Bedrooms
Two Inviting Principal Suites Will Inspire You To Make Over Your Own
Updated on February 28, 2024
Transform your bedroom into a serene sanctuary with inspiration from these two looks.
Look #1: Cozy & Chic
Designer Emily Griffin pulled a switcheroo for her clients’ renovation — and they loved it. The owners, a couple with teenaged children, had decided that they wanted to stay for as long as possible in their east end Toronto house. This third-floor renovation was the last piece in the puzzle, and that meant reimagining the floor plan. The ceiling was raised by three feet, and a new, larger window overlooking the back garden amps up natural light.
Before: Emily removed a chimney and fireplace, swapped the bedroom with the bathroom, raised the ceiling, created a water closet on the landing and levelled out the floor (the incline meant the bedroom dresser drawers regularly slid open on a whim).
To save money, the toilet was kept in the same position and the new water closet was built around it. Emily had a picture frame made into a mirror.
Instead of designing a traditional layout, she separated the sleeping and bathing areas to accommodate different sleep and “getting ready” schedules.“By flipping the floor plan, the bedroom moved to the back of the house, where it’s much quieter,” says Emily. A bank of closets was added, with a set of doors opening to a small walk-in closet. The makeup station makes it fun to get ready for a night out; Emily splurged on the three-way custom mirror with integrated lighting.
Before: The cramped principal bathroom lacked privacy.
The rest of the house is very colorful, with lots of pattern and bold art, but this design brief was different. “My clients wanted utter serenity and a quiet palette,” says Emily. “They yearned for a place to chill out, recharge and escape.” The vanity’s Calacatta Monet marble counter was the jumping-off point for the overall palette. Unlacquered brass faucets pick up the gold tones in the marble.
A twisty pendant hovers over a sculptural tub. Angled walls meant that a big part of the budget had to go to custom millwork to create storage.
Before: The clients say that, in the old bedroom, items were always piled on top of the dresser, chair and bench.
The feeling is zen, and everything is hidden away so it’s always tidy. “There’s even a drawer for my husband to toss his wallet and pocket contents into at the end of the day,” says one owner. Finally, a small rear window in the bedroom was replaced with a larger, three-panel version. “Now, we get glorious evening sunsets up here on the third floor,” says the client. “It’s like being in a tree house.”
Look #2: Refined & Elegant
Homeowners Shonda Pierce and Michael Partridge had tackled other renovations in their circa-1988 midtown Toronto home, but they couldn’t put this project off any longer. They tapped Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens of TOM Design Studio for the principal suite makeover. The duo would normally complete a two-room reno like this in 12 weeks, but because of supply chain challenges during the pandemic, it took nine months. “The chaise is a great spot to read with a cup of tea and cosy blanket,” says Shonda.
Before: “In the bedroom, the furniture was lost in the room, and the vaulted ceiling was screaming for a light fixture,” says Shonda.
In their new bedroom, architectural distinction was added with surface-applied molding and built-ins. Shonda is excited to spend time in the rejuvenated space. “Everything about the rooms invites you to linger and enjoy,” she says.
Before: The tired, builder-basic space lacked dimension.
The designers kept the same footprint in the bedroom, but they audited the storage and upped the electrical so there was more lighting. The major change was injecting character into the builder-basic envelope via millwork and raised panelling. Lindsay came up with the nuanced color palette of three different shades.
Before: A dated vanity was stuck in the past and didn’t maximize counter space.
“We added elements that would deliver a dream ensuite with real luxury,” says Lindsay of the bathroom upgrades.
Though the shower orientation stayed the same, the tub was repositioned and fluted details were repeated on the vanities. “The door spends more time open than closed in an ensuite bathroom, so you’re experiencing the spaces together visually,” says Tommy. “If the two rooms don’t have a connection, you’ve failed the assignment.”
Before: “The bathroom finishes were dark and depressing, and it had no functional lighting,” says Shonda.
Donna Griffith & Virginia Macdonald
Griffin Houghton