Room of the Day: Guest Suite Welcomes Family and Friends
A freshened-up bedroom and expanded bathroom are as inviting as a suite in a luxurious hotel
Becky Harris
February 17, 2015
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Creating a welcoming guest suite for her adult son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and friends was a priority for this homeowner. In one of the two guest bedrooms of this Dallas ranch-style home, interior designer Dona Rosene repurposed existing pieces and added new ones to pull together a beautiful bedroom, then directed a bathroom renovation that created a truly luxurious suite.
Photos by Michael Hunter
Room at a Glance
What happens here: A woman’s family and friends enjoy a comfortable stay
Location: Dallas
Size: 11 by 13 feet (about 3 by 4 meters)
Rosene has worked for years with the homeowner, who would call on her to work on projects after earning bonuses at work. The designer had previously refreshed the guest room for the homeowner’s grandchildren.
Though the homeowner calls the room “Jason’s room,” after her son, plenty of her friends enjoy staying here as well. The rug is one the designer had picked out for the house years ago, and she planned this room’s design around it.
Wall paint: Breath of Fresh Air, Benjamin Moore
Room at a Glance
What happens here: A woman’s family and friends enjoy a comfortable stay
Location: Dallas
Size: 11 by 13 feet (about 3 by 4 meters)
Rosene has worked for years with the homeowner, who would call on her to work on projects after earning bonuses at work. The designer had previously refreshed the guest room for the homeowner’s grandchildren.
Though the homeowner calls the room “Jason’s room,” after her son, plenty of her friends enjoy staying here as well. The rug is one the designer had picked out for the house years ago, and she planned this room’s design around it.
Wall paint: Breath of Fresh Air, Benjamin Moore
BEFORE: Rosene repurposed this existing chair and desk with new paint, hardware and upholstery.
Specialty painter Mark Holden sanded, primed, sanded again and sprayed the desk with three coats of blue paint. Rosene searched far and wide for the perfect hardware, finally finding vintage brass pulls at local shop Uncommon Market.
Rosene re-covered the chair seat with a red fabric by Fabricut, called Chance, that plays off the bedding.
Tip: If artwork is looking tired or doesn’t seem to fit the room, have it rematted and reframed. The homeowner’s brother brought the three prints on the right back from Vietnam. Rosene freshened them up with new mats and frames. The antique map of France on the left is a family piece.
Desk paint: Lucerne with a satin finish, Benjamin Moore; desk lamp: Visual Comfort
Rosene re-covered the chair seat with a red fabric by Fabricut, called Chance, that plays off the bedding.
Tip: If artwork is looking tired or doesn’t seem to fit the room, have it rematted and reframed. The homeowner’s brother brought the three prints on the right back from Vietnam. Rosene freshened them up with new mats and frames. The antique map of France on the left is a family piece.
Desk paint: Lucerne with a satin finish, Benjamin Moore; desk lamp: Visual Comfort
The bench is a HomeGoods find. Its burlap upholstery and large nailhead trim add texture to the room.
Succulent arrangements: Robert-Lawrence Designs
Succulent arrangements: Robert-Lawrence Designs
The headboard and nightstands ground the bed with dark color, while the bedding lightens things up. The nightstands have marble inlay tops. The fluted table lamps work with other warm brass elements in the room, such as the nailhead trim, drawer pulls and desk lamp. The designer kept the budget in check by balancing saves and splurges. The paisley shams and duvet cover are both by Ralph Lauren, but she scooped them up at HomeGoods.
Tip: Rosene recommends finding lamps with dimmers for bedrooms. Both the nightstand lamps and desk lamp have dimmers, so that the lighting scheme can go from dark and moody to reading-light bright.
Red shams: Pottery Barn; lamps: Visual Comfort; headboard: Cost Plus World Market; nightstands: Theodore Alexander
Tip: Rosene recommends finding lamps with dimmers for bedrooms. Both the nightstand lamps and desk lamp have dimmers, so that the lighting scheme can go from dark and moody to reading-light bright.
