Date: May 19, 2017 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek |
Designer Melissa Haynes creates a serene bedroom and bath for an on-the-go pair of Fayetteville doctors
When you work in the healthcare field, your days can be filled with consultations and treatments, and your nights and weekends may include on-call shifts. With the workload and urgency of this profession, having a place to unwind is paramount when it comes to designing your home. A pair of doctors, who own this Fayetteville home, called on designer Melissa Haynes to create a serene master suite that would allow them to do just that. Here’s how she created a sanctuary the couple could enjoy at night or during the day.
Lay the Groundwork
Of the two rooms, the bath was in need of the biggest overhaul when it came to construction; “there were some interesting window scenarios that we wanted to make work in our favor,” Haynes says. Most notably, there is a large transom over the vanity. The designer reconfigured the layout to center the vanity and mirror on the transom, allowing the homeowners to benefit from the natural light but not drawing one’s eye to the feature. Tall upper cabinets bookend the updated design.
In the bedroom, plantation shutters were removed to allow for more natural light as well as a cleaner overall feel. The fireplace that sits opposite the bed was shifted to be centered on the wall, and its natural stone façade was traded for marble—a material that was in line with Haynes’ light and calm vision for the spaces.
Choose a Hue
“She told me that she really wanted a place where they could rest and also for it to be a room where they would hang out,” Haynes says. To set the tone, the designer used Glidden’s “Westerly Wind” on the walls of the bedroom, a color she had chosen for use in their prior home. “The homeowner loved this color, and it made sense to use it here again,” the designer says. “It can be cool and clean, and it changes a lot based on the light and time of day.” Haynes also notes that it complements the view of the acreage where the house is situated. The wall color carries over into the bath at a lower saturation.
Throughout the adjoining spaces, the hue is complemented by a range of blues that can be seen on upholstered pieces, throw pillows, draperies, and even on the bedside lamps. The effect is a design that doesn’t allow any one object to stand out too boldly but rather creates a sense of calm that fills the room. “We didn’t want it to be too busy with pattern, so we saturated the space with color variation,” Haynes notes.
Play Favorites
The wall color wasn’t the only thing that carried over from the couple’s previous home; many of the furniture pieces were brought from their former residence. “She had some great pieces—many from when we worked on the renovation of her other house—and we really wanted to use those. It just made sense,” Haynes says. However, the designer was not aiming for a repeat of the couple’s former bedroom. “From a room we put together in 2008, we took the classic furnishings and then made it more current, more fresh with acrylic pieces, reflective surfaces, and accessories,” she says. This blend of modern and traditional gives the room an edge that appears equal parts timeless and trendsetting—a look that is sure to be inviting and revitalizing for years to come.
Melissa’s Tips for Creating a Restful Space
Use soft, calming colors and a tone-on-tone palette with variations within a single color, rather than adding in multiple hues and patterns.
Diffuse the light with soft light fixtures that include shades.
Use a warm light source. I recommend 40-watt incandescent soft, warm white bulbs.
Add softness with plush linens, fabrics, and rugs.
Use upholstered furniture pieces where you can. They add comfort.
Prioritize organization. Add plenty of storage in the bath so things aren’t left on the counter. Less mess equals less stress!
Eliminate the television. This allows the space to be a safe haven from the world without outside distractions.
Incorporate a view. When possible, plan the design to take advantage of a scenic outlook.
Design Resources
Interior design Melissa Haynes, MH Design, Inc.
Contractor Preston Bacon, Preston & Company
Accessories, art, bedding, cabinetry—design, carpet, fabrics, fireplace—design, furniture, hardware, lighting, mirrors, rugs, and tile MH Design, Inc.
Bedding—pillows and custom side table skirt Mountjoy’s Custom Draperies
Cabinetry—construction, fireplace—woodwork, and millwork Preston & Company
Countertops Petersen Granite & Marble, LLC
Fixtures Ferguson Plumbing Supply
Paint Benjamin Moore and Glidden
Painting Rocky’s Painting
Window coverings Nancy Osborn
