What draws you to the master suite?
It's hard to believe how much the role of bedrooms has evolved over the years. It used to be that bedrooms were just chambers for sleeping and ... other things that will go unmentioned. Bedrooms used to be on the bottom of the list in importance when decorating. So exactly when did these rooms grow into the multifunctional spaces they are today?
At some point between the 1970s and '80s, the idea of the large master bedroom was conceived. First, there was the “must have” sexy king-size water bed, which was soon followed by the ubiquitous Jacuzzi in the bathroom, and — ta-dah! — the master suite was born.
All kidding aside, these furnishings were likely the catalyst for the trend toward supersized everything. From an interior design point of view, everything has gotten bigger: the amount of counter space required for two individuals sharing a bathroom, the amount of space needed for clothing, even the sizes of our beds.
We have grown, physically and culturally, and this has changed the way we design and decorate our bedrooms. Bedrooms now are used in so many ways: for watching TV, for studying, for reading and listening to music and as a location for hobbies such as sewing or games. Some bedrooms even serve as a home office. The bedroom, and more specifically the master suite, is an adult getaway.
This is why today's bedrooms shun the “bedroomy” look of matching suites of furniture in favor of carefully selected items that complement one another. Today's bedrooms are like a well-mixed cocktail. Everyone is after the perfect combination of finishes, furniture styles, fresh color ideas, unusual patterns, innovative window treatments and wall coverings, and inspired bed linens. In bedrooms, noting should be banal or impersonal. Everything should express personal taste.
Still, when designing a bedroom, certain requirements must be satisfied. First, you must have a bed, as well as ample storage, seating and lighting. Master bedrooms are so large in newer constructions that they resemble self-contained mini-apartments — with a living room, a mini-dining area, and a beverage and snack center. Walk-in closets seem to be the new “normal” and are large enough for Carrie Bradshaw to feel at home.
When furnishing a master suite, one should embrace a sense of practicality, as well. For example, for those requiring intensive fitness routines, the master bedroom could house a fitness center.
If you are not in newer construction, there are still options to create the bedroom suite of your dreams. Taking an additional bedroom, say one vacated by your college-bound child, could be the first step toward creating your personal space. An architect or designer can reconfigure your space to enlarge a bathroom, add a walk-in closet or even to open the bedroom to your bath to create a spalike experience. When combining rooms, your creativity is the only barrier to creating an inspired bedroom suite.
• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.
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