Master Bedrooms and Retreats

Master bedrooms and retreats are evolving from a bedroom with an ensuite to havens to escape the world, and maybe even the household. Today's new designs include retreats, private balconies and reading nooks to create a little sanctuary for parents.

Lindy Evans from Windemere Interiors, says you should see your master bedroom as a retreat and not just a place to sleep. "Think of your master bedroom as your haven where you can spend quality time for yourself," she said, "a little thought into how you decorate this room will go a long way later."

If you're redecorating a master bedroom, Lindy has a few tips to turn the space into a private sanctum.

Don't be afraid of using dark colours on the walls. It's the only room that you can get away with this. Charcoals, chocolates and burgundies create a feeling of opulence and luxury.

Invest in a good quality bed and high thread-count linen. If you are going to spend precious time here then invest in quality for these essentials. It will last longer in the long run. 

Create a retreat. Even if you only have a small space, you can set up a reading chair and lamp for some time out.

Ensure you have appropriate storage. Don't clutter your retreat space with clothes and books. Build or create shelves and storage to keep the area clear and relaxing.

Use dark window treatments. Heavy, sun blocking drapes or blinds will help you get a restful slumber.

Master Bedroom and Retreat Inspiration Gallery from Windemere Interiors

Cinematic Experience

The media lounge has become one of the favourite rooms in homes today. Whether it's watching a movie or playing on the XBox, it's a separate space to entertain or just some private space to enjoy your favourite show. There are some simple ways you can convert a room in your home to a media lounge.

Firstly and probably most importantly is the cinematics. It could be as simple as a television mounted to the wall and as elaborate as a home cinema complete with surround sound, projector and screen. It depends on your taste and budget.

Secondly, create a cinematic atmosphere. Plush pile carpet, heavy light blocking drapes and light dimmers will give the room that authentic movie feel and you could even put in some tiered flooring with lighting.

Finally, you can dress the room. Comfy couches, bean bags and cushions with low tables to put your popcorn and drinks. Frame some old movie posters to jazz up the walls and you have the ultimate media lounge for your home.

Some of the media lounges we have designed and decorated

Kitchen Glow, Seamless Flow

A dark and pokey kitchen with an impractical layout has been given the Windemere magic touch, transformed into a light and breezy space with a seamless flow.

The space for this kitchen area was limited by a large, load bearing pole and high benchtop running through the centre of the area. A meals area next to the kitchen space was unused as there was already a dining room and outdoor dining space. The timber cupboards, black benchtops and dark red colours combined made the area seems small with a disjointed flow.

To open up the space and create a flow through the area, the layout was changed to a galley style kitchen with a large breakfast bar running along the length of the space.

Windemere Interiors designer Lindy Evans said while the size of the space was good, the original layout underutilised the full area. "There was a large kitchen space available, taking into account the unused meals area, but the high benchtop effectively cut the area in two, limiting bench space and without a breakfast bar," she said. "By creating one long, low breakfast bar, the area has been opened up with a seamless flow between the kitchen and other living areas."

The walk in pantry had a number of shelves with angled corners, making the space and its contents difficult to access. This area was gutted and replaced with wall mounted shelving and a benchtop with pull out shelving underneath.

To lighten the space and integrate with the living areas, a neutral white was used on the walls, benchtops and cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, pendant lights and glass splashbacks created a luxury finish.

The kitchen has had a magical transformation, from clunky and disjointed to glowing with a seamless flow.

Before






After

Urban Living