How to Turn a North-Facing Room into a Luxurious Escape
in North London Family House

A North-Facing Bedroom Retreat in North London, Full of Warmth, Wit, and Quiet Luxury
Tucked away in a bustling North London home shared by two busy professionals and their children, this north-facing bedroom with an en-suite was in desperate need of transformation. Once cold, dark and oddly structured—with no fewer than six internal doors—the space offered little sense of calm or cohesion. The brief was clear: no standard white-and-grey scheme. Instead, the clients longed for a joyful, elegant sanctuary that would feel restful at the end of a long working day—something personal and full of character.
"They chose the right hands," designer Tatiana says with a smile. "I don’t do formulaic. No white walls with grey accents. I wanted to give them something unique that reflected them, not just a trend."

Colour With Purpose
The challenge was set from the start: how do you inject warmth and personality into a north-facing bedroom without relying on neutrals? The answer came in the form of a warm, inviting palette inspired by the home’s lush garden views. A soft cream tone was used on the walls and ceiling, enveloping the room in a subtle glow. For a joyful lift, accents of terracotta were applied to the coving and skirting—a quiet surprise that instantly brought life to the space.
The statement mural wallpaper became the visual anchor of the room, its botanical motif echoing the greenery outside and setting the tone for the colour scheme. “It’s the first thing you see when you walk in,” Tatiana explains. “It draws you in and brings an emotional connection to the natural world, even when the days are grey.”

Design With Flow
A series of quirky layout decisions meant this north-facing bedroom felt more like a corridor than a place to rest. With six identical internal doors—including full-sized doors for built-in wardrobes—the space lacked cohesion and calm. “We had to completely rethink the flow,” says designer Tatiana, who was brought in to turn the room into a restful, character-filled sanctuary.

The wardrobe doors were replaced with slimmer, built-in joinery enhanced by delicate trim detailing, giving the space a tailored, considered feel. Painted in the same warm tone as the walls, the joinery now blends seamlessly into the architecture, allowing the room to breathe.

One seemingly small design flaw made a big impact on everyday life: the awkward clash between the wardrobe door and the bedroom door. “My client had to close one, open the other, take out a drawer, grab what he needed, then reverse the whole process,” Tatiana explains. The solution came in the form of elegant bi-folding wardrobe doors, allowing for ease of access without compromising layout or style—proof that small changes can dramatically enhance daily comfort.

The flow of the space was further refined with the redesign of the en-suite entrance. Previously a jarring visual element, the door was reimagined as a flush-fit design, painted in the same tone as the walls to quietly disappear into the background. “It was a real challenge for the builders,” Tatiana notes, “but it completely transformed the feel of the room. No visual interruptions—just a soft, harmonious atmosphere.”

The result is a bedroom that feels serene and effortlessly functional. Each decision, from the joinery to the colour palette, was made with the client’s lifestyle in mind—ensuring the room offers not only elegance but genuine ease and enjoyment at the end of a long day.

Lighting and Layers
Lighting was another area in need of serious attention. The room had just one central ceiling light—hardly enough for a multifunctional space. A layered lighting scheme was introduced, including downlights, a ceiling fixture over the bed, and reading lamps for nighttime bookworms. “Lighting should work with you, not against you,” Tatiana says. “It’s all about creating atmosphere.”
Brass accents, used sparingly, add moments of glamour and warmth, while carefully chosen furnishings—a luxurious dressing chair, soft wood tones, and plush textiles—complete the picture of an elegant, lived-in space.

The Ensuite Escape
The en-suite had its own list of problems: poor layout, dated finishes, a green wall colour that felt more cold than calming. Tatiana’s redesign brought it back to life with a harmonious blend of texture, tone and function.
A new, wider vanity with a beautiful mirror became the centrepiece, complemented by a separate shaving mirror and much-needed built-in storage. These storage units were painted to match the walls, ensuring they blend in rather than dominate the small space. The scheme is tied together with herringbone mosaic tiles in the shower niche—joyful, tactile, and quietly luxurious—mirrored by herringbone flooring underfoot.
Glossy green tiles on the shower walls reference the natural hues found in the bedroom’s mural, while dark wood elements introduce a sense of grounding and calm. Even the knobs were chosen with care: their pattern echoing the vanity splashback and flooring, offering a subtle rhythm that unites the room.

A Happy Ending
The result is a space that feels indulgent without being overstated, designed not to impress others but to deeply satisfy the people who live in it. As the clients put it:
“Tatiana assisted us with the renovation of two bedrooms, one of which was en-suite, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Her designs were thoughtful and creative, demonstrating meticulous attention to every single detail. She guided us through the entire process, managed the renovation works, and even helped source materials. Her dedication made the experience smooth and stress-free.”

Your North London Interior Designer and Colour Expert, Tatiana Lang