A New Master Suite

A master bedroom is your personal sanctuary where you begin and end your day. With long work schedules and commutes, we count on our private spaces to re-energize us and comfort us at the end of a long day.  

When this homeowner decided to update their master suite there were two things they knew they wanted, one was a view to their garden and two was an accessible shower.   

I had already worked with them on previous projects, presenting them with new window ideas, details, finishes and textures and a color scheme that reflected their love of garden colors. A scale model of the room and ceiling helped them visualize their new master suite. Taking the next step wasn’t a problem. The solution was just what they wanted and more.

Here are some tips to get started with your project:

• Select a Certified Interior Designer (CID) to work with you. A CID is certified in the State of California and qualified by education, experience, and examination.  

• Evaluate your existing space for light, view, storage or accessibility problems.  

• Collect photos of things you like.

• Work with your wish list. Sometimes an idea can be achieved in different ways. Keep an open mind to new materials and ideas.  

• Develop a budget range. Make sure your finances are in order including your home equity line of credit.  

• Spend “up-front” time planning. This will help reduce stress, unnecessary design revisions and change orders.

• Check with the building department for applicable codes.  

• Consider keeping your master suite on the first floor for accessibility.  

• Consider automatic sensor faucets in bathrooms, hand-held showers, wall-hung toilets—deep soaking bathtubs can offer therapeutic benefits.

• Add blocking behind walls in a bathroom for “grab” bars.

• Consider planning wider doorways, and using levers for doors “and cabinetry hardware for ease of use.  

• Consider where you will live during construction.

• Plan for success…take time to get completed plans and specifications.  

• Determine start and finish dates and have a written production schedule.  

Remember, good design is always beautiful, regardless of the specialty you’re designing for. A house should be designed not just “for who you are today, but also for the person you’ll become tomorrow.