Still no tub but after seeing the overall plan I can see why you’d like to keep a walk in. Especially if you loose the attic space.

Thanks for all that. It's so good to get more feedback.

We did think about cutting the hallway short but I also think our son would use it lots as a sort of informal play space - he loves the hallway outside his room right now. And I think it would get more hours of use by him than by us during wakeful hours.

Do you mean to put the bedroom patio doors onto the patio that leads to the living room? I was worried about privacy. Maybe I'm being silly in that you can just draw the curtains for privacy. At some point in the future there will be a small swimming pool round about where the triangle window in the living room has been sketched out. I did want patio doors from there to the bathroom but we didn't have the space. Could do to the bedroom though.

The upper bedroom/bathroom/laundry/storeroom combo is the bane of our lives. We couldn't get what we wanted in there. That bedroom is pretty tiny. I couldn't get a second door on a second wall without losing storage space etc. We wanted a bedroom/sewing room/office with a window, a bathroom with a window, a laundry/boot room by the front door and a storeroom with no window. Lots of asks for a small space.

We have champagne tastes on a good bottle of merlot budget. I love the house but there are, as ever, some compromises.

That plan is super. It looks really good. I'm just so strangely attached to that window. Will have to have a think on it.

I wonder if there is a way to capture just a small part of the attic space as a play space (and create a recessed ladder to it from either your sons room or the hall)

Boerum Hill Greek Revival · More Info

Edwin · More Info

Just spending your money :)

(forgot to draw the door to the bathroom on the left....)

That's so clever although the hallway isn't tall enough for a double height ceiling like that. I really need the attic space as well. At least whatever I can salvage of it.

How will you access the attic space you do plan to have?

Hi TDL. We will have a hatch in the hallway and then just use our step ladder. I envisage using it for long term storage of chil related sentimental stuff as well as once yearly stuff like the Christmas tree.

Could that attic space be above the hall bath instead of your bedroom?

Do you mean above the sort of family bath? There is attic space there as well. I'm also thinking to have a drop ceiling and a bit of attic space above just our bathroom. Even if it's tiny. For all the crap you never look at. And go with a variation of the design below which I've sent to the architect. I've flipped it to get the tall ceilings in the bedroom and the window more private in the bathroom.

Ugh! Houzz used to be so easy. I just lost my entire post. Now I remember why I took a break.

Ok, here we go again...

I'm going to break it down into sections so that it doesn't disappear again, so bear with me.

I feel the plan with the double entrance to the bathroom is the best and most unique layout for several reasons:

- The entrance to the bedroom is private

- The bedroom is spacious and best use of space, anointing it a proper master bedroom.

- Consider an additional full height wardrobe where the dresser is indicated. It can be less deep than the closet to accommodate cubbies for sweaters, jeans, handbags, pull out drawers for undergarments, jewelry trays.

- The double entrance to the bathroom may seem a waste of space, but it is what I call 'the luxury of space". It eliminates the four walls, creating subliminal space. Again, that personal secret space.

- The bathroom is a perfect layout. A separate wc for the toilet is a definite plus. Consider adding a small wall hung sink in the wc also.

- From the elevation, the position of the bathroom is the most logical and allows for the needed attic space. Those darn Christmas decorations!

- You mentioned the courtyard space on that side of the house. Consider a faux outdoor shower connected to the master shower with a full length door, a wall around that area (the same size as the shower) plantings and a glass ceiling. Again exciting and unique.

The next post will be pics.

Pics of outdoor faux shower connected to master shower:

More stuff:

This plan:

There are so many good design elements about this plan. You won't realize it, until your first night's sleep. The bathroom functions are far away from the bed and the bed doesn't see or hear anything. Of course, you will have to have your builder work out the details and dimensions, and remember your bedroom is a two person space. You don't need extra wide walking room.

All the other plans have one issue or the other. Don't feel bad about working on this so much. You should see what happens when designers design for themselves! We cry.

Thanks Denise. I love that space behind the bed and it feels luxurious and like a dressing space. except the stuff I need to get dressed is all on the other side of the room. I think I prefer the walk through the wardrobes to read the bathroom for that reason.

Denise you crack me up - 'we cry' - so true and ha! I actually really like the last plan I did even better than the one you noted....It puts the bedroom on the side of where the roof pitch/ceiling height is higher and gives the dressing/bathing function on the lower side and close to each other. homeingreece is debating wether or not loosing the window at the end of the hall is worth it or not to do that plan - which captures that hall space. The architect has to verify if that plan is viable (I may be a little bit free wheeling with the door placement based on the actual sizes....) The whole home plan is tight so I can see why keeping a walk in closet would be desired.

