When it came time for Boston-area designer Kristina Crestin to move her small firm into a new office, she set her sights on the train station. No, she wasn’t trying to leave town, but instead hoping to restore a bit of history to a once-bustling building. The structure, located in the small beach town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, had first served as the rail station for Boston’s beach goers, but had been vacant for many years. In 2015, Kristina and her team were given the chance to renovate the the second floor, giving Kristina Crestin Design a more permanent home.

First, Kristina divided the space into two main areas: a conference room and a workspace. Using a half wall (made of shiplap and installed by her husband) and a dramatic panel-window system, the space is private yet open all at once. In the conference area is a long table, designed by Kristina and created by local builder 60 Nobscot Home. Soon after, Kristina was on the prowl for the perfect set of chairs. On a whim, she stopped into an antique store in Ipswich, and 12 black Bertoia chairs were there… almost waiting for her. Above, two glass pendants add a dose of calming color.

Along the wall, Kristina used IKEA’s popular PAX closet system for storage — housing samples, finishes, a fabric library, jewelry pull out trays with hardware, cabinet knobs, metal finishes, and catalogs. Below the window, a console table receives a second life: it was originally her client’s and destined for the dump. She gave it a fresh coat of paint and it now offers more storage for the busy studio.

In Kristina’s office, the Oly Studio Faline table takes center stage. It had been on her wish list for years, and was the only piece that was a must-have. Above the desk is a vibrant painting by Christina Baker, highlighting the colors the firm uses most.

However, the stairwell may be Kristina’s favorite spot in the entire space. A turquoise stag, affectionately known as Bucky, watches over a gallery wall that shows off some of the designer’s favorite projects and press clippings. We can’t help but notice there’s room for the gallery to grow, which is a good thing for the talented designer. We have a feeling she and her team are just getting started.

Start the slideshow for a closer look and details on the products you see.