This couple wants to refurbish their master bedroom to include an ensuite, but needs help with maximising the space. So, we’ve asked two designers to come up with ideas suited to their brief…

Homeowner Silvia Sergi, an accountant, and Max, a banker, and their two children, Samuele, and Gabriele, in a 1930s terrace house in North London. After 11 years in the property, they have decided to extend and renovate while also refurbishing the master bedroom on the top floor. They would like this to feature an ensuite and improved storage but need help with the design.

So, Silvia decided to take part in our Drawing Board feature where interiors experts come up with creative and transformative ideas for our readers’ renovations and design dilemmas. This time, KBB journo Rachel Ogden asked design director at Henry Rose Interiors, Gabi Riseley, and interior designer Bee Janaye of Atelier Janaye to create a soothing space for the couple.

Read on to see the plans come to life…

The space

While the top floor’s footprint will not change, the couple plan to build a new wall at one end to create storage, while installing new roof windows to make the space brighter. Overall, the ensuite will be 2 x 2.1 m, with the bedroom being 5.18 x 3.97 m at its widest point, and a ceiling height of 2.3 m at the highest point.

The brief for the master bedroom

• Silvia and Max are planning to reconfigure the top floor of their home. Their main concerns are where to place their white wooden bed and bedside tables and, as storage is important, whether spacious wardrobes or a walk-in wardrobe on the eaves side would be a better use of the space.
• They would also like the current bathroom, which has a built-in bath, to be a more practical ensuite, with a walk-in shower, WC, bidet, towel warmer and basin.
• While the dormer size will stay the same, a window will be replaced in favour of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors with a Juliet balcony. The ceiling is low, making pendant lighting impractical, so the new design should include a layered lighting scheme and dimmers.
• The couple would like the master bedroom and ensuite to be a calm space. Their favourite colours are white, natural wood, green and warm greys. They’d love to see leafy patterns on curtains and cushions. The bedroom will probably have wooden flooring, with either marble-effect porcelain tiles or LVT in the ensuite.
• Depending on the position of the bed, the couple would like an armchair and a reading table in front of the sliding door leading to the ensuite. Designers should avoid carpet and wallpaper.

The budget is £60,000 including roof refurbishment.

Designer one

Gabi Riseley is the owner and design director at Henry Rose Interiors. She was awarded Bathroom Designer of the Year 2023 by the KBSA for her project in a loft conversion.

Solution one

“Reading Silvia’s brief, my focus went to creating a calming environment using greens and warm woods throughout. In the master bedroom, I decided to use Daval’s Soho range of furniture, which has a contemporary in-frame effect detail, with Fjord green doors and New England Oak cabinetry.

“I placed the bed near the new Juliet balcony to enable the other end of the room to be utilised as the dressing area. This left a small area behind the bed, which I have studded out at the same height as the bedside cabinets. This enabled me to add shelving with accent lighting below, so as to not waste the space. I placed a couple of wardrobes along the party wall introducing hanging space for long items in the corner and double hanging in the full wardrobe. I then created a dressing table area under the Velux window with drawers either side for additional storage.

“Silvia’s brief mentioned leaning towards LVT as a flooring option, rather than engineered timber and tiles. I’ve selected glue-down LVT in a wood effect and carried this through from the bedroom to the ensuite to create a cohesive look between the two rooms.

“Since the ceiling height is slightly lower than standard, I’ve chosen to paint it in the same warm grey shade as the bedroom walls to make the room feel more spacious. This creates a smooth transition from the walls to the ceiling. In addition, recessed down lights in the ceiling work with lighting in the shelving behind the bed to keep the space feeling bright. The couple had found emerald porcelain wall tiles they liked, so I’ve paired these with brushed brass brassware from Crosswater for a warm feeling.

“As the brief called for a WC and bidet, and the window would be altered to reach the floor, I opted for a combined WC/bidet from VitrA’s Sento Aquacare range, which allows the ensuite to feel more spacious. To provide more privacy from anyone walking in from the bedroom and also the full-length window opposite, I have suggested a fluted shower screen. This fluted detail is mirrored in the slatted vanity and storage units from Crosswater. A final detail is the LED lighting within the recessed shelving of the shower, which helps to add to the relaxed feel of the room.”

