Designer Denise Wenacur of DW Design & Décor has worked on her fare share of projects, but this one after a devastating fire damaged a family’s home was a huge one.
Related: How This Westchester Family Rebuilt After a Devastating Fire
For the master bedroom, she seized the opportunity to turn what was once a smaller master suite (originally it was around 300 square feet) with a smaller bathroom, including a tiny shower and large built-in Jacuzzi tub, and transform it into a spacious oasis.
“I wanted the master suite to be a relaxing respite for the couple,” says Denise Wenacur. “A place that they could retreat to after a long day and recharge also to have it comfortably designed so that if the kids wanted to joint them to read or watch TV, they were also welcome.”
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Wenacur doubled the size of the original master suite, making it 600 square feet consisting of a study, the bedroom, a large walk-in closet, and a much-needed larger master bath.
“The new master bedroom incorporates the space that was originally the bathroom and the closets,” says Wenacur. “The original shower stall was very small, especially for the 6’5” husband. Across from the shower we incorporated a beautiful custom built-in cabinet with shelves designed for rolled towels to give it an elegant ‘spa’ touch.”
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A skylight was also added to bring in natural light and in place of the large, built-in jacuzzi tub, Wenacur added a soaking tub to free up floor space.
For the color palette, Wenacur kept it neutral using beiges and greys. “To keep this neutral color palette interesting, we included lots of textures in the fabrics and in the wood tones of the furniture,” says Wenaucr. “We mixed soft stripes on the window treatment fabrics that worked nicely with the geometric design on the pillows and rug. We utilized dark textured linen for the custom bed frame and soft plush chenille for the upholstered.”
She also used white washed and aged looking finishes for the wood furniture for a collected look.
“Our style direction for the whole house was ‘contemporary rustic,’” added Wenacur. “The husband liked a more rustic direction, while the wife liked a softer, more ‘pretty’ cottage feel. I incorporated both elements for a beautiful result they both could enjoy.”
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The chandelier has a more rustic wood ‘cage’ around a simple wrought iron light fixture. The night tables have a soft distressed wood finish with a more feminine appeal and the window treatments flanking the headboard have a stronger striped pattern. In the bathroom she used more masculine glass tile fort he decorative horizontal pattern on the walls and sink backsplash.
But her favorite part of the space is just walking into the room itself. The elegant double doors lead you into the space then the first item you see is the large bookshelves flanking the French pocket doors that Wenacur says “give it an instant cozy feeling.”
She also loves the built-in window seat/day bed in the bedroom window, the tray ceiling, and the architectural details. “It is unbelievably comfortable,” says Wenacur.
What Should Every Master Suite Have?
“Each should have a comfortable place to sit and read a book, and black out shades for the most restful nights sleep,” says Wenacur.
What Should Every Master Suite Not Have?
“Each should not have a desk next to the bed,” says Wenacur. “The last thing that you should look at before you go to sleep should be something calming, not your computer and to do list starting at you.”