HIG, at least you know what every option is available for your space, especially when you have two brilliant designers helping you! hehe. Perhaps you should go all the way back to option A. Keeping the walk-in closet with the door in the bedroom and considering the only plan I submitted. I strongly do not recommend your closet entrance through the bathroom. That has been a trend here for awhile, and people have said that their clothes get musty from the humidity of the bathroom (shower).

Our master bedrooms and getting dressed is so personal, so you know what is right for you. I had a client that, after 30 years of marriage, wouldn't let his wife see him change. He had a closet that was smaller than yours and he's a really big guy and he got dressed in there. I want a picture of that.

Your home will be lovely no matter what you do. The layout is very nice and you said you trusted your builder. Like lipstick, a good paint color is the key!

TDL, that last plan is a good layout also. That one will depend on the actual dimensions of the space. The bathroom looks a little tight and the shower got much smaller. Even though it is more functional, the open spaciousness of the suite is lost.

Back to the drawing board, as they say.

What say you, HIG?

TDL I think after much deliberation and knowing how our son uses his space right now, we have decided to keep the window at the end of the corridor. So, back to square 1.

Denise I agree 100% with not having the wardrobe past the bathroom. Terrible idea and it rains where this house is going to be. It rains a lot. So we need to make sure we can keep it all toasty dry.

We are down to two designs now. The original with a new bathroom layout and a total change.

For the original I see the pros as: Attic space (would just encourage us to keep more junk and there is attic space above the family bath across the hallway); walk in wardrobe; good vanity space in the bathroom; good space at the end of the bed for flow around the room; good options of wall space for furniture. I also see as cons: Bed visible from doorway; square bathrooms are a
nightmare to lay out; loss of high ceilings to bathroom and wardrobe (likely to put a drop ceiling in since keeping the bathroom warm in winter won't be fun) rather than seeing them in bedroom. One way around the final point is to switch the lay out and put the bed at the tall end of the ceiling and bathroom and wardrobe at low end. Makes sense to me. You still wouldn't get to see the big sweep of the roof line and beams on the inside but you would get that nice high ceiling and the headboard of the bed against a nice tall wall which would be striking I think.

For the change I see the pros as: You get to see the big sweep of the roof line and beams on the inside; privacy for the sleeping area; feeling of open space as you come in; good sized bathroom with an easy layout; good options of wall space for furniture. Cons I see: Loss of wardrobe space; slightly narrower bathroom; loss of attic space; tighter at the end of the bed (but it's not a thoroughfare so does that matter?).

Am I missing anything?

Here are the two floor plans.

- In the original, imagine the bathroom lay out below inserted into the bathroom space and the sleeping area and bathroom/wardrobe switched.

- For the changed plan the window at the end of the bed will go to the wall at the side of the bed. This means it can be opened without being in the way and also doesn't limit where we put the bed. We can put furniture under it, chair in the corner, etc.

Ugh. Decisions. I'm so crap at them.

Original plan:

Bathroom layout for original plan (vanities split with a space in between):

Changed plan:

Doh. The alternative lay out for the bathroom in the original is a variation on Denise's which would have the end of the room being a shower. Then vanities either opposite each other (make the window the width of the shower) or down one side opposite the toilet. Keep the large window. Don't put glass down the side of the shower and put in a nice long teak bench that's in/out of the shower as a seat or clothes drop.

I still don't understand the appeal of the dead end corridor - why not make your sons bedroom much bigger and capture that space? Put a transom window in or skylight to bring some natural light there.

Ok I hear you. This? Gives you the window at the end of the hall but your sons room will feel so much more gracious.

I think your bedroom space will feel really great on the higher ceiling side - even if you sacrifice a small portion of it to attic space.

The second plan recently posted is every hotel layout. Sorry, my least favorite of all.

Any of the other proposed layouts will work within the space allotted. The finishing details will define the space.

Seems your priorities are:

1) Spacious when entering bedroom.

2) Sufficient closet space.

3) Large shower, double vanity, toilet privacy.

Your decision process should be:

1) Walk-in closet or wall of closets? This is a major decision as to layout consideration.

2) Headboard wall elevation - sloped or not? Personally, I am not a big fan of sloped ceilings in bedroom, The nest should be a human scaled sanctuary.

3) Attic space importance? If you eliminate the storage space, determine where in your home will accommodate your items. We all have storage issues and having a proper place for organization is important.

