Ivanhoe is one of Melbourne’s most picturesque suburbs, defined by period homes, prestigious schools and a strong sense of community. Within this established enclave, Style Precinct reimagined the master suite of a 1920s Californian Bungalow, creating an elegant retreat that brings modern functionality to classic architecture. The design balances heritage character with a contemporary edge, delivering a luxury bathroom, walk-in robe, and bedroom with a timeless sense of calm and restoration.
The brief was to create a complete master suite with an elegant bedroom, a beautifully organised walk-in robe and a serene ensuite bathroom. The original small bathroom and adjoining bedrooms had been stripped back to exposed brick and floorboards, leaving a blank canvas ready for design. The clients envisioned a luxurious marble bathroom that remained true to the 1920s Art Deco character of their home.
Architectural considerations included positioning new bathroom services within the existing footprint and maximising natural light on the home’s southern side. Noni designed the space to draw daylight deep into the layout through two windows, a new skylight and custom French doors, ensuring all three zones were luminous and flowed effortlessly.
Project at a glance
● Master suite design including ensuite, walk-in robe and bedroom
● Interior design, space planning and material specification
● Light-enhancing design with skylight and reeded glass doors
● Modern bathroom with marble surfaces and brass fittings
● Custom storage and joinery throughout
Designing this master suite called for a balance between modern bathroom aesthetics and the character of a 1920s home. Guided by proportion, tone and texture, the interior design combines light marble surfaces with warm metallic accents and soft neutral walls. Large-format tiles reduce grout lines for easy maintenance, while the Lorde White marble vanity, brushed-brass tapware and black-framed lighting add depth and sophistication. At the heart of the design are custom double French doors with reeded glass, introducing a theatrical touch while maintaining privacy. These doors allow natural light from the ensuite to flood into the walk-in robe, creating a welcoming sense of openness. Every element, from the hand-stitched ottoman in the walk-in-robe to the crystal classical style bedroom chandelier, was carefully considered to form part of the grander scheme. “... a dinky bathroom has been transformed into a luxurious main bedroom suite." - Home Beautiful Magazine
At the heart of the design are custom double French doors with reeded glass, introducing a theatrical touch while maintaining privacy. These doors allow natural light from the ensuite to flood into the walk-in robe, creating a welcoming sense of openness. Every element, from the hand-stitched ottoman in the walk-in-robe to the crystal classical style bedroom chandelier, was carefully considered to form part of the grander scheme. Design details that delight The ensuite expresses modern bathroom design through light, material and proportion, uniting luxury and function. A soft palette of white, grey and brass brings warmth to the marble surfaces, while a black border tile grounds the room with subtle definition. Underfloor heating and bespoke fittings introduce comfort and character. The connection between the ensuite, robe and bedroom is seamless, creating a suite that is generous, unified and balanced. Key features include Custom French doors with reeded glass for privacy and light Large-format tiles and a marble vanity for a seamless modern finish Underfloor heating for year-round comfort Brushed-brass tapware and black accents for timeless contrast Integrated storage and custom lighting in the walk-in robe Cohesive colour palette to complement the home’s Art Deco character
