Creating a Wonderful Master Bedroom And Bath

Enlisting the help of a professional could be a saving grace

To shorten their extremely long commute, many Americans are moving out of the suburbs and into the city. However, this also means trading in a brand-new, spacious dig for a 100-year-old row house that needed lots of work.

To save money, the many intrepid couples decided to don safety glasses and sledgehammers and do it themselves. But after a certain length of time goes by, couples have realized they have bitten off more than they can chew. Their houses are still in shambles, and they often run out of money, ideas and patience.

Many couples often grow weary, and consider abandoning their projects. However, if they can afford to hire a professional to finish their kitchen remodel, for instance, the couples' sanity can be saved. Couples also might want to consider simplifying their projects, like purchasing a bath enclosure rather than completely redoing a bathroom.

Here is a professional's account of a typical couple who has enlisted help:

The couple wanted their third-floor bedroom to be an open space with a bright, airy loft feeling. They had gutted it with that in mind, but the shell of a room lay unfinished in a heap of dust and debris. So the first order of the day was drywall -- a lot of drywall. I created walls and ceilings, and lay down a sub-floor covered with beautiful dark vinyl that has the look of wood.

Once the basics were in place, I chose a color palette for the space. When searching around for inspiration, I found a box labeled "Barb's favorite fabrics." In it, I discovered a gorgeous sage-and-gold cloth that gave me the jumping-off point I needed for the paint, fabrics and tiles.

I then got busy dividing the loft into two zones: a bedroom and a bathroom. I separated the two areas with a wall of closets that provide storage, privacy and soundproofing. In addition, I closed off the smaller entrance to the bathroom with a series of woven panels on a track system that will slide across the space when privacy is needed.

In the bedroom, I put in a king-sized bed with a chocolate-brown upholstered headboard.

For added warmth and ambience, I put in gorgeous linens and throw pillows in a variety of textures and colors. And, for a touch of romance, I installed a beautiful crystal chandelier above the bed.

In the bathroom, I created a little closed-off space for the toilet, but left the rest of the space open.

In this open area, I installed a gorgeous old-style tub with cast-iron feet (after I reinforced the floor to accommodate this 700-pound beauty); a glass-enclosed shower, complete with solid white quartz walls and a feature wall in a beautiful green rippled tile; and a stylish vanity with a quartz countertop, a stunning sink in a gold-and-green paisley pattern, a mirror and two sconces.

After adding a variety of accents and accessories, this third-floor bed and bath were complete. With some high-end fixtures and finishes, a mixture of textures and colors and creative planning, Barb and Evan got the loft space they desired.

Now, with their bedroom-renovation woes behind them, the couple can finally get a good night's sleep -- and start dreaming about finishing the other rooms in their house. How divine!