A Primary Suite that Embraces Quiet Luxury

Scheme Queens

Jul 17

see how our team created a Soft, texture-filled suite for the ages

Our clients, a young couple with an eye for bold design and historic preservation, purchased this 1915 townhouse in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle ready to bring it back to life and make it functional for their growing family. This attention to detail is particularly evident in the primary bedroom and bathroom, which reveals a soft, fresh color palette that earns its interest from textures and small doses of pattern. Let’s explore how we created a room that complemented the home’s classic bones, spoke to the owners’ eclectic design preferences, and felt calm enough for daily rest and relaxation.

set the tone

While adventurous appear throughout the house (think swirly resin coffee tables, jewel-toned sofas, acid green walls) the primary suite was approached with a sense of quiet sophistication and refinement. Inspiration was taken from Parisian architecture and design and leans neutral with special attention to finishes. Our designers carefully selected elements that would contribute to the space feeling cozy and warm, such as hand-embroidered upholstery, a wool-blend rug, warm-stained wood floors, and plaster walls. Touches of pink and purple in the stone and furnishings integrated the matriarch’s feminine bent.

optimize the footprint

Given the narrowness of the historic townhome, we went through several iterations of the floor plan to maximize functionality. A small vestibule that can be closed off from the main hallway with pocket doors connects the bedroom, bathroom, and dressing room while maintaining privacy. Shopping trips with the client helped ensure the furnishings felt right for the space—in scale, material, and comfort. Standout pieces include a silk pendant, cushy velvet armchair, and low-profile brass vanity sconces.

Our client fell in love with the Pierre Frey’s Pommiers Bicolore fabric while shopping in New York, so we made it the focal point of the bedroom by using it to upholster the custom bed. The linens are quiet to keep the attention on the bespoke bed, and the extra-long lumbar pillow was a lucky online find that ended up adding just the right amount of unexpectedness with its geometric lines. As voracious readers, the owners opted for layered bedside lighting with both a sconce and table lamp to tailor the amount of reading light.

In the bathroom, we extended the understated color palette but kept the space from feeling basic or boring by employing a plethora of materials. Rather than outfitting the space with classic bathroom materials like tile, we continued the herringbone wood floor into the room and plastered the walls for a spa-like feel. These elevated finishes create a seamless transition from bedroom to bathroom. Brass hardware and plumbing fixtures bring added warmth.