Before & After
Renovating
An Unused Room Becomes a Stunning, Open-Plan Master Suite
See how an empty room was transformed into a master bedroom, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe that blends old and new
Transforming an empty and unloved room and a bathroom was all in a day’s work for interior designer Joanne Byrom at Interior Design By Jo. Here, she explains how she worked her magic in this space in a 1920s Queensland cottage and redesigned it as a delightful master bedroom, ensuite and a meticulously organised walk-in wardrobe.
The new floor plan
The client wanted an open, functional space with a contemporary feel that sat comfortably in the heritage home. This renovation took about five weeks to complete.
Find an interior designer on Houzz near you to redesign your home
The client wanted an open, functional space with a contemporary feel that sat comfortably in the heritage home. This renovation took about five weeks to complete.
Find an interior designer on Houzz near you to redesign your home
The original unused room
Before: This undecorated room had no fixed purpose before it was transformed into a master suite. The client wanted it redesigned as a fresh, modern space with a spacious bedroom, elegant bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe.
Before: This undecorated room had no fixed purpose before it was transformed into a master suite. The client wanted it redesigned as a fresh, modern space with a spacious bedroom, elegant bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe.
The client’s wish list included:
- New timber flooring.
- A walk-in shower.
- An overhead rain showerhead.
- Black bathroom fittings.
- Custom storage for shoes, ties and jewellery in the new walk-in wardrobe.
A view from the master bedroom into the new ensuite during works
“We removed the original wall between the original bathroom and unused room to connect the two spaces,” says Byrom. “We then completely gutted and renovated the bathroom.”
“We removed the original wall between the original bathroom and unused room to connect the two spaces,” says Byrom. “We then completely gutted and renovated the bathroom.”
After: “We wanted to create an open and contemporary space that would allow two people to comfortably access the different parts of the master suite at the same time,” says Byrom.
“We kept the existing VJ-panelled walls to retain the original character of the house.
“When it came to colours and textures in the ensuite and walk-in ’robe, we wanted to create a sense of luxury while ensuring the palette would work within a heritage-style building.” Byrom chose soft grey for the walls, white for the ceilings, and warm, mid-tone timber for the floors, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. Matt grey tiles and glossy white tiles in the ensuite add a touch of sophistication. “The black bathroom fittings finish off the space,” says Byrom.
“We kept the existing VJ-panelled walls to retain the original character of the house.
“When it came to colours and textures in the ensuite and walk-in ’robe, we wanted to create a sense of luxury while ensuring the palette would work within a heritage-style building.” Byrom chose soft grey for the walls, white for the ceilings, and warm, mid-tone timber for the floors, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. Matt grey tiles and glossy white tiles in the ensuite add a touch of sophistication. “The black bathroom fittings finish off the space,” says Byrom.
The original bathroom
Before: The small, outdated bathroom was only accessible from the hallway, and featured drab tiles and a poky shower.
“We built-in the original doorway connecting the bathroom to the hallway, so the only access would be from the new master bedroom,” says Byrom.
She enlarged the ensuite by extending the wall into the unused room. “The client already has a bathtub upstairs, so we used this space for a large, open shower area, which really suits the client’s lifestyle,” says Byrom.
Before: The small, outdated bathroom was only accessible from the hallway, and featured drab tiles and a poky shower.
“We built-in the original doorway connecting the bathroom to the hallway, so the only access would be from the new master bedroom,” says Byrom.
She enlarged the ensuite by extending the wall into the unused room. “The client already has a bathtub upstairs, so we used this space for a large, open shower area, which really suits the client’s lifestyle,” says Byrom.
After: Byrom selected a large-format, concrete-look tile for the floor and feature wall in the ensuite to add drama and a luxe feel to the space.
Two matching vanities were installed opposite each other. “This was initially done because we couldn’t fit a two-basin vanity into the space, but the client ended up being very happy with our solution,” says Byrom.
One of the biggest challenges was finding a way to conceal the hydraulic column where water and waste flowed from an upstairs bathroom. “In the end, we boxed it in and installed separate vanities,” says Byrom.
