Third-Floor Master Suite Remodel in Washington, DC

Posted On September 12, 2017

Bedroom & Bathroom Remodeling in Chevy Chase

One of our most recent projects is a master suite remodel in Chevy Chase, Washington, DC. The clients bought their 1937 brick Colonial because of the wonderful view from the third-floor master suite. A previous homeowner had expanded the attic to create the master suite atop the house in 1998. With views from a 12’ wide window, the homeowners can see across Rock Creek Park to areas of Northwest, Washington DC.

Sweetly isolated on their third-floor master suite, the couple has easy access, via a private staircase, to their children’s bedrooms and guest bedroom on the second-floor where there is a hall bath and one ensuite bath guest room.

The Problem

The bedroom, although a nice size, was cluttered with too much furniture and too few dressers. What should have been a spacious and comfortable bedroom was not working. Space beneath the roof eaves was wasted, and storage was lacking. The homeowners did not like the carpet and they asked to change it out for oak flooring to resemble the floors throughout the house.

The existing walk-in closet was sufficient—and the couple knew with a proper fit-out by design professionals, it could be better utilized. In addition, the design team showed them that adding built-in dressers would make their closet space more than adequate.

The homeowners felt their master bathroom was poorly laid out with dated plumbing fixtures and finishes. The bathroom was spacious but its awkward placement of the toilet (center of the room) and an oversized platform tub left insufficient space for a shower and little storage. The old bathroom did not make good use of the available space—and the homeowners said they wanted to give up the tub for a better layout and a spacious shower with bench.

The Bathroom

Bathroom Remodeling

The new master bathroom has become one of the homeowners’ favorite spaces in the house. The new layout is not only functional but attractive as well. The toilet (Toto) is unobtrusively tucked into a well-lit corner alcove—no longer the focal point upon entering the bathroom.

The new furniture-like vanity has double sinks and a Silestone countertop. Drawers and under-sink space provide ample storage. Recessed his and her 6’’deep medicine cabinets (Robern) provide eye-level storage, and the mirrored door cleverly conceals the recessed cabinet so it appears as a wall-hung mirror. Wall sconces flank the medicine cabinets and provide illumination at the sinks.

The custom shower stall (a little under 3’ x 7’) is equipped with a bench, one recessed niche with three shelves, and a frameless glass enclosure. An added benefit is the existing skylight directly atop the shower stall. White ceramic tile was installed from floor to ceiling and enhances the showering experience as well as provides safe footing. In addition, a tile wainscot wraps the bathroom walls for easy maintenance and aesthetic pleasure.

At the master bath where the ceiling height slopes down, a custom storage cabinet takes advantage of a low but unused attic space by recessing the cabinet into the attic. The furniture-like cabinet provides a mix of storage with drawers and doors that are an astounding 18” deep. Painted a contrasting color (Benjamin Moore Whale Gray #2134-40) and capped with a crown, it adds a flourish.

The floor received a black marble-like porcelain tile. Thermostatically controlled electric radiant heating beneath the floor tile providing warmth on cold mornings adds a touch of luxury.

The Bedroom

Bedroom Remodeling

The bedroom, sporting a new oak wood floor, was fitted-out with a generous amount of custom built-in units. At the window wall 22’ lineal feet of built-in storage wraps the room in a “U” configuration symmetrically opposite the bed. Dressers and open cubbies provide abundant storage. The center of the window wall features a built-in bench with drawers beneath. An additional custom built-in dresser was added to the space below the sloping roof—the new recessed dresser has a shallow drawer at the top with deeper drawers below, capturing every bit of space. A crown detail caps and embellishes the unobtrusive built-in. Old and poorly crafted attic access panels in the bedroom walls were rebuilt with excellent carpentry and secured by ball catches.

A new stair railing, both guard and handrail, was installed with craftsman quality carpentry and a tasteful paint color (Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain #2134-10).

The homeowners, eager to show off their new space, have cheerfully toured every visitor through the space. Guests and family are more than willing to climb the two flights of stairs to see the newly remodeled master suite. And our clients happily report they now have so much storage that several drawers are empty!