B E D R O O M S & B A T H S 2 0 1 1 5 9

The Master Suite

P H O T O G R A P H B Y M E L A N I E J O H N S O N P H O T O G R A P H Y

WHAT’S A MARRIED COUPLE TO DO when their dissimilar aesthetics start competing for space in a smallmaster suite? Call in a pro, of course! Texas-based interior designer Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25 steppedup to the challenge and transformed this couple’s cramped room into a cozy yet fashionable, dreamy retreat.

Rain-Washed Wonder

With itssubtle touch ofcreamy yellow, theaccent chair helpedbrighten thecorner.

GOAL:

Design a master suite with atranquil, spa-like ambience.

PRIMARY CHALLENGES:

• Merging two disparatedecorating styles seamlessly.

• Creating the illusion of spacewithin small quarters.

According to Abbe, “Thereading nook was a must for thisroom.” A garden stool,funky throw pillows andcolorful art add awhimsical touch.

“Simple whitedrapes make the roomlook larger and moreopen,” Abbe says. “And theupholstered headboard

softens the harsh cornersof the otherfurniture.”

Mixing a

complementary

assortment of graphic-print

throw pillows adds life to the

room without overwhelming the

design, while the pin-tucked

bedding creates much-needed

texture in the small space,

Abbe notes.

“The headboard was the first piece we

added to the room,” says Abbe. “Weused a simple beige linen

fabric and added nailheads fora tailored look.”

“This couple

has two dogs,” says

Abbe. “These prints were

a fun way to keep the

mood light and casual

in the room.”

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From small and stylish to large and luxurious, twointerior designers share their approaches tocreating beautiful and well-designed master suites.

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“We took the dark, clean-lined furniture thathe liked and brought inthe glam factor thatshe wanted,” says Abbe of

incorporating two different, distinct

decorating styles into this small

master suite.

Mirrored tops

on the nightstands,

clear lamps and a

decorative mirror reflect

light, which helps make

the space look

bigger.

To help createthe spa-likeatmosphere, Abbepainted the bedroom andbathroom in Sherwin-Williams’ Rainwashedblue (SW6211).

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B E D R O O M S & B A T H S 2 0 1 1 6 3

“A customwhite cottonRoman shade softensthe large window overthe jetted bathtub,”says Abbe.

“We added an

oversized mirror to open

up the small bathroom and to

give it some weight with the

warm espresso color,” Abbe says.

The mirror also incorporates a

bit of a darker, masculine

aesthetic into the light,

airy space.

An elegantchandelieradds a touchof class in this

otherwise casual,

laidback master

bathroom.

To keep the flow of the

master suite consistent

from bedroom to

bathroom, Abbeused thesame colorscheme inboth spaces.

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WITH HIGH CEILINGS AND A COLD AMBIENCE, this large but lackluster master suite—a c. 1970sadd-on to an otherwise charming Mediterranean-style home—left much to be desired. LosAngeles interior designer Felicia Bushman was tasked with transforming the uninspiring spaceinto a warm and welcoming getaway with just a touch of luxury.

Luxurious Comfort

GOAL:

• Cultivate a warm, intimate atmosphere in a spacious high-ceilinged master bedroom.• Create a seamless flow between the separate spaces of the master suite.

PRIMARY CHALLENGES:

• Modifying the feel of a long, narrow hallway connecting the rooms of the mastersuite—without altering the home’s footprint.

• Designing a traditional, sophisticated suite for the adults, while keeping the spaceapproachable and family-friendly for the kids.

Master bedroom before

P H O T O G R A P H C O U R T E S Y

O F F E L I C I A B U S H M A N

“We designed this suite to be more

elegant than the rest of the family

spaces in the home,” says Felicia. “But

we didn’t want there to be a complete

disconnect from keeping the home

comfortable and approachable. This isthe parent’s sanctuary, butevery Sunday morning theyspend some PJ time with thekids in their master suite.”

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A tufted velvet armchair in sage green blends

perfectly with a chaise lounge upholstered in a

neutral shade. A solid-colored throwblanket and graphic-print throw

pillows add balance and harmony.

“I like tocreate a spa

ce for

parents to recharge from

their hectic family schedule,”

Felicia says. “It needs a bit of luxury

so they can ‘get away’ even if it’s just

for a short time in their own

personal sanctuary. The space

should include a lounge area

for quiet reading or adult

conversation.”

P H O T O G R A P H B Y M I C H A E L B E Z J I A N

The long, narrow hallwayof the master suite was

dark and oppressivebefore Felicia workedher design magic.

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“We addedmoldings to bring

in the detail and moldings

on the ceiling,” Felicia says.

“We also used varying shades

of paint color to bring the

ceiling down visually in order

to create a more intimate

feeling.”

“We couldn’tchange the [hallway]footprint without expensive

construction,” says Felicia. “So we

opened the entry to each room with

large archways and custom-made two

huge arching mirrors for the corridor

walls opposite the bathroom andwalk-in closet. Visually, as you walkthrough the hallway from space

to space, it feels open andenlarged.”

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His and her sinks in this built-in vanity provide plenty of elbow room, while thecombination of dark wood cabinetry, natural textures, a subduedcolor palette and marble and gold accents adds to the luxuriousfeel of the master bathroom.

SEE SHOPPING GUIDE, PAGE 94

“I always make

sure countertops are a

solid stone or marble

rather than tile,” notes Felicia.

“There’s nothing worse than always

having to keep grout lines clean.

When using tile on walls, I use

smaller grout lines so that the

stone or tile can be the star of

the show—not the grout

lines.”

“I prefer to

keep permanent

f ixtures classic and

elegant because they are costly

to purchase and to install,” Felicia

says. “You can change paint color,

linen and window treatments

without incurring much cost, but

you want the major design

elements to stand the test

of time.”Thecombination ofrecessed lighting in theshower, general overhead

lighting and sconce lighting onthe vanity mirror ensures thatthe master bathroom staysbright without giving offa harsh glare.

This spacious state-of-the-art glass showerfeatures a hand-held shower

faucet, a fixed showerhead andother comforts.

P H O T O G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F F E L I C I A B U S H M A N

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P H O T O G R A P H B Y M I C H A E L B E Z J I A N

Felicia Bushman offers her top tips for main-taining a stylish yet livable master bedroom:

• Invest in the best quality linens. Egyptian cotton in 1020 thread count, thoughexpensive, is worth every penny.

• Lose excess decorative throw pillows on the bed. Who wants another chore atbedtime?

• Have a drawer or two in the nightstands reserved to collect clutter, ratherthan allowing items to gather on surfaces.

• Develop lighting to set moods and scenes. For example, create separate light-ing on both sides of the bed so that one person can read while the other per-son sleeps.

• Set all lighting to turn on and off with one switch. Lamps are great for softerarea lighting, but make sure that you have a switch to one side of each outletthat controls all of the lights with a single flip of the button. And put all light-ing on dimmers.

• Place blackout options on windows. You may not think you need them, buteventually you will.

• Use thick, plush carpet or area rugs for that extra luxurious feeling underfoot.

Suite

Tips

Master bedroom before