An active mid-life couple whose adult son has additional needs, wanted a bedroom sanctuary they could retreat to at the end of the day. They requested an elegant, ‘boutique hotel’ space, with plenty of storage, a dressing table, and a comfortable chair for reading.

Quite apart from a dark and dated colour scheme, this converted attic space presented many challenges. The awkward ceiling lines reduced the usable floor space - especially in the shower room and wardrobe. Heating and insulation were a problem, and just two apex dormer windows meant there were also issues with ventilation and natural light. The tiny walk-in wardrobe under the eaves provided inadequate storage - and five large chests of drawers that the clients hoped would solve the problem just overwhelmed the bedroom with clutter. Next door, the ensuite wet room had been leaking for some time, making it unusable.

After careful planning, the entire space was stripped out and re-insulated, and new slim-frame windows were installed. Low level built-in storage along the angled side walls of the bedroom made use of inaccessible floor space - housing the dressing table and providing hanging and folded clothes storage.

A colour scheme of teal and soft gold in rich fabrics set the tone for the space. Subtle, gilt-patterned wallpaper on the wall behind the bed softly reflects the light, while the fully upholstered headboard and bed base in teal velvet make the bed a plush focal point. Wall lights for reading and elegant nightstands provide space for personal items. Full length, soft gold sateen interlined curtains make the apex window glow at night. A softly rounded swivel chair fits snugly under the eaves, providing a comfortable reading nook.

In the shower room, sanitaryware was repositioned to optimise the layout. A curved shower enclosure and vanity unit make the tight floor space easier to navigate, while the wall-hung WC and Vanity Unit make the floor area feel larger, and easier to clean. Wall recesses lit with led lighting, and a mirrored vanity cabinet optimise wall storage in this tight space. Large-format gloss tiles with subtle gold veining reflect the light and add a touch of opulence that is also picked out in the satin brass hardware.