings.
Before
During
Any fun stories or challenges you can share?
One thing I wouldn’t recommend is installing the light fixture at night! We made that mistake and, it was pretty funny trying to work with minimal light in the room. I was too excited to wait until the next day. Install is best when you have plenty of daylight.
After
What were your must-haves for this room?
I needed a clear and organized desk area, large bulletin boards for project inspiration, beautiful art to inspire creativity, and great lighting! The room gets dark by 4 pm during the winter months in Michigan, so a beautiful overhead fixture that would light up the office and allow me to continue to create was important!
Why did you select the Libby Langdon for Crystorama Sylvan Ceiling Mount?
I knew when designing this room that I needed to replace the overhead light. It was dated and basic. I wanted a gorgeous fixture that made a statement, and the Sylvan light does precisely that! The size and scale of the Sylvan is precisely right for my office. It’s larger than your typical flush mount but not overpowering. It catches your eye when you walk into the room!
Another great feature is the versatility of this light. The light comes with crisp linen shades so you can switch between the shade look and the candelabra look. Both are beautiful, and I like that I can change up the look down the line.
“I’m big on the light and airy look, which is another reason why I love the Crystorama Sylvan ceiling mount. Its polished lines and elegant shape make a timeless and airy statement. I always like to invest in pieces that feel classic and will never be out of style. This fixture strikes the right balance of traditional and fresh design.”
