Office and Guest Bedroom in Shadyside Pa
From outdated to intentional: a modern office and guest retreat reimagined.
With a vision of creating a space that felt both intentional and inviting, Sandy and Michel reimagined an unused area of their home as a modern office and guest retreat. Guided and executed by M&M Builders PGH, the transformation focused on high-end cabinetry, custom trim, and thoughtful design details that bring comfort and luxury together.
Timeline: 10 Weeks
Location: Shadyside PA
Customer Review
We highly recommend M&M Builders PGH. Mike and Mike are professionals and trustworthy. Our “family room” was in need of a full renovation. Mike and Mike meticulously planned the different steps needed and delivered fantastic end results. See before and after pictures attached. They have a reliable network of subcontractors (electrician, plumber, flooring company, etc.) and did a tremendous job coordinating and managing everyone onsite.
What we liked the most about Mike and Mike was their patience, openness to feedback, and, in general, their ease of communications from the initial meeting until the final walkthrough. We trusted them enough to leave them the keys to our house and went on vacations while they were doing the renovations.
Finally, we greatly appreciated (a) all the protective measures that they used to make sure that no damage would be done to our hardwood floors/stairs, and (b) how clean they left the house.We are happy to have (finally) found a general contractor that we can trust.
We are already in talks with them regarding future projects.
– Sandy Laverne
Stagnant, Underutilized and left behind
Past Era
The existing room’s design, layout, and finishes clearly belonged to another time, lacking relevance to modern living.
Missed Potential
The existing space failed to support the homeowners’ needs, leaving it underused and without clear purpose.
Lacking Purpose
The room showed no intentional design strategy, resulting in a space that felt unresolved and inefficient.
Limited Storage
The space lacked adequate storage solutions to support the homeowners’ daily needs and long-term use.
Collaborative Design, Thoughtful Execution
Mike and Mike of M&M Builders PGH, alongside Jackie of Thornton Interior Design, partnered closely with Sandy and Michel to thoughtfully design and build a space tailored to their lifestyle, delivering a functional, long-term solution aligned with their needs and vision.
Intentional Features That
Define This Multi-Use Space
The custom-built Murphy bed blends seamlessly into surrounding cabinetry, ensuring the room maintains a polished office feel with hidden guest functionality
Designed as part of the overall cabinetry package, the custom desk creates a dedicated workspace without disrupting the room’s ability to function as a guest space.
The custom fireplace enhances the room’s atmosphere, creating a space that feels productive during the day and inviting at night.
Natural walnut interiors paired with dark green cabinetry create a cohesive, timeless material palette that defines the room’s character.
Notable Design Features
Custom trimwork
The project showcases exceptional custom trim work, including elegant pencil molding, tailored crown molding, refined door casing, and detailed decorative door trim—reflecting a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout.
Intergrated cabinet lighting
Thoughtfully integrated lighting adds dimension and clarity, highlighting the cabinetry without overpowering the overall design.
Custom built cabinetry
Fully custom-built cabinets were designed and crafted specifically for this project, ensuring precision, longevity, and refined detail.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper was used to layer texture and balance, creating a cohesive backdrop that connects every design element.
Every detail was carefully considered, creating a functional, refined space the homeowners are proud of.
Through thoughtful design and custom execution, Sandy and Michel now have a space that works seamlessly for daily life and is built to serve them comfortably for years ahead.
