An entire room focused on highlighting a book collection would be any bookworm’s dream. Becky Wetzler, owner and principal designer of the Rockville-based firm Haus Interior Design, set out to fulfill that dream when a repeat client requested an office renovation inspired by her love of books and travel.
The client had just bought a new house and wanted a more personal touch for the sterile office space.
Now, the room is lined with wall-to-wall bookshelves, including a custom built-in shelf that arches above the entryway. It’s the kind of space that’s ideal for sitting down and getting work done, but also for rewarding yourself at the end of a long workday by sitting down with a good book.
Wetzler recently took over Haus Interior Design from its founder, Kirsten Kaplan, who opened the firm in 2005. Both Wetzler and Kaplan hail from the West Coast, and bring West Coast-inspired designs to Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
“We’ve brought the West Coast to the East Coast, with designs that incorporate more clean lines and light-filled interiors,” Wetzler says. “A lot of our projects reflect that aesthetic, and I think clients gravitate to us because of that. But I’ve lived all over, so we have plenty of diverse aesthetics we can achieve depending on what our clients want.”
In the case of this office, which is referred to internally as the “Old World Charm Office,” Wetzler was inspired by her client’s travels.
“She herself is very inspired by travelling, and particularly Paris, where she visits often,” she says. “We incorporated some more rustic elements, like reclaimed wood, for a Parisian flair.”
Quiet in the Library
The client Haus Interior Design was renovating this office for works from home, which was an important consideration for Wetzler when creating the design.
She added area rugs, not only because they protect the hardwood floors and add a more classical atmosphere to the office, but because of their soundproofing capabilities.
“We love area rugs; they really cozy up a space,” Wetzler notes. “They absorb sound, which is very important for things like Zoom calls.”
Reader’s Rest
While the office is primarily intended for work, the real star of the show is the built-in bookcase. The rest of the room was designed around it, and the bookshelves extend over the office door and above the desk.
These built-in shelves are more secure than regular bookshelves are, and give the room a distinct look. And when work is done for the day, there’s a cozy spot to sit and read.
“There’s a little reading nook, a window seat,” Wetzler said. “We actually designed it for the client’s dog. While she’s working, her dog can jump up onto the seat cushion and gaze out the window.”