Silvia’s verdict

“My initial impression is that the space feels rather confined. I also felt that the wardrobe was quite constrained as most of the room is taken by the big dressing table and the open shelving. However, I would surely adopt the sliding doors system in order to optimise the space.

“I am keen on the accent lighting as it would allow for different mood settings too. Although having green tiles was my idea, I must admit that the ensuite looks very dark considering the small space. I may opt for a paler pattern to create a more spacious feel. However, the brushed brass brassware looks really elegant in combination with the fluted shower screen.

“The motion sensor lighting is a very clever and practical idea, as is the LED lighting in the shower recess. I also appreciate the shower controls placed on the side wall, as these would allow a more convenient control of the water temperature.”

Designer two

Bee Janaye is a BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) interior architectural designer with more than a decade of experience in luxury residential design. She is the founder of Atelier Janaye, a boutique interior design studio. Previously, she held various roles in other design studios, gaining experience in interior and kitchen design.

Solution two

“Silvia and Max’s brief was to transform a loft space into a haven for rejuvenation and restoration, creating a serene master bedroom for the busy working parents. The couple described their preference for a warm, calm and neutral palette with natural finishes and organic shapes.

“My inspiration for the design came from a reference to these organic shapes: the client’s love of ‘leafy patterns’. Instead of sourcing finishes with overt botanical depictions. However, I expanded the concept to explore the shape, texture and tones that could form the foundations of a concept. I decided to create a space that felt soft and organic through finishes.

“To bring movement, I’ve designed a bespoke oversized headboard, upholstered with a fabric called Breakwater by Christopher Farr. This coordinates well with the soft linen curtains at the opposite end of the room and sets the tone for pattern. It also allows the space to feel neutral without being plain, adding interest through subtle colours and forms. To amplify this soft, crushed concept, I have used the beautiful Anders pendant light by Pinch Design, which feels draped, sculpted and formed with care. Fitted tightly to the low ceiling, it’s the perfect detail for above the bed.

“Clever storage was central to this brief, with the challenge to incorporate enough without making the room feel dark or heavy. The couple loved natural wooden finishes, so I decided to use washed oak to line both the walls and the floor. To create interest, for flooring, I opted for planks in a herringbone pattern. The bespoke fitted wardrobes are by Atelier Janaye’s joinery team to match. What was once an awkwardly accessed storage area is now hidden behind false wardrobe doors, which helps to create balance and harmony in the bedroom. This could be used as further walk-in wardrobe space or open storage space for larger occasional items, offering more flexibility.

“The bathroom is an amplification of the movement and texture in the master bedroom space. I have chosen a more daring statement with the Redox Emerald Calacatta Natural porcelain tile by European Heritage, and a fun but sophisticated nod to the ‘leafy’ inspiration with the Foglia Oro Percorsi decor tile from Panaria Ceramica’s Via Maestra collection within the shower area.

“The marble-effect tile continues up the wall with an oversized skirting detail to make the floor space feel larger, while there’s a tile able drain for a flush shower finish, further adding to this illusion. To complete the design, the taps and shower fixtures have been specified in brushed nickel – adding warmth with a timeless touch.”

Silvia’s verdict

“I like how the layout of the master bedroom allows for plenty of storage space without making the room look too small. The colours are calm, and I can envisage how natural light will bounce around. However, we would prefer to keep our existing bed and side tables. I like the fitted wardrobes, although I may opt for sliding doors as these would take up less space.

“The pendant light is quite elaborate and, considering the low ceiling, I think I would opt for smaller, dimmable lights. The slim dressing table is a winner – it fits perfectly with the idea of simplicity and functionality – although I would probably position it on the opposite side. I like the shape of the mirrors; the bronze colour is quite calming, however, I may need to opt for traditional silver.

“Similarly, the tiles are quite dramatic for the limited space available – I will probably opt for a single softer pattern in order to make the room feel more spacious.”

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