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Room Of The Week
Room of the Week: A Brilliant Attic Conversion for a Pre-Teen
Smart joinery solutions, a luxurious walk-in wardrobe and a roomy ensuite create the ultimate pre-teen's attic retreat
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
What was your brief?
To create a bedroom with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe for the client’s growing child, while maximising space on the tight site.
To create a bedroom with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe for the client’s growing child, while maximising space on the tight site.
How did Houzz help with this project?
This was the second time we had worked with this particular client.
We shared a Houzz Ideabook with them where they could save and show us the images they liked. This helped us develop the vision for this attic space.
Thinking of going up? Find a local architect on Houzz to chat through your options
This was the second time we had worked with this particular client.
We shared a Houzz Ideabook with them where they could save and show us the images they liked. This helped us develop the vision for this attic space.
Thinking of going up? Find a local architect on Houzz to chat through your options
Attic before works.
What was the attic like originally?
It was not habitable, so the family didn’t use it.
What was the attic like originally?
It was not habitable, so the family didn’t use it.
Attic before works.
What was your starting point for the new design?
To maximise space, liveability, and natural light while adhering to council and conservation-area controls, all while optimising the view towards the jacaranda tree outside.
What was your starting point for the new design?
To maximise space, liveability, and natural light while adhering to council and conservation-area controls, all while optimising the view towards the jacaranda tree outside.
Attic conversion floor plan.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
To maximise space, the new stairs leading to the attic were designed to rise in the direction of the existing roof pitch, and the joinery and bedhead are positioned partially beneath the roof pitch.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
To maximise space, the new stairs leading to the attic were designed to rise in the direction of the existing roof pitch, and the joinery and bedhead are positioned partially beneath the roof pitch.
Tell us about the new staircase
We designed a mono-stringer staircase in the same light-honey timber tone as the attic and in the study below it to visually tie the two spaces together.
A glass handrail with a recessed strip light illuminates the steps and provides safety, without blocking natural light.
We designed a mono-stringer staircase in the same light-honey timber tone as the attic and in the study below it to visually tie the two spaces together.
A glass handrail with a recessed strip light illuminates the steps and provides safety, without blocking natural light.
The new attic walk-in wardrobe.
What are the main elements of the colour palette?
Light timber joinery and floors, white walls and black bathroom fittings.
Browse more images on Houzz of beautiful walk-in wardrobes with touches of timber
What are the main elements of the colour palette?
Light timber joinery and floors, white walls and black bathroom fittings.
Browse more images on Houzz of beautiful walk-in wardrobes with touches of timber
The new attic ensuite.
Did you add windows?
Yes, we added a dormer window in the attic ensuite, facing the street, and a wide window with louvres above the built-in daybed, facing the backyard.
A window on either side of the space promotes cross ventilation to keep the space cool and comfortable.
Did you add windows?
Yes, we added a dormer window in the attic ensuite, facing the street, and a wide window with louvres above the built-in daybed, facing the backyard.
A window on either side of the space promotes cross ventilation to keep the space cool and comfortable.
What challenges did you have to work around?
The site is in a heritage conservation area, therefore there were strict restrictions relating to the new addition.
Sections of the existing roof are also too low to be deemed habitable, therefore the design needed to revolve around these constraints.
The site is in a heritage conservation area, therefore there were strict restrictions relating to the new addition.
Sections of the existing roof are also too low to be deemed habitable, therefore the design needed to revolve around these constraints.
The new built-in daybed below the window (mattress not pictured) and desk.
Tell us about the joinery
The attic joinery consists of:
Tell us about the joinery
The attic joinery consists of:
- A custom-made bed with side tables on both sides.
- A pull-out guest bed under the main bed.
- A built-in daybed under the window with a pull-out out drawer to store an extra mattress (for sleepovers).
- A built-in desk connected to the daybed, with storage shelving underneath it.
- A wall niche for display above the daybed.
The joinery comprising the new built-in bed (mattress not pictured).
Why do you think this space works?
It provides a well-functioning, self-contained addition that maintains the building’s original character when viewed from the street. It maximises the space available in the attic through clever joinery design, and also promotes sustainable design with cross ventilation through the attic.
Why do you think this space works?
It provides a well-functioning, self-contained addition that maintains the building’s original character when viewed from the street. It maximises the space available in the attic through clever joinery design, and also promotes sustainable design with cross ventilation through the attic.
Key design aspects
Materials palette:
Materials palette:
- Joinery in Navurban Diamond with a White Mountain Oak finish from New Age Veneers.
- Staircase in Havwoods Aspen Raw engineered Light Oak.
- Better Tiles Oxidatio tiles in Vanadium on ensuite floors.
- Better Tiles Oxidatio tiles in Titanium on ensuite walls.
- Reece Issy Blossom mirror cabinet.
- Reece Issy vanity in Charcoal Oak.
Your turn
What do you love about this space and the thinking behind it? 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
Don’t miss this impressive transformation of an attic space in this Room of the Week: A Stylish UK Nursery Comes of Age
What do you love about this space and the thinking behind it? 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
Don’t miss this impressive transformation of an attic space in this Room of the Week: A Stylish UK Nursery Comes of Age
Who lives here: A couple with an 11-year-old child
Location: Paddington, NSW
Room purpose and size: An attic retreat measuring around 29 square metres for a soon-to-be teenager, with space for a bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.
Architect and interior designer: Nathalie Scipioni, architect and director at Nathalie Scipioni Architects