Remind me again of your Wish List for the Master Suite. We never discussed the style you prefer. Do you have any particular inspiration you are seeing? Don't get frustrated. The design process is just that, a process.. Keep going. You will know when it is exactly as it should be.

Thanks TDL. I do prefer it flipped like that and the little tweaks are nice. I'll have a look at some measurements. I hadn't thought of putting the attic in just one section of the ceiling. That's a great idea.

Hi Denise. Priorities for master were privacy for toilet but no more. So really it's a space we can use at the same time. A large, good sized shower, large double vanity. Some sort of seat for clothes to be dropped would be good. Style wise, we want something restful and calm. Darker (not dark) wood furniture. Yeah I suppose it is like a hotel room. I do like the privacy for the sleeping area. The high ceilings in living and sleeping areas are common in houses in this part of Greece especially. When it's hot as heck it really helps. 40 degrees in the shade means architecture can help save money on cooling. It can also get cold which is why I want the lower ceiling in the bathroom. So it is a balance. I like having the bedroom span the width of the space so that I can get the low high in there.

So I sent these two designs to our architect to see what her firm thought. They all had a very clear favourite. My husband agrees. I'm not sure. They're all plumping for Option B (dubbed "the hotel room" thanks to Denise :D). I feel sad I won't get a nice walk in wardrobe. But perhaps the walk in robe in A isn't big enough to warrant the smaller bedroom anyway. I figure Option B will be a lovely airy bedroom space with the sloping ceiling visible (slopes upwards from right to left in both images).

I do have a question about fitted wardrobes against a 4.8m high wall with exposed beam ceiling. I don't want to go all the way up. Can you stop anywhere as long as the wardrobes have a nice finished top with moulding or something? I don't want it to look weird. I do want some height for off season storage at the top.

I personally don’t see the advantage of B unless you do a full wall of slider windows at the foot of the bed. I’d vote for that and have the window on the right be a transom style so you can get a long dresser on that wall (bed would shift towards wardrobe wall).

Also, if the hall space outside the bedroom is dropped for the attic I’d go ahead and do this:

Thanks TDL. I suppose the benefit is a sense of space rather than an ideal use of that space. I think my husband felt the bedroom in Option A would feel small. I confess the walk in wardrobe is very appealing to me still and I could get a lot of storage in there. I don't like the congestion at the foot of the bed though as you try and get around the bed or someone comes out of the wardrobe or bathroom. Good call on the window ideas. Will pass on to the architect.

Also not to nitpick but I’m really questioning how you think B bedroom is larger than A? They are essentially the same. You can’t get any more function or furniture out of one compared to the other. I’d argue B will be much more costly to do well - fitted cupboards are loads more than a walk in. Also, bathrooms are essentially the same although I’d argue A gives a bit more of a feeling of spaciousness just by the toilet placement. My last 2 cents. I wonder which one Denise would do if she could only choose either one?

I would say though that B gives you more bedroom privacy and that may be priceless:)

I had a bedroom once that had a little blind corridor in it. So the bed was round the corner like it is in B. It was lovely and private. I do like that aspect. It felt really luxurious and cosy. I think we think the fact you can see more of the ceiling in B will give a sense of space. I 100% agree on wardrobe cost. I think good fitted wardrobes would cost us a mint. I thought the longer perspective of the bathroom in A would be good. perhaps the square shape of B is better. My money is on A for Denise.

And the winner is...

It is my understanding the slope of the ceiling would be the highest at the closets and lower at the shower. Is that correct?

An inexpensive solution for built in wardrobes is doors with pivot hinges top and bottom to eliminate a door frame with a magnetic catch closure. This way you can fit the interiors with an Elfa System to customize. See below.

Elfa Closet Systems are available worldwide. Here in the U.S. a technician will come to the project and discuss your needs and custom design the interiors. They have all kinds of great fittings available.

https://elfa.com/en/walk-in-closet

Closet doors with custom interiors:

In the master bath, wall across from vanity:

A row of tall 'medicine cabinets' approx 150cm high. This type of cabinet will store an enormous amount of product. This particular one (on left wall) has a wood frame and frosted glass fronts.

Thanks very much Denise. I really appreciate it. The floor plan you've done has really made me rethink the space etc. I wonder if it will look particularly spacious But I have a vision of the sloping ceiling being visible and that just feels attractive. Maybe though I need to go practical and sensible instead. Maybe the walk in is the way to go. Fair sized bedroom and roomy wardrobe/storage. I like the bathroom storage idea. That's fun.

