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Before & After
Before & After: A Drab Master Suite Goes Coastal Chic
See how a designer transformed a bedroom – plus what made the process easier for the client (hint: it's great software)
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
The bedroom before works
Brief
This master-suite redesign was part of a whole apartment renovation.
The brief was to update and modernise the home and to reconfigure the floor plan for greater ease, flow and storage. The client also wanted to make the home suitable for a luxury holiday rental.
Considering redoing your own master suite? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
Brief
This master-suite redesign was part of a whole apartment renovation.
The brief was to update and modernise the home and to reconfigure the floor plan for greater ease, flow and storage. The client also wanted to make the home suitable for a luxury holiday rental.
Considering redoing your own master suite? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
What wasn’t working for the client about the original master suite?
It was a disproportionate space; the ensuite was oversize, the bedroom was undersize and there was inadequate wardrobe space.
It was a disproportionate space; the ensuite was oversize, the bedroom was undersize and there was inadequate wardrobe space.
The original wardrobes
Starting point
The floor plan. We sought to better configure the layout of the three zones (bedroom, ensuite and walk-through wardrobe) within this space, and provide a functional connection between them.
What look and feel did you want to create?
A feeling of high-end luxury, but without the fuss. The home needed to appeal to the luxury holidaymaker, but also be practical and functional.
Starting point
The floor plan. We sought to better configure the layout of the three zones (bedroom, ensuite and walk-through wardrobe) within this space, and provide a functional connection between them.
What look and feel did you want to create?
A feeling of high-end luxury, but without the fuss. The home needed to appeal to the luxury holidaymaker, but also be practical and functional.
Key design aspects
Colour palette
Greige, pale grey, American oak and white, which create a serene feel. Our focus was on introducing texture to the space rather than colour.
Materials palette
Colour palette
Greige, pale grey, American oak and white, which create a serene feel. Our focus was on introducing texture to the space rather than colour.
Materials palette
- A textured wallpaper on the bedroom walls.
- Soft grey melamine in a matt finish for the wardrobe.
- Lacquered American oak for the ensuite vanity, which we also featured in a small section of the wardrobe.
The ensuite before works
What made this project harder?
There is a pitched ceiling in the master bedroom, which we had to work around when placing the wallpaper. There was also a linen cupboard on the other side of the ensuite that dictated a
step-in within the floor plan.
Being an apartment, we also couldn’t move the plumbing.
What made this project harder?
There is a pitched ceiling in the master bedroom, which we had to work around when placing the wallpaper. There was also a linen cupboard on the other side of the ensuite that dictated a
step-in within the floor plan.
Being an apartment, we also couldn’t move the plumbing.
Did anything make it easier?
Yes, Houzz Pro software. It
allowed us to seek our client’s approval for every item we selected for this project, issue purchase orders for all items for order, and track payments, deliveries and invoicing efficiently. This ensured that nothing was omitted and our client was kept fully informed every step of the way.
Being able to automatically populate a complete purchase order list from an approved design proposal is a game changer for us – it saves us an enormous amount of time in duplication, and ensures that every approved item goes to order, without the risk of anything being forgotten.
Yes, Houzz Pro software. It
allowed us to seek our client’s approval for every item we selected for this project, issue purchase orders for all items for order, and track payments, deliveries and invoicing efficiently. This ensured that nothing was omitted and our client was kept fully informed every step of the way.
Being able to automatically populate a complete purchase order list from an approved design proposal is a game changer for us – it saves us an enormous amount of time in duplication, and ensures that every approved item goes to order, without the risk of anything being forgotten.
The ensuite before works
How did it make life easier for your clients?
They were able to see every item we selected on Houzz Pro room boards.
And as they were able to access their project dashboard at any time during the project, they could view paid and unpaid proposals and invoices and see the financial position of their project relative to the overall budget.
How did it make life easier for your clients?
They were able to see every item we selected on Houzz Pro room boards.
And as they were able to access their project dashboard at any time during the project, they could view paid and unpaid proposals and invoices and see the financial position of their project relative to the overall budget.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture and fixtures in the ensuite
We always position bathroom fixtures for functionality first, and design around these essential elements.
Paint colours
Taubmans Crisp White to the bedroom, walk-through wardrobe and ensuite walls.
Fittings
Brushed brass tapware.
Browse more images of contemporary bathrooms on Houzz
We always position bathroom fixtures for functionality first, and design around these essential elements.
Paint colours
Taubmans Crisp White to the bedroom, walk-through wardrobe and ensuite walls.
Fittings
Brushed brass tapware.
Browse more images of contemporary bathrooms on Houzz
How did you create cohesion between the three ‘zones’?
We kept the colour palette neutral throughout to allow the spaces to merge seamlessly into each other.
We ran the carpet from the bedroom through to the walk-through wardrobe connecting these two spaces. We also introduced a soft pink patterned wallpaper behind the bathroom vanity, which aligned with the dusty pink bed linen and scatter cushions in the bedroom.
Each of these three spaces has a defined colour palette, but all tie in beautifully together.
We kept the colour palette neutral throughout to allow the spaces to merge seamlessly into each other.
We ran the carpet from the bedroom through to the walk-through wardrobe connecting these two spaces. We also introduced a soft pink patterned wallpaper behind the bathroom vanity, which aligned with the dusty pink bed linen and scatter cushions in the bedroom.
Each of these three spaces has a defined colour palette, but all tie in beautifully together.
Why do you think this room works?
Each of the three spaces within the master suite are now zoned, beautifully connected and proportionate to one another.
Previously there was insufficient wardrobe space for two, and a long roundabout entry into the ensuite. Adding the walk-through wardrobe to this room also created a lovely long entry hall into the master bedroom, fostering a feeling of privacy and separation from the rest of the home.
Your turn
What is your favourite feature in this new design? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see more before & after projects? Check out this Before & After: A Frumpy Kitchen Reborn as a Contemporary Space
Each of the three spaces within the master suite are now zoned, beautifully connected and proportionate to one another.
Previously there was insufficient wardrobe space for two, and a long roundabout entry into the ensuite. Adding the walk-through wardrobe to this room also created a lovely long entry hall into the master bedroom, fostering a feeling of privacy and separation from the rest of the home.
Your turn
What is your favourite feature in this new design? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see more before & after projects? Check out this Before & After: A Frumpy Kitchen Reborn as a Contemporary Space
Answers by Donna Guyler, creative director at Donna Guyler Design
Who lives here: A family with two children
Location: Byron Bay, NSW
Room purpose and size: A master suite with a walk-through wardrobe and ensuite that measures an approximate total of 32 square metres. The bedroom is about 20 square metres, the ensuite 7.2 square metres and the walk-in wardrobe is five square metres.