A Bedroom Goes From Cold to Comfy
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Architectural Interest: After
Architectural Interest: After
Call it a case of the "builder's-special blues." When Larry Burns and his wife bought their 1980s condo, in Southern California, the bedroom was a bare box with a popcorn ceiling, the original wall-to-wall carpeting, and a nondescript fireplace. So they called in interior designer Beth Bynon to give it makeover. The 14-by-24-foot space also had a "bowling alley" footprint, says Bynon, which was interrupted only by an oddly angled corner with two large windows and a ceiling that suddenly rose several feet, just beyond the fireplace.
Shown: Millwork details, wood floors, and a stylized arch give the room architectural interest.
Designer: Beth Bynon, , Oceanside, CA
Oak floor:
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Attention-Grabbing Fireplace
Attention-Grabbing Fireplace
Ceiling-high tile and glass doors give the old gas fireplace more presence. A large-scale pendant now lights the sitting area.
Fireplace tile: St. Germain Colorbody Porcelain in SE-61 Creme;
Pendant:
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Creamy White Wainscoting
Creamy White Wainscoting
The curved cap, wall-frame, and base moldings of the wainscoting help soften the rectangular space. Creamy white furniture pieces set against it blend in rather than stand out.
Lamp:
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Extra Drawer Storage
Extra Drawer Storage
Drawers built into the base of the window seat are particularly useful in a master suite where the only closet is located in the bath.
Custom cabinetry: Southwest Contempo
Pull:
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Decorative, Functional Arch
Decorative, Functional Arch
The designer came up with a drywalled quasi arch to conceal a change in ceiling height and to separate the seating and sleeping areas.
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Floor Plan Before: Awkward Footprint
Floor Plan Before: Awkward Footprint
Floor plan by Ian Worpole
The room's long, narrow footprint had a few odd angles.
Pro advice: "Laying a wood floor with the planks running on a diagonal creates the illusion of more space by visually widening the room. It's also a nice casual touch."
—Beth Bynon, designer, Cceanside, Calif.
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Floor Plan After: Disguising Solution
Floor Plan After: Disguising Solution
Floor plan by Ian Worpole
A clever built-in and other design solutions disguise the space's awkward features.
1. Made the fireplace more of a focal point by adding doors and creating a floor-to-ceiling fireplace surround.
2. Preserved a comfortable flow in the space by positioning the bed and other furniture along the long wall away from the doors.
3. Built in a bench seat to fill an oddly angled corner just beyond the fireplace.
4. Added a quasi-arch detail where the ceiling height suddenly changes, defining a seating area separate from the sleeping area.
5. Used generously sized bedside tables to balance the king-size bed and provide needed storage.