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Room of the Week: A Clever Bedroom Redesign Makes Space for a New Baby
Renovating a bedroom and loft has created a warm, relaxing area that’s perfect for parents and newborn alike
This couple wanted to get their bedroom ready for their new baby, which was on its way. A high gabled roofline and extra attic space were going to waste in their low-ceilinged bedroom, so the professionals at Reliance Design, Build, Remodel raised the ceiling to the roof, opened up access to the loft and finished both spaces to create a cohesive look that tied in with the rest of the property. Most importantly, they were able to finish the job in time for the arrival of the newest family member.
The designers took down the ceiling and went all the way up to the gabled roof. Other areas in the property have exposed beams, so they added ones made from Douglas fir to create a connection between the main bedroom and the rest of the house.
‘The homeowners already had this beautiful bed made from reclaimed wood, so that also inspired us,’ says Motamedi. All of the reclaimed Douglas fir came from a dismantled barn in northern California.
‘We wanted to keep the character of the original wood,’ says Ben Motamedi, who managed the project. So they cleaned up the beams, but rather than staining them, simply finished them with polyurethane.
Another way the designers created continuity was by matching the new oak floors with the existing oak hardwood. ‘We used oak planks that were 3cm wide by 1cm thick, like the hardwood in the rest of the house,’ explains Golnaz Motamedi.
‘The homeowners already had this beautiful bed made from reclaimed wood, so that also inspired us,’ says Motamedi. All of the reclaimed Douglas fir came from a dismantled barn in northern California.
‘We wanted to keep the character of the original wood,’ says Ben Motamedi, who managed the project. So they cleaned up the beams, but rather than staining them, simply finished them with polyurethane.
Another way the designers created continuity was by matching the new oak floors with the existing oak hardwood. ‘We used oak planks that were 3cm wide by 1cm thick, like the hardwood in the rest of the house,’ explains Golnaz Motamedi.
An industrial-style light fitting chosen by the couple also influenced the style of the room. ‘It’s a mix of nautical, industrial and rustic – they have great taste,’ says Motamedi.
The French door leads to an en-suite bathroom.
The French door leads to an en-suite bathroom.
As they were expecting their first child, the couple wanted to create a cosy area for sitting with the baby, especially during late-night feeds.
This small niche has just enough room for a comfortable chair and pouffe. The light fitting adds a nautical-industrial touch, while the wide wood paneling provides texture and enhances the nautical feel. This is sure to become a favourite spot for reading stories to their child.
Take a look at these brilliant reading nooks
This small niche has just enough room for a comfortable chair and pouffe. The light fitting adds a nautical-industrial touch, while the wide wood paneling provides texture and enhances the nautical feel. This is sure to become a favourite spot for reading stories to their child.
Take a look at these brilliant reading nooks
The design team made the most of this corner by adding reclaimed barn wood shelves that match the new ceiling beams.
The designers ripped out an existing cupboard that accessed a loft space as the bedroom already has another large wardrobe. They created access to the loft via this bespoke ladder, which tucks up against the wall out of the way.
When the homeowners want to access the loft, they pull the ladder out at an angle to make climbing it easier and safer.
Discover how to use ladders stylishly in your home
Discover how to use ladders stylishly in your home
The design team created and installed bespoke balustrades in the space. They also repaired an existing pocket door that can be slid in behind the oar to close off the suite.
The loft’s floor space is only about 2m by 2m, but the designers made the most of it to create a cosy workspace. It’s like a secret hideaway for the parents.
Bookshelves made of reclaimed barn wood create continuity between the loft and the bedroom.
An existing dormer window had been going to waste up in the loft space but now it fills the area with light and also illuminates the bedroom.
The view from the loft down to the bedroom shows the interesting beamwork. The room is now sleek, inviting and ready for the next exciting phase in the family’s life.
TELL US…
Have you shared your bedroom with your baby? Let us know how you made it work in the Comments below.
TELL US…
Have you shared your bedroom with your baby? Let us know how you made it work in the Comments below.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here A young couple with their baby
Location Los Angeles, USA
Size The bedroom is 24 sq m and the loft is 4.6 sq m
Designer Reliance Design, Build, Remodel
That’s interesting The property was designed by Robert Byrd, a prominent California architect who built many homes between the 1920s and 1950s; he always embedded a little birdhouse into the architecture of the homes he designed
The house is an American Craftsman, but the main bedroom was added after the original property had been built. It is raised up just under a metre from the rest of the house and, before the renovation, had ceilings that were only 2m high. ‘It was important that the renovation fitted in with the style of the rest of the house,’ says design consultant Golnaz Motamedi.