Room of the Day: An Upstairs Suite Makes Room for Family
Efficient space planning, increased storage and light finishes transform an underutilized second floor
A Portland, Oregon, couple with a new baby knew that their master suite dormer possessed valuable living space, but its poor floor plan, lack of storage and somber finishes fell short. Working with architect Jenny Guggenheim, the couple hoped to create a more efficient upstairs that could accommodate their newborn while better channeling their personal style. “They used the words light and bright a lot,” Guggenheim says.
AFTER: Guggenheim shrunk the master bedroom to make it feel more intimate and to create space for more upstairs features. Custom paneling made from reclaimed redwood fencing also warms up the room and doubles as a headboard for the couple’s bed. “The client wanted wood with character,” Guggenheim says. The wood was cut to fit the wall, sanded and given a clear, low-sheen finish.
Wood paneling: Meridian Hardwood Floors
Wood paneling: Meridian Hardwood Floors
New custom maple nightstands flank the bed, and conveniently placed light switches control bedside pendants.
Pendant light: Caravaggio, Lightyears
Pendant light: Caravaggio, Lightyears
A new upstairs nursery for the couple’s infant now occupies the space leftover by the master bedroom reduction.
When designing the upstairs layout, Guggenheim and the homeowners thought about adjacencies and how rooms connected. They put the nursery close to the master bedroom for convenience, and farthest from the bathroom to buffer the sound of the pumps and plumbing.
The carpeting was upgraded to wool — high quality and hypoallergenic.
Pendant light: Coral, David Trubridge
When designing the upstairs layout, Guggenheim and the homeowners thought about adjacencies and how rooms connected. They put the nursery close to the master bedroom for convenience, and farthest from the bathroom to buffer the sound of the pumps and plumbing.
The carpeting was upgraded to wool — high quality and hypoallergenic.
Pendant light: Coral, David Trubridge
BEFORE: The upstairs is arranged along a long hallway, with built-in storage along one wall, and the bathroom and master bedroom along the other.
Before the renovation, the built-in closets accommodated a few clothes on hangers and a few folded items on shelves. The ceiling’s slope wasted precious space, and the open storage looked cluttered and unorganized.
Before the renovation, the built-in closets accommodated a few clothes on hangers and a few folded items on shelves. The ceiling’s slope wasted precious space, and the open storage looked cluttered and unorganized.
AFTER: Guggenheim extended the hallway’s storage dramatically, demolishing the existing closets and building new ones to recapture some of the sloped ceiling space. Drawers hold folded items, shoes and jewelry, and the new closets to the right of the drawers store hanging items. “The storage wall really solved a problem for them,” Guggenheim says. It not only concealed more belongings, but it also provided an attractive layer of detail.
Guggenheim enhanced the hallway’s natural light with lots of white surfaces, pale wood flooring and borrowed light from adjacent rooms. The frosted glass doors are the only source of natural light in the hall, but they keep the space bright throughout the day.
The homeowner designed the bench, which was built by a friend.
Guggenheim enhanced the hallway’s natural light with lots of white surfaces, pale wood flooring and borrowed light from adjacent rooms. The frosted glass doors are the only source of natural light in the hall, but they keep the space bright throughout the day.
The homeowner designed the bench, which was built by a friend.
Cutouts in the doors and drawers take the place of knobs and pulls throughout the remodel. “[They were] inspired by Scandinavian design,” Guggenheim says, pointing out that the cutouts streamline the closets and reduce the chance of catching clothing on a protruding handle.
AFTER: The bathroom’s new built-in cabinets and shelves store laundry hampers and linens. Lighter finishes perk up the room, and a pocket door saves space.
Opposite the storage wall, the bathroom’s original Ikea sinks and faucets sit atop a custom maple vanity, which provides storage and echoes the master bedroom’s maple nightstands.
The bathroom also ties back to the master bedroom through the salvaged redwood wall paneling. A concealed medicine cabinet opens with a touch latch.
Simple finishes and limited materials contributed to the look the homeowners sought and helped keep the budget in check. Instead, the couple put more money toward the operation of the space in the form of quiet hardware and high-quality glass doors. “They were willing to carry more expense on items that would have a big impact,” Guggenheim says.
Wall sconces: Aurora, The Good Flock; sinks: Ikea
The bathroom also ties back to the master bedroom through the salvaged redwood wall paneling. A concealed medicine cabinet opens with a touch latch.
Simple finishes and limited materials contributed to the look the homeowners sought and helped keep the budget in check. Instead, the couple put more money toward the operation of the space in the form of quiet hardware and high-quality glass doors. “They were willing to carry more expense on items that would have a big impact,” Guggenheim says.
Wall sconces: Aurora, The Good Flock; sinks: Ikea
The stairs lead to the rest of the house. The frosted glass doors seen here open to the master bathroom and bedroom, with the nursery at the end of the hall.
AFTER: The plan of the renovated upstairs shows the new nursery, renovated bathroom and built-out storage system in the hallway.
Architect: Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio
General contractor: Cascade Contracting
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Architect: Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio
General contractor: Cascade Contracting
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, one is a doctor and one works in photography, and their infant
Location: Portland, Oregon
Designer: Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio
When completed: Winter 2014
Guggenheim changed the finishes in the upstairs space to brighten the existing hallway, master bedroom and bathroom. She added walls and closets, creating a baby nursery and precious storage in all the rooms, including a large hallway unit.