Master class in bringing light and life to previously gloomy, closed off spaces

Once compartmentalised and claustrophobic, an existing master suite has been transformed, with lightness and openness achieved in several ways

A master class in bringing light and life architecture, bathroom, bathtub, building, ceiling, floor, furniture, home, house, interior design, plumbing fixture, property, real estate, room, sink, tap, tile, gray — A master class in bringing light and life to previously gloomy, closed off spaces, this master suite renovation has opened the bathroom and adjacent walk-in robe up to the sea-facing bedroom beyond. With the obstructive interior walls removed, designer Kim Duffin replaced it with a short wall that works as a shoe gallery on this side and as a bedhead on the other.

While designed along contemporary, pared back and sculptural architecture, bathroom, building, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, furniture, home, house, interior design, material property, plumbing fixture, property, real estate, room, sink, tap, tile, gray, black

In further pursuit of lightness for this master architecture, bathroom, floor, flooring, glass, interior design, marble, material property, property, room, tile, wall, gray, black

This reworked master suite design provides new view architecture, bathroom, building, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, furniture, home, house, interior design, loft, property, real estate, room, tile, wall, gray

A wood batten wall at the entry to building, ceiling, design, floor, flooring, furniture, home, house, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, table, gray

A green ottoman is positioned at the centre building, ceiling, closet, footwear, furniture, interior design, room, shelf, shelving, shoe, shoe store, wine cellar, winery, black, gray

Shoe wardrobe one side, master bedroom headboard the architecture, building, display case, footwear, furniture, interior design, property, room, shelf, shelving, shoe, wine rack, gray

Dark wall and cabinet tones accentuate the warmth architecture, bed, bed frame, bed sheet, bedding, bedroom, building, ceiling, floor, furniture, hardwood, home, house, interior design, linens, loft, mattress, property, real estate, room, suite, wall, wood flooring, gray, black

For this light-bringing renovation, designer Kim Duffin replaced architecture, building, ceiling, closet, design, floor, flooring, furniture, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, room, shelf, shelving, wall, gray, black

Even the feature contemporary pendants are transparent in architecture, building, ceiling, closet, floor, flooring, furniture, home, interior design, property, real estate, room, shelf, shelving, shoe store, gray, brown

A low nib wall in the shower zone architecture, building, ceiling, design, floor, furniture, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, room, shelf, shelving, gray

Prior to this master suite renovation, only the architecture, bed, bed sheet, bedroom, building, ceiling, floor, furniture, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, room, suite, gray, black

Even the most beautiful of sea outlooks is hard to enjoy from behind a closed door or an intervening wall. However, this comprehensive master suite renovation has taken just such an obstructive scenario and turned it on its head.

In fact, along with unlocking the stunning sea views, the introduction of an abundance of natural light was another major plus resulting from this master suite makeover by Kim Duffin.

The existing plan had the bathroom and dressing room separated off from the large master bedroom, which enjoys expansive views of the water and plenty of natural light.

“The existing bathroom was all 45 degree angles, with a decor I would describe as outdated Italian,” says Duffin.

“While restricted by an immovable curved corner wall, we pretty much stripped everything else out and started again.”

In the key stroke of the renovation, Duffin opened the existing ensuite and parallel, similar-sized walk-in wardrobe to the adjacent master bedroom, and its water views.

The new, open arrangement brought natural light into the dressing area and bathroom, transforming the previously windowless, and so gloomy, spaces. It also gave all three rooms a greater sense of space.

To achieve this, Duffin removed the existing wall between the bedroom and inner rooms and introduced a short wall a metre further into the bedroom. The new wall forms a bedhead on one side while on the other side – facing the bathroom and wardrobe – it is a dedicated shoe wardrobe.

“The wall is only as wide as the bed and side tables, opening the wardrobe and bathroom to view and light corridors on both sides.”

Now one big open room, the different areas are denoted in part by changes in surfaces – the tile floor in the bathroom giving way to carpet in the bedroom and dressing room, for example.

The bathroom itself is zoned for easy use, with the bath and double shower both set on a plinth – a way of concealing reworked services. The shower has a low privacy wall, another way of admitting light to the back of the room.

Opposite the freestanding tub, the wall-hung vanity and shelf further add to the sense of lightness and spaciousness. Alongside, a vibrant ottoman is at the centre point of all three rooms.

Concealed strip lighting – over 85m-worth in total – is used to highlight everything from the wall mirror to the dressing room shelving, at the same time further brightening the spaces.