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 by customizing her furniture to maximize both function and style.

Time to Upgrade

I've been living in my midtown studio for the last four years, which I affectionately call my "glorified dorm room." One day, while sitting at my IKEA desk and chair—both visible from every corner of the place—I realized it was time to say goodbye to the cheap, cluttered furniture that had taken over my home. These were the shelves and desks from Target or IKEA, assembled with those tiny L-shaped wrenches. I had become so used to seeing them that I didn't even notice how they made my space feel cheap and uninviting.

As a tech worker with a flexible work-from-home schedule, I needed my space to be not only stylish but also highly functional. Spending so much time at home means I need everything to be neat and organized. Even one item out of place can make the whole place look like a tornado hit it.

To tackle this, I decided to invest in some high-quality, custom-made furniture that would not only look great but also help me stay organized. I wanted a desk with wheels, drawers, and compartments to hide all the messy cables, and on special occasions, it could easily convert into a rolling bar or dining table. After browsing several high-end stores online, I couldn’t find the perfect piece that met all my needs.

Customization on a Budget

That’s when I reached out to Derik. At first, I thought custom furniture would be too expensive, especially with all my specific requirements. But after discussing what I needed, taking measurements, and talking about the look and feel, I was amazed by the options available. He showed me some of his previous work, and I fell in love with the two-tone wood combinations and striking grain patterns. He even suggested making the desk as tall as my kitchen table so it could double 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 unique contrast. The desk he designed for me was exactly what I wanted—perfect height, size, and style—for the same price I would have paid for an off-the-shelf desk that didn’t meet most of my needs and required assembly. It was a no-brainer.

Derik made the desk, and it was the best decision I ever made! When I hosted my first party, everyone raved about it. Plus, I love working at it now. I finally have drawers (zebra wood, no less) to store my laptops, notebooks, and papers when I'm not using them, and there are no more messy wires. The best part is that I can roll the desk around my place easily and work from any corner I like—it’s fun to look at, too.

Other Areas I Customized

Because I loved the desk so much, we moved on to other pieces that matched it perfectly. We added kitchen shelves made of exotic purple heart wood to give me more space to display artwork and plants. I also got a large mirror with a zebra wood frame that brightens up my door and hallway, making the place feel much bigger. And I added a floating bathroom cabinet with zebra wood doors to match my desk. Everything was built to fit my taste and preferences. Now my place feels so much bigger and better, with more style and utility, and I can keep everything much more organized. Having custom-made furniture really changed the way I see my space, and I have to say it's been worth every penny.