Revamping Second-Story Sanctuaries
When a Maryland couple approached interior designer Dana Schwartz to transform their four second-story bedrooms into private guest suites, they received more than they could have hoped for: eclectic-yet-elegant retreats that smack of individuality.
Would you tell us about your design background?
After graduating college with a bachelor’s in English, I had a few editorial and social media jobs. But I just didn’t love my career and wanted to do something I was more passionate about. So I went to design school in 2011 and worked for three interior designers, gaining valuable experience in the industry. I then opened my own firm in 2019.
How would you define your sense of style?
I would say my style is to add a little color and some funky, unexpected stuff to every home to freshen it up. However, not every client wants that. Thankfully, the homeowners of this project let me go a little crazy, which I loved.
But I’m not the kind of designer you go to for a specific look. Though I hope that clients come to me for my elevated style, my goal is always to bring their vision to life and make their home feel like them, not like me. The results should never be a copy-and-paste of the other designs I do. That’s why it’s really important for me to get to know my clients well.
How did this couple approach you?
They saw an article about one of my projects that was actually in their Silver Springs, Maryland neighborhood and enjoyed its use of color. They wanted to infuse more life into four second-story guest bedrooms in their home, so they reached out to me.
The clients had built this house almost twenty years ago when they were raising their family, and the kids’ bedrooms looked very childish—they weren’t very appropriate for adults staying over, even their now-grown children. The homeowners travel a lot and, inspired by the hotels and resorts they’ve stayed at, wanted each room to feel like an elegant guest suite.
What choices did you make to execute this concept?
There were some initial struggles because we had to fully renovate two bedrooms: the blue one and the one with magnolia wallpaper, which used to be connected by a guest Jack and Jill bath. A lot of construction was necessary before we even got to the design process, and that was a little tricky to execute. We had to move doors around, including an attic entryway, and modify plumbing—probably the least fun part of any project.
The actual design process started with wallpaper. The clients loved the idea of using very textured products, so we explored different options before landing on choices that I could design around. I used those jumping-off points for each bedroom to decide on furniture and smaller decor, and then the rest kind of fell into place.
Every room has its own personality, even though they’re all similar in size. For example, the gray one feels glamorous with its floral wallpaper and subtle-patterned bedding. Meanwhile, the blue one leans more masculine thanks to the restored antique bed and grass cloth wallpaper. The same is true of the en suite bathrooms—features like the floral mirror in the green one and horsetail sconce in the reddish one help give each suite a unique feel. Now when people visit, they can say “I want the purple room” or “I like the blue one.”
The coffee bar centered in the main hallway was also key. My clients asked for a convenient drink station near the bedrooms to prevent guests from having to come downstairs for refreshments. So we installed a sink and cabinets for storing food and drinks, and inside the lower drawers are a refrigerator and freezer. And the faucet is a hot/cold tap, allowing people to make tea, etc. These elements suited the hotel concept nicely.
Do you have a favorite feature of this project?
I have a couple. I’m obsessed with the bunk beds in the purple room because they’re so fun and stylish. Since people in their twenties or older may be staying here, we had to elevate the design from a former kid’s bedroom. But I was glad to be able to preserve this one’s youthful energy. We worked with my contractor to reinforce the ceiling so it could hold up the beds.
I also love the connecting bedroom with its fun purple Murphy bed. My clients wanted to create a lounge space where guests’ kids could hang out together and a nanny could sleep if any families brought one with them. That meant the room had to be functional for both sleep and socializing, and I think it came out perfectly.
Which current design trends do you enjoy?
I love burl wood—it has such a unique, elegant texture. In the last two years or so, a lot of furniture and decor has been made with it, which I appreciate. I also enjoy the tone-on-tone look—same-colored walls, furniture, etc.—because it’s really elegant. I used that approach for the blue bedroom in this project.
What is your number one design tip?
I would say that when you’re shopping for larger, pricier pieces like armchairs and sofas, keeping things neutral makes the most sense. Then have fun with pillows and other decor that include pops of color. You don’t have to invest a lot of money in these items and can easily change them out after a year or two as trends change.
For more info, visit danaschwartzdesign.com