In fiction, a secret attic room is either magical or creepy (or both). It's where the protagonist makes discoveries about their inheritance, where family secrets are revealed, either to the delight or horror of our hero. When Jodi of House on a Sugar Hill discovered a secret room with attic-like eaves and cubbyholes on the other side of their bedroom closet, she and her husband Tim decided to throw all practical uses for the space to the wind and make themselves a charming boho oasis, a romantic retreat to curl up with a little bourbon or Netflix (or both). This secret attic room definitely falls on the magical side.

Jodi took time to graciously answer six questions we had about the space. Come along on a magic carpet ride as we discover the secrets behind the secret room.  

How would you describe your style?
 
I would describe my style as a little French Chic mixed with a little Feminine Boho. While I love to experiment with new ideas in my decorative styling, there are a few elements I cannot live without: loads of sunlight washing a room, neutral walls to let my said decorative experiments pop, and plants (the real kind) to bring the room to life. I find myself drawn to eclectic 1960s-era lines and color play, the earthy elements of the Japandi style mash-up (a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian Styling), and cannot help but love how invigorating a boho-inspired space makes me feel. I find myself pulling from these different design styles to create one that represents all the aspects that I love.
 
What are your tips on designing a smaller space / one with low ceilings, without making it feel cramped?
 
When we initially moved into our house, this bonus room was painted in beigy off-white flat paint, it had a popcorn ceiling, and the carpets were 30-year-old, cream-colored ‘cat carpet,’ as I liked to call it. Dingy and cramped would be a perfect way to describe the room. By washing the whole room in white paint (floors, walls, ceiling) the room instantly felt like it gained extra square footage. Removing the popcorn ceiling and painting it seemed to elevate the space by at least a foot. With a white backdrop to work with, I added bright pops of visual interest throughout the room to take your eyes on a journey. When your eyes jump from item to item, you get to experience the size of the room in a very visual way. Another tip is to intentionally handle window treatments. Hang your curtains high and wide to enlarge the visual of any room. 
 

You seem to always go bold with patterns and textures on the walls. Who or what first inspired you to do this?
 
I do always seem to go bold, you’re right. I really appreciate neutral rooms, and when I’m in the planning process I’ll typically plan a much more muted space. But then before I know it I’ve given in to some punchy colorful item. Then another, and another. There are two reasons for this. One, I get bored with neutrals in my home very fast. But the bigger reason is that I design a space for the energy it exudes, and my ultimate goal is to create a home that feels joyful. I want my home to make people smile or even laugh. This is why I love to add bold and unexpected colors to my home, in order to invigorate and bring joy. 
 
How did the size and style of your space affect your lighting choice?
 
One of my favorite elements in any room is the lighting choice. It anchors the style of a room in a big way. My husband and I went back and forth about the lighting in this particular room. I, of course, wanted to go big or go home, yet he was hoping for something as minimal as possible in order to save people from hitting their heads (smart man). It took quite some time to find a light that fit both our ideals. The Paige semi-flush mount from Mitzi ended up being the perfect mix of high style yet low profile enough to not be a head hazard.
 

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This small space makes a big impact with some help from that gorgeous wallpaper, a chic couch, and our Paige flush mount💡 — the perfect statement piece for low ceilings! Home: @houseonasugarhill —Link in bio for Paige—

A post shared by Mitzi: Hudson Valley Lighting (@mymitzi) on Mar 18, 2019 at 9:11am PDT

Background info on the space, what made you want to turn it into a bonus room.
 
This bonus room is impractically set through and behind our master bedroom closet.  With the size of our family we really could have used it as an extra bedroom, however, the footprint of the house left no easy way to transform it into anything besides what it already is.  Sometimes impracticality can be a blessing in disguise, and neither my husband nor I can really complain about having a quiet retreat in the back of our bedroom to watch a movie in at night, or sit by the window with a glass of bourbon. There is space enough to fit an office on the other side of the room, so that will be another project for another day. 
 
What’s the first thing you want people to say when they walk into this room. 
 
Any explicit exclamation really will do! I want this room to act like a private lounge, invigorating and enveloping, inciting long conversations and loud laughter.  With colors that pop, and prints that invite you to not take yourself too seriously, my hope is that people could let down their guards and enjoy life even a little more than before they walked in.  If you can get over the awkwardness of having to walk through our closet to get there, it really is such a great place for a gathering of people to hang out. It’s almost like our own private speakeasy. 

Explore the whole Paige family and make some magic of your own happen at home!