Like so many of us, Boston-area homeowner and mom of two Phoebe Edmondson found herself reimagining her home after moving into a traditional colonial in 2023. With her boys, husband and beloved pup in tow, she was ready to take on the challenge of updating the outdated spaces one room at a time. 

Her design style? “Uncomplicated classic and always a pop of color and pattern,” she says. 

When it came to her home office, she wanted a room that felt bright, feminine and inspiring—a stark contrast to the dark, masculine before. “To be honest, I had my heart set on a green trim in this space,” she says. “When I saw Dirty Martini, I knew it was the one. Then Timeless complimented it so perfectly.” 

Before

After

The transformation was immediate: what once felt like a cave is now a light, fresh space where she can focus and create. Thinking about your own home office paint ideas? Here’s how she brought hers to life. 

1. Set the tone with paint. 

Since her office doesn’t get a lot of natural light until the afternoon, choosing the right colors was key. Timeless, a soft off-white, keeps the space airy and bright, especially in the mornings. To add personality, she framed the walls with Dirty Martini on the trim, giving the room just the right amount of color. “It completely transformed the space,” she says. “What felt closed-in and dark now feels fresh and inspiring.”

2. Coordinate with the details. 

Once the paint was in place, she layered it in complementary decor to tie the room together. A patterned rug with a touch of green echoes the trim, while woven window shades highlight the crisp lines of the Dirty Martini-painted windows. Even the chandelier lampshades were chosen to match the green trim, creating a cohesive look. The result is a polished yet personal home office that feels both classic and creative.

3. DIY your way. 

Armed with a steady hand and a reliable angled trim brush, she tackled the painting herself. “For special painting techniques, it’s all about patience,” she says. In fact, she’s no stranger to DIY projects—she’s even wallpapered every room in their home. 

Her advice? Don’t be afraid to try. “Paint is the quickest way to update a room without a full renovation,” she says. 

4. Design for inspiration. 

For her, the office needed to be more than functional—it had to spark creativity. By pairing a timeless neutral with an unexpected pop of green, she achieved a balance that feels elegant yet energizing. “It’s pretty and feminine, calm and inspiring,” she says.

It’s proof that the right home office paint ideas can do more than just refresh a room—they can transform the way you feel in it. 

Thinking about your own home office makeover? Explore our curated paint collection, from soft neutrals like Timeless to personality-packed shades like Dirty Martini and find the perfect pairing for your space.