I like it Denise. And HIG I think Denise means that the ceiling height is high by the wardrobes but it’s hard to find an image like that....I do think the architecture supports this though which does give you some attic space (blue area is lower ceiling height in line with hallway outside the suite)

You have a choice with the plan below. It can be flipped so you can have the highest point at the headboard or lowest point over the headboard. This plan even gives you a tub!

Here's a pic of of an angled ceiling slope over the bed for you to get a good visual, if you decide on that location of the bed. It's not something I would suggest in a project. Also, fyi, in some cultures, it is bad luck to sleep under the lowest point of a sloped ceiling, as it keeps your energy down. Just saying. lol

This is where you started HIC - advantage is cupboard location and bed in relation to ceiling height and a bit more privacy. Disadvantage natural light in bath.

I'm starting to think where you live as a designer influences the designs you do as that is definitely New York living in that bath and closet layout (tight!) lol but seriously even though I think its tight by midwest states standards maybe you can live with it HIC - I don't know how I'd get to half the clothes easily. And you'd loose the attic which I think is key - yes? I definitely prefer the previous one you did Denise which is why I suggested the flip - much more movement and ease.

TDL, I think any of the plans submitted, considering the space allotment, would work, to tell you the truth. I lean towards the wall of closets, as I feel no matter what the layout is, the walk-in closet is tight. HIG seems to be leaning towards a WIC. The built in drawer cabinet indicated in the last plan can be eliminated and the wall with the full length mirror can be eliminated also, ending up with the same clearance space originally shown in the first walk in closet plan, way back when.

I approached this last layout taking advantage of the highest ceiling point and a full master bathroom with a shower and tub. Also it may have the most hanging closet space.

Yes, I am very used to stealing space from every which way but up! The only way a walkin closet works for me, is a large room with a center island, otherwise it is always tight or does not function properly, IMHO.

The plan you did is still my favorite for many reasons. HIG might be over thinking this and on her way to be the perfect interior designer!

Yes I do like that one as well and they would get the full attic space.

But I think nightstand space was the issue? I can’t remember.

Thank you both so so much.

Denise I played with that new layout but it did feel a bit tight.

I do still like the layout that you suggested TDL with the bathroom behind the bed half wall but I can only get 80cm and 90cm walkways and they feel a bit tight. Also, the husband has a weird thing against the wall behind the bed. I don't know why. Do you have any good inspiration shots for me to show him? How big do you think the bathroom needs to be there? What should the distance in front of the vanity be do you think?

Right now we're actually leaning towards the hotel room layout (thanks Denise! We actually call it Denise's hotel room hahaha) with the bed on the lower slope side. Although I'll revisit the bed being on the other side with the attic. We can save money not having the attic (keep it over the family bathroom) and put it towards the fitted wardrobes.

Haha...I think it was the Morgan Hotel in NYC in the early swinging 80s! The interiors were designed by the iconic Andree Putman. It was fab!

Floating headboard walls:

This concept having windows pass the headboard wall is genius. ^^^

In reference to the 80cm-90cm walkway space to the bathroom: It is more than sufficient. If you look at the above images, doorways to bathrooms are usually 70cm.

Note the wall behind the bed is not a half wall, it is a full wall to the ceiling.

I hate to be so repetitious, but I feel the design layout should be determined on

1) a wall of closets vs walk in closet

2) the slope of the ceiling

HIG, our suggestions are based on design abstracts. It is so important to stand at the actual building site. Your insights and feedback are very significant for a successful design outcome. Please keep visualizing. Design professionals walk into a space and the concept is done in their head. It's because of years and years (did I say, years?!), of playing with crayons.

Your decision will be based on a process of elimination also. Deciding what you don't like, and feel is right for your lifestyle, is just important as loving a detail.

Make a Wish List of five items, so that you can refer to non negotiables, like the window at the end of the hall outside your bedroom. Also, don't take a "vote" from everyone on the design. Your decisions should be between you and your husband, as it is your sanctuary. All of those well intentioned comments get very confusing. Everyone has their priorities.

If I were with you, I would spread out all of the design layouts and eliminate the ones I definitely didn't like. That would leave 2 or 3 plans to consider. Write the pros and cons of each one. You can then concentrate on the final decision. Forget about all the rest, done, zip, gone. Have a glass of wine, sit outside in the beautiful autumn air, go to bed and make your decision in the morning. It's so exciting you are building this home and you should enjoy every moment. It's not brain surgery, it's decorating. Enjoy it!