The Suite Life: Five Must-Haves for the Ultimate Retreat
Master suites are a place to recharge and focus on self-care. They can be located on the first or second floor and the design can be anything from modern to traditional. But, according to Normandy Designer Ashley Noethe, all of the really great ensuites have these five things in common… 
Walk-In Closet and Storage– Clutter has been known to cause stress and anxiety. That is why setting up your bedroom and bathroom with proper storage is important.
“In most cases, a room is unorganized because there’s not enough storage,” said Ashley. “A walk-in closet, hooks, bins and drawers give you the ability to properly put things away – ensuring that your space is a clutter-free zone.”
Luxury Shower and Soaker Tub– Forget your standard bathtub and shower combination. We’re turning master bathrooms into full-blown spas.
“We’re making master bathrooms much larger and incorporating luxurious showers and bathtubs,” said Ashley. “We’re talking walk-in showers with the works –steam, body sprays and rain showerheads. There’s nothing more relaxing that a hot bath, so we’re also including free-standing soaking tubs.”
Cozy Seating Area– A seating area with couches, window seats or plush chairs makes the space more of a retreat – providing a spot to sit and read, or watch television.
“Your bedroom isn’t just for sleeping,” said Ashley. “Adding some seating adds offers place to sit and relax in the room.”
Tray Ceiling– Adding some detail to your ceiling gives the illusion of additional space as well as visual interest.
Multiple Layers of Light– Lighting might not seem glamorous, but it can make your space much cozier. In addition to lamps, you can also consider recessed lighting and decorative lighting like chandeliers. Putting your lighting on a dimmer also helps set the mood. You can keep things bright, or lower the lighting when relaxing in the evening.
“Your master bedroom and bath should have several layers of lighting, including laps, ceiling and decorative,” said Ashley. “This enhances the design and ambiance.”
At the end of the day, you should come home to a personalized space that has whatever you need to relax and 
unwind.
“Your master suite should be an escape.” said Ashley. “Your design should be all about comfort, incorporating things that make you happy.”
“This means different things to different people, so think about what you really need” added Ashley. “Anything goes.”
Set up an appointment with Ashley to start discussing your master suite retreat. Or, gather more information and design ideas by registering for an upcoming workshop or by following Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram. You can also gather more inspiration by visiting the Normandy Remodeling photo gallery.
Read more like this: Ashley Noethe, master suite
