Step into the office

Story by Sheila Paz

We hear a lot about dream homes in the Lowcountry, but what about dream offices? Not the gray-carpet, fluorescent-light kind — we’re talking spaces that spark creativity, showcase personality and make you feel like you’ve just walked into a boutique hotel or art studio. In this feature, we step inside two refreshingly original workspaces: one that’s calm, coastal and “FUN-ctional,” and another that feels more like a backstage concert venue than a boardroom. Together, they prove that when it comes to office design, rules are made to be broken.

Work, but make it fun

Beverly Serral, founder of Beverly Serral Properties and BESTNEST on Hilton Head Island, didn’t want a typical office. No stiff chairs. No corporate gray. Her goal? A place that’s organized but doesn’t take itself too seriously. She calls it her “FUN-ctional” office, a nickname that fits like a glove. Clean white shiplap walls, wide-plank wood floors and a crisp quartz reception desk set a bright, inviting tone. A woven bench adds natural texture, while abstract art and a statement chandelier inject a dose of fun. Every detail is intentional, from the uncluttered layout to the soft rug. 

A bright hello

Sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, wrapping the space in warmth and setting a cheerful, welcoming tone from the moment you walk in. The seating area feels more like a cozy lounge than a lobby, with soft linen chairs, punchy green pillows and a round table topped with fresh palm fronds. Overhead, a bold chandelier made of black steel, sparkling crystals and smooth stone beads steals the show. It’s the kind of entrance that makes you want to stay awhile.

A sense of humor goes a long way

Beverly believes your workspace should make you smile, so she filled the office with art that does just that. One standout piece is Tipping the Waiter Barbie by David Parise, a cheeky poolside scene featuring vintage Barbies and a very glamorous moment with a tray of martinis. It was a birthday gift that now adds a pop of color, a wink of nostalgia and a lot of personality to the space. Paired with black-and-white photography and bold butterfly prints down the hall, the vibe is polished with a playful twist, just like Beverly herself.

Comfort, not conference

This isn’t your average meeting room. With its plush linen swivel chairs, sun-washed wood table topped with glass and soft hide-print rug, the space feels more like a stylish lounge than a boardroom. A framed vintage map of the Lowcountry adds a sense of place, while the beachy photo of a retro Woody Wagon channels laid-back coastal charm. A vase of fresh greenery and warm ambient lighting complete the scene: casual, collected and ready for ideas to flow.

Creativity lives here

Over at 9Rooftops, a marketing agency in Bluffton known for thinking big, the office follows suit. It’s part workspace, part brainstorm lab and nothing like a cube farm. Right from the entrance, you’re met with bold choices, like a mural by Todd Pinkham and a life-size Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons. The team calls their approach “truth in materials,” which means showing off things like exposed plywood, cement blocks and metal details instead of covering them up. Skylights bring in natural light and help avoid that office-in-a-box feeling.

Brainstorms and backbeats

This space may be labeled a conference room, but it’s got more jam session energy than boardroom vibes. Known as the “Backstage” room, it’s outfitted with stacked road cases, a drum kit, guitars and bold lighting that feels straight off a tour set. White throne-style chairs circle up around a cozy lounge area, while a foosball table and ping pong setup keep ideas and energy bouncing. The marquee sign says it best: Obedience gets you nowhere.

Ideas on the walls

This office doesn’t believe in cubicles or convention. Instead, a full gallery wall of vibrant posters sets the tone: bold, eclectic and bursting with personality. A surfboard leans casually in the corner, terrariums and design books crowd a rolling cart-turned-coffee-table, and the oversized sectional invites team huddles that feel more like hangouts. With every surface, shelf and seat pulling its weight, this space turns inspiration into a full-time job.

Fuel for thought

This kitchen doesn’t fade into the background, it stands out. Electric blue, high-gloss cabinets light up the space, bouncing color off raw concrete floors and a backdrop of unfinished OSB wood. Sleek steel appliances complete the industrial-meets-modern vibe. It’s equal parts break room and brainstorm zone, where bold ideas are brewed alongside the coffee.