Cabinetry: European walnut melamine with matt finish by Polytec; vanity benchtops: Frozen Terra by Caesarstone; floor and feature-wall tiles: Pietra Grey porcelain matt 300 x 600-millimetre tiles by Marble Plus; Milli Glance tapware, radiant heated towel rail, Mizu Drift and Mizu Bloc showers, Roca Inspira basins, American Standard toilet: all Reece; Amsterdam mirrors: Tantra.
Two matching vanities were installed opposite each other. “This was initially done because we couldn’t fit a two-basin vanity into the space, but the client ended up being very happy with our solution,” says Byrom.
One of the biggest challenges was finding a way to conceal the hydraulic column where water and waste flowed from an upstairs bathroom. “In the end, we boxed it in and installed separate vanities,” says Byrom.
Cabinetry: European walnut melamine with matt finish by Polytec; vanity benchtops: Frozen Terra by Caesarstone; floor and feature-wall tiles: Pietra Grey porcelain matt 300 x 600-millimetre tiles by Marble Plus; Milli Glance tapware, radiant heated towel rail, Mizu Drift and Mizu Bloc showers, Roca Inspira basins, American Standard toilet: all Reece; Amsterdam mirrors: Tantra.
The original space that the walk-in wardrobe now occupies
Before: “We put a separating wall in the bedroom to create space for a new walk-in ’robe,” says Byrom.
The existing windows were given an upgrade with new custom-made Thermalite plantation shutters, which are water-resistant and suitable for wet rooms.
Before: “We put a separating wall in the bedroom to create space for a new walk-in ’robe,” says Byrom.
The existing windows were given an upgrade with new custom-made Thermalite plantation shutters, which are water-resistant and suitable for wet rooms.
The walk-in wardrobe was designed by Oz Wardrobes
After: A well-organised walk-in wardrobe was installed, with enough room for both occupants to comfortably use the space simultaneously.
The client was keen for the new walk-in wardrobe to blend in with the ensuite, so Byrom specified the same walnut cabinetry for both areas.
Walk-in wardrobe and built-in seat: European walnut melamine with matt finish by Polytec; seat upholstery: Flynn polyester/acrylic fabric in Ocean by Warwick Fabrics; flooring: solid blackbutt by Boral Timber.
After: A well-organised walk-in wardrobe was installed, with enough room for both occupants to comfortably use the space simultaneously.
The client was keen for the new walk-in wardrobe to blend in with the ensuite, so Byrom specified the same walnut cabinetry for both areas.
Walk-in wardrobe and built-in seat: European walnut melamine with matt finish by Polytec; seat upholstery: Flynn polyester/acrylic fabric in Ocean by Warwick Fabrics; flooring: solid blackbutt by Boral Timber.
A little dressing-room seat was installed between the wardrobe and ensuite where the owners can sit and put on their shoes. A cheery blue upholstery fabric turned it into an eye-catching feature.
“This fabric was chosen as the client was keen to bring some blue into the space and have something that would contrast with the timber cabinetry and white shutters,” says Byrom.
The little seat is practical too. “It has a hinged seat that conceals storage space beneath it,” she says.
“This fabric was chosen as the client was keen to bring some blue into the space and have something that would contrast with the timber cabinetry and white shutters,” says Byrom.
The little seat is practical too. “It has a hinged seat that conceals storage space beneath it,” she says.
“Using drawer dividers makes small items such as ties, jewellery and belts easy to find and prevents them for being lost or hidden,” says Byrom.
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this master suite as we are? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more bedroom inspiration? Don’t miss this Room of the Week: A Sexy and Sophisticated Main Bedroom Makeover
Are you as charmed by this master suite as we are? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more bedroom inspiration? Don’t miss this Room of the Week: A Sexy and Sophisticated Main Bedroom Makeover
Master Suite at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Paddington, Queensland
Size: The bedroom is 16 square metres, the ensuite measures 5.5 square metres, and the walk-in wardrobe is 7.5 square metres
Budget: Approximately $40,000
Most of the budget went on: The full renovation of the ensuite, including demolishing walls and reconfiguring the layout
Interior designer: Joanne Byrom, principal designer and owner of Interior Design By Jo
Builder: Bryce Ferguson at Multibuild Australia
Vanities and storage seat: A&W Kitchens
The large, unused room had an adjoining bathroom that was small, dated and accessible from the hallway.