Everything in this family office was furnished by Steven Shell Living, with the exception of the calendar.
Steven Shell Living
This week, I had the pleasure of furnishing and styling our craft room, family office, and homework space with the help of Steven Shell Living. I am so excited to share how the room came together and why this space has quickly become one of the most useful areas in our home. I also purchased two of their blue swivel chairs for our living room, and they have been just as beautiful and comfortable as I hoped.
For local readers, Steven Shell Living has a charming storefront in Cameron Village in Raleigh. This is not the kind of home decor store you rush through in five minutes. Plan to spend at least half an hour browsing, because there is so much to see. The store is filled with furniture, mirrors, lighting, art, rugs, baskets, pillows, and decorative pieces tucked into every corner. It is the type of place where you notice something new each time you turn around.
They do not currently have an online shop, but they are easy to follow for design inspiration and store updates.
I would describe Steven Shell Living’s style as timeless and classic, with just the right amount of trend-driven detail. The pieces do not feel cheaply made, and there is no particle board look here. The furniture made by Steven Shell is crafted from 100% mahogany wood and is made to order. If you care about finishes, colors, and custom details, that makes a big difference. It is helpful to have options when you are trying to create a room that feels personal, polished, and built to last.
The Family Office
We are calling this room the family office because it serves several purposes. It is a craft room for the kids, a homework room after school, and a practical office space for my husband and me when we need to work from home. I wanted a room that felt bright and pretty, but also functional enough for everyday family life.
The main piece I was looking for was a long wood table that could work as a shared desk. I wanted something large enough for several children to sit at together, spread out projects, draw, or do homework. At the same time, it needed to be comfortable for me to use with my computer. I chose a classic farmhouse-style table because it feels timeless and sturdy. I did not want a trendy desk that would feel dated in a few years, especially in a room we use so often.
The Details
I have always loved our kitchen table, but after seeing the selection at Steven Shell Living, I wish I had known about this store when I was shopping for one. They carry tables in a variety of shapes and styles, along with many other home decor pieces. Beyond furniture, the store has mirrors, lighting, art, pillows, rugs, Turkish rugs, and baskets. And yes, I somehow found more baskets that our house apparently needed.
One of my favorite styling choices was using a basket with handles as a paper trash can. It is easily the prettiest trash can I have ever had in a room. Using baskets as waste bins outside the kitchen is a simple home office decorating idea that adds texture and keeps the space feeling intentional. I used another basket to hold my ZZ plant, which continues to survive no matter what I do.
I also fell in love with this llama pen holder. Every desk needs at least one playful statement piece, and this one adds personality without taking over the room. It was also at a good price point, which made it an easy yes.
Chalkboard in a Frame
Let’s talk about the framed chalkboard, because it makes such a strong statement in this family office. It is about six feet tall and came with hanging hardware on the back, so it can be mounted on the wall if desired. At first, I considered using it in the kitchen for a weekly menu, but it feels much more useful in this room. Since this is where the kids craft, write, draw, and work on school projects, the chalkboard gives them a creative place to use every day. It also adds height and contrast to the space, which helps the room feel finished.
The Rug
The room would not feel the same without the geometric rug that Steven Shell Living helped me choose. It is made of wool and feels thick and plush underfoot. A good rug can define a shared office space, especially when the room has multiple functions. This one grounds the table and chairs, adds pattern, and makes the room feel warm and inviting.
After the girls finished doodling, I cleared the table and used the space to get some work done. This room gets so much natural light, and it looks out onto a pretty view. That makes a bigger difference than I expected. Working in a bright room with a pleasant view instantly makes the space feel more enjoyable and productive.
Chairs
I am so happy with the slipcovered chairs I chose for the table. They have a clean silhouette, and because they do not have arms, the kids can sit in them easily. They are comfortable, simple, and versatile enough that they would also work beautifully as dining side chairs.
The round seagrass baskets stacked under the table also have lids. I plan to keep them on a shelf long term, but they looked so cute styled under the table that I could not resist using them there for the photos. They are a great example of functional storage that still adds texture and charm to a room.
We are thrilled with the way Steven Shell Living helped bring this family office, craft room, and homework space together. The process was fun, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The finished room feels bright, practical, comfortable, and beautiful, which is exactly what I wanted for a shared family workspace. If you are local, it is definitely worth visiting the store and taking your time to look around. And if you love baskets as much as I do, you will probably find one you cannot leave behind.
This post is sponsored by Steven Shell Living. All opinions, as always, are honest and my own.