Red shams: Pottery Barn; lamps: Visual Comfort; headboard: Cost Plus World Market; nightstands: Theodore Alexander
The dresser is new but has a timeless look. The doorway here is new and leads to the renovated bathroom.
Dresser: The David Gilbert Showroom
Dresser: The David Gilbert Showroom
BEFORE: The largest part of the renovation was redoing the guest bathroom. Rosene and the homeowner decided a second back door leading to the backyard was not necessary and took over this small hallway to expand the bathroom. The door on the right led to the bathroom.
AFTER: The angles between the photographs don’t quite match up. To orient you: The glass block window is where the back door used to be, and the new dresser-style vanity is where the shower stall was. Before, the bathroom was 8 feet by 5 feet; now it is 8 by 10.
A mirror glints against the aqua walls, while sconces add an antique feel.
If you look at the floor on the right side, you can see a small glass border tile detail. Rosene repeated the same glass tile in the shower niche.
How to Pick a Shower Niche That’s Not Stuck in a Rut
Sconces: Visual Comfort; wall paint: Chesapeake Blue, Benjamin Moore; vanity, toilet paper holder, toilet brush: Restoration Hardware; tile: Daltile; toilet: American Standard
If you look at the floor on the right side, you can see a small glass border tile detail. Rosene repeated the same glass tile in the shower niche.
How to Pick a Shower Niche That’s Not Stuck in a Rut
Sconces: Visual Comfort; wall paint: Chesapeake Blue, Benjamin Moore; vanity, toilet paper holder, toilet brush: Restoration Hardware; tile: Daltile; toilet: American Standard
The clear glass lets natural light into the entire room. A curbless entry creates a smooth transition between the shower stall and the rest of the bathroom floor.
The shower stall has a 1-inch by 1-inch coordinating marble tile floor. Rosene had 12-inch by 12-inch tiles cut in half to 12 inches by 6 inches for the shower walls. Note the waterfall detail on the shower bench.
The shower stall has a 1-inch by 1-inch coordinating marble tile floor. Rosene had 12-inch by 12-inch tiles cut in half to 12 inches by 6 inches for the shower walls. Note the waterfall detail on the shower bench.
The vanity is topped with Carrara marble that coordinates with the tile on the floor and the shower stall.
“One of the homeowner’s friends said this bathroom made her feel like she was staying at a fancy hotel,” says Rosene. The only problem the homeowner may have now is guests who never leave.
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Related Stories
Organizing
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Home Office
Follow these steps to get rid of the paper piles and make room for beauty and better organization
Full Story
Remodeling Guides
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
By tidgboutique
Use these pro tips to minimize noise, delineate space and establish personal boundaries in an open layout
Full Story
White
Design Pros Share 10 Favorite Creamy White Paints
By Becky Harris
These off-white color choices include versatile tones, warming hues and pleasingly soft shades
Full Story
Entryways
4 Designer Tips for a Fashionable Entry
By tidgboutique
A pro shows how adding color, statement pieces and more to a foyer can set the right tone for the rest of the home
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Living Rooms
4 Must-Have Features for a Small Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer shares important ways to live large in a tight space and make it look stylish
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid
Pros share solutions to design problems they often find in people’s living spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Decorate a Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer offers tips for creating a comfortable space that reflects your style
Full Story
Budget Decorating
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
By tidgboutique
See where it makes sense to invest in durable essentials and focal pieces, and where to economize on other things
Full Story
Lighting
Pro Tips for Lighting 10 Rooms and Outdoor Areas
Get professional advice for lighting your kitchen, bathroom, living room, office, patio and more
Full Story
What a great project with a heartwarming touch, too! We feel it's important to remember that when creating a guest suite, it's vital to maximize the space of the room. For example, if you selected a Murphy bed as a sleeping and storage solution, the floor space of the room would be maximized when the bed isn't in use. You could even transform the space into a hybrid home office/guest suite, which would provide any guest with a comfortable and connected (via WiFi :)) stay.
Here are a couple of ideas. Don't forget to let us know what you think!
Thanks!
_The Closet Factory Team
Beautiful bathroom! The bedroom has too much going on for me.
so pretty, although not my style.