Part 2 - Reimagining the Bedroom Retreat: From Bare Structure to a Warm, Restful Sanctuary

Some spaces require only light adjustments to reveal their character. Others, like this upstairs bedroom and living area, demand a completely new vision. When we first encountered this section of the house, it felt like an unfinished shell: raw brick, uneven plaster, cold concrete floors, and a layout that lacked warmth, direction, and identity. Yet, beneath the rough textures was a quiet potential waiting to be brought forward.

At Resonance Designs, our approach is to listen to what a space is trying to become. Here, the upstairs floor felt like it wanted to be a retreat: a soft, intimate counterpart to the industrial edges of the building. The goal wasn’t simply to decorate, but to transform the entire atmosphere from exposed and echoing to calm, balanced, and deeply livable.

Seeing the Possibilities: The Bedroom Before

The original bedroom area was stark and colorless. Concrete walls met raw brick without intention, and the thick wall to the solarium amplified the feeling of heaviness. The space was visually disconnected from the solarium outside, even though the potential for natural light was right there behind the concrete railing.

Still, the bones were excellent: high ceilings, original brick with history, and a rare indoor–outdoor connection. Our task was to reveal the beauty that was hidden beneath the roughness.

Bringing Warmth to Life: The Transformation

To shift the atmosphere, we introduced materials that would soften the space without erasing its character. The ceiling and headboard wall were clad in warm wood panels, adding intimacy and visual coherence. The brick wall was preserved and cleaned, allowing its texture to become a design feature rather than a distraction.

Lighting was also key. Soft, globe-style sconces flanking the bed created a warm, restful glow, and the ceiling lighting was adjusted to feel inviting instead of clinical.

The biggest transformation came from embracing natural light. Heavy visual barriers were removed, and the solarium outside the bedroom was redesigned to feel harmonious with the interior. Now, the morning sun moves gently across the bed, and greenery from the solarium creates a sense of connection to nature.

Layered textiles such as plush pillows, a woven rug, and a rich navy throw completed the feeling of comfort. What was once a cold concrete chamber is now a warm, intimate bedroom retreat.

A New Life for the Living Area

The adjacent upstairs living hall underwent an equally dramatic transformation. Before renovation, it was an open stretch of concrete and unfinished brick, with no warmth or purpose. Now, it serves as a second living area; a quiet place to read, rest, or reflect.

We preserved the raw character of the brick but softened it with textiles, vintage seating, and curated art. A patterned rug grounds the space, while classic armchairs give it an old-world charm that complements the building’s heritage. The recessed wall shelf, once simply an opening, is now a styled display that adds cultural texture and visual interest.

What was once just circulation space is now a living zone with soul.

Closing Thoughts: A Space That Breathes Again

This transformation was about more than adding furniture or décor, it was about giving the upstairs floor a new emotional tone. The bedroom became a sanctuary of warmth and rest. The living area became a place to pause and feel at home. And together, they now resonate with the history of the building while embracing a softer, more inviting personality.

The upstairs level no longer feels unfinished or forgotten.

It feels lived in.

It feels balanced.

It feels like home.

Read Part 3 - The Heart of the Home: Finishing the Kitchen & Dining Area