Everyone knows the satisfaction of retail therapy. The good juju continues once the fashionista behind this dream closet gets home. Jill Tran of Tran + Thomas Design Studio captured unused space beneath a staircase for a quiet nook.

“It’s a great little space to sit and gather new purchases from your bags, admire them, and take the tags off,” Tran says. She always pictured her client laying out the perfect dress with heels and jewelry for a special occasion. It’s also a place for a girlfriend or mom to sit while she’s getting ready.

A pretty, pulled-back curtain entices the use of a cushioned bench, surrounded by shell wallpaper and a sconce that makes the space glow. Should anyone require privacy for a few moments, the curtain can be let down. Deep drawers provide storage underneath.

More than a clever use of overlooked square footage, the nook transforms an everyday routine into a small luxury—a place where the excitement of a new purchase lingers just a little longer.

See the rest of the home on page 276.