Room of the Week: An Attic Transformed into a Magical Kids' Suite
See how a dusty, empty roof space was transformed into an enchanting – and practical – suite for two lucky youngsters
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
The homeowners wanted exciting yet functional spaces for their children that would complement the heritage feel of the rest of the house.
What was the attic used for originally?
It housed a large ducted heating system… and a whole lot of dust and debris.
The homeowners wanted exciting yet functional spaces for their children that would complement the heritage feel of the rest of the house.
What was the attic used for originally?
It housed a large ducted heating system… and a whole lot of dust and debris.
The new ‘trinket tower’ in the pink bedroom provides open storage while responding to the curves in the room and separating the entrance from the study area.
Did the client have any specific needs that needed to be met?
The youngest children, aged seven and 11, were the clients here. They were heavily involved in the design choices and decision-making process.
Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to create the children’s rooms you’ve been dreaming of
Did the client have any specific needs that needed to be met?
The youngest children, aged seven and 11, were the clients here. They were heavily involved in the design choices and decision-making process.
Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to create the children’s rooms you’ve been dreaming of
The unused roof space during works
Where were the children sleeping before?
The youngest child slept in a room that was used to access another bedroom, so it was effectively part-circulation space. The other three children had individual rooms, but not of a sufficient size to sleep and study. The four siblings shared a bathroom.
Where were the children sleeping before?
The youngest child slept in a room that was used to access another bedroom, so it was effectively part-circulation space. The other three children had individual rooms, but not of a sufficient size to sleep and study. The four siblings shared a bathroom.
The floor plan after works
What exactly did you do?
What exactly did you do?
- Put in two new bedrooms, each with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.
- Installed shelving and a desk for study in each new bedroom.
- Put in a new window and window seat in each bedroom to provide a spot to read, relax and enjoy the view.
- Installed a new skylight to maximise light.
- Added a ‘trinket tower’ (open storage) in the pink bedroom.
- Put in a ‘magic mirror door’ (a mirror with concealed storage behind it) and a storage nook in the blue bedroom.
What were your biggest challenges?
Space was the biggest challenge here – namely, how to house all the required accommodation within the existing roof space.
The restrictions placed by heritage and municipal town planning were also challenging. These restrictions dictated that for any proposed works, the house was to appear unchanged from its existing state when viewed from the street. Similar limitations applied to the sides of the house.
The challenge then was to carve out the briefed spaces within the existing cavernous, but awkward, roof envelope, and to provide as much natural light as possible, given that only one small window per bedroom was allowed.
Skylights out of view from the street were used to maximise natural light, together with a fresh white base to walls and ceilings that reflects light and increases the perception of space.
Another key challenge was to construct the entire project while the owners were living downstairs. Working closely with the builder during construction was key to making this work.
Space was the biggest challenge here – namely, how to house all the required accommodation within the existing roof space.
The restrictions placed by heritage and municipal town planning were also challenging. These restrictions dictated that for any proposed works, the house was to appear unchanged from its existing state when viewed from the street. Similar limitations applied to the sides of the house.
The challenge then was to carve out the briefed spaces within the existing cavernous, but awkward, roof envelope, and to provide as much natural light as possible, given that only one small window per bedroom was allowed.
Skylights out of view from the street were used to maximise natural light, together with a fresh white base to walls and ceilings that reflects light and increases the perception of space.
Another key challenge was to construct the entire project while the owners were living downstairs. Working closely with the builder during construction was key to making this work.
Tell us about the colour palettes in the children’s bedrooms and bathrooms
The colour combinations used in these rooms are striking and sophisticated, and reflect the children’s personalities. They will stand the test of time for years to come.
The colour combinations used in these rooms are striking and sophisticated, and reflect the children’s personalities. They will stand the test of time for years to come.
The stairwell between the children’s bedrooms is a common space they share. The walls are lined with a beautiful blue-tone wallpaper (Cloud Toile from Timorous Beasties), and both bedroom door fronts have been painted in a cool dew tone (Porter’s Paints Dew).
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
The custom joinery and bedheads were designed by Windust Architecture x Interiors, the custom door handle in the pink room was made by Suzie Stanford, the tapware in both bathrooms is from Brodware, and the ceramic tiles are by Urban Edge Ceramics.
The custom joinery and bedheads were designed by Windust Architecture x Interiors, the custom door handle in the pink room was made by Suzie Stanford, the tapware in both bathrooms is from Brodware, and the ceramic tiles are by Urban Edge Ceramics.
The built-in storage in the blue bedroom conceals a pull-out trundle bed, linen storage and more. Extra storage is concealed behind the mirror too.
Paint colours:
Paint colours:
- Dulux Wairakei quarter to the walls and architraves, together with Dulux Paving Stone to the two-pack polyurethane joinery in the blue bedroom.
- Dulux Vivid White to the ceilings in the blue bedroom.
- Dulux Aerostatics to the door, together with Dulux Revival to the two-pack polyurethane joinery in the blue bedroom.
- Porter’s Paints Dew on the walls and door of the pink bedroom.
- Porter’s Paints Babydoll on the back of the door in the pink bedroom.
Why do you think this converted attic works so well?
We transformed something typically associated with storage into a very special space. It rethinks the attic renovation as not just an add-on, but as something that sits beautifully within the fabric of the existing house to provide spaces that will grow with the children during their teen years and beyond.
We were thrilled to learn that this project has recently been shortlisted in the Colour category of the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) 2019.
Your turn
What do you love best about this kids’ attic suite? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more fabulous rooms? Don’t miss last week’s Room of the Week: A Dining Room With a Heroic Feature Wall
We transformed something typically associated with storage into a very special space. It rethinks the attic renovation as not just an add-on, but as something that sits beautifully within the fabric of the existing house to provide spaces that will grow with the children during their teen years and beyond.
We were thrilled to learn that this project has recently been shortlisted in the Colour category of the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) 2019.
Your turn
What do you love best about this kids’ attic suite? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more fabulous rooms? Don’t miss last week’s Room of the Week: A Dining Room With a Heroic Feature Wall
Answers by Junko Windust interior design director at Windust Architecture x Interiors
Who lives here: A family with four children (aged seven, 11, 14 and 16). The attic is for the two youngest children.
Location: Toorak, Victoria
Room purposes and sizes: A children’s suite with two bedrooms (containing study spaces, walk-in-wardrobes and storage) and a bathroom each. The pink bedroom measures 4.4 square metres and the blue bedroom measures 4.3 square metres.
Architecture and interiors: Windust Architecture x Interiors
Stylist: Origami Solutions