Today's post is a guest post from Mariana, who lives in a studio condo in midtown Atlanta. She shares how she transformed her small space with custom furniture that maximizes functionality and adds personal style.

Time to Upgrade

I had been living in my midtown studio, which I affectionately called my "glorified dorm room," for the last four years. One day, while sitting at my IKEA desk and chair—visible from every corner of the apartment—I realized it was time to say goodbye to the cheap, cluttered furniture that had been taking over my space. You know the ones—shelves and desks from Target or IKEA, put together with those weird little L-shaped wrenches. I had become so used to them that I didn’t even notice how they made my place look outdated and uninviting.

So, I decided to upgrade. I wanted something I could be proud of, especially since everything in my small condo is on display 24/7. As a tech worker who works from home, I need my space to be both functional and stylish. A few misplaced items can make the whole place look chaotic, like a storm hit.

To solve this, I needed a new desk and some storage solutions that would not only look good but also help me stay organized. I wanted something with extra features that would support my work-from-home lifestyle and make it easier to host friends. After browsing high-end online stores, I couldn't find exactly what I needed—a spacious standing desk with wheels, drawers, and compartments to hide messy cables, that could also double as a rolling bar or dining table when needed.

Customization on a Budget

That’s when I reached out to Derik. At first, I thought custom-made furniture would be too expensive, especially with all my specific requirements. But we talked about what I needed, took measurements, and discussed the design. I was surprised by the variety of wood options and colors available. He showed me some of his previous work, and I fell in love with the two-tone wood combinations and bold grain patterns. He even suggested making the desk the same height as my kitchen table so it could serve as extra seating, a floating bar, or anything else I wanted—what a great idea!

The best part? The price wasn’t as high as I expected. I chose zebra wood and tiger maple for a striking contrast. The desk he built for me was exactly what I wanted—perfect size, style, and function—without the hassle of assembly. It was a no-brainer.

Derik created the desk, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made! When I hosted my first party, everyone loved it. Plus, I absolutely enjoy working at my new desk. Now I have drawers (made of zebra wood, no less!) to store my laptops, notebooks, and papers when I'm not using them, and no more tangled wires. The best thing is that I can easily roll the desk around my apartment, work from any corner I like, and it just looks amazing.

Other Areas I Customized

Because I loved my new desk so much, I decided to get more pieces to match. I ordered kitchen shelves made of exotic purple heart wood to give me more space to display art and plants. I also got a large mirror with a zebra wood frame that brightens up my door and hallway, making the space feel much bigger. And I added a floating bathroom cabinet with zebra wood doors to match my desk. Everything was custom-built to fit my taste and needs. Now my apartment feels much larger and more organized, and I can keep everything in its place. Custom furniture really changed how I see my space—and I can honestly say it was worth every penny.