California Contemporary Main Suite Is Fresh + Bright

Christina Anstead makes over her best friend's main bedroom and bathroom, transforming it from an awkward, dated layout to an open and relaxing retreat.

By: Chelsey Bowen

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Photo By: Erik Voake; Getty Images

Friendly Renovation

Christina remodeled the first level of Cassie's house last year, and now the upstairs and downstairs feel like two totally different homes. They want to bring the California contemporary style from the kitchen and living areas up to the main bedroom and bathroom.

Before: Handy yet Drab

The closet off Cassie's bathroom was tiny, so she had installed a built-in closet in the bedroom to have enough room to store her clothes, shoes and purses.

After: Sophisticated + Spacious

The removal of the built-in organizer expands the bedroom drastically, without having to actually add extra square footage to the room. Christina moves the bed so that it takes full advantage of the city-life views through the windows.

Max Out Your Nightstand

Wooden nightstands deliver warmth to the gray-and-white color palette. To make the most of the petite nightstand, pendant lights hang above for illumination rather than adding a lamp. Placing a houseplant on your beside table not only brings life into the space, but it also helps to clean your air and reduce stress.

To the Touch

Christina chooses pillows and textiles that are full of tactile appeal, including pillows dotted with pom-poms, bedding with fuzzy stripes and chunky knitted throws.

Plush Surroundings

The gray tufted bed with nailhead detailing and light wood trim establishes a modern elegance in Cassie's bedroom redo. Loads of cozy throws top the bed with ultra-soft glam for a serene escape at the end of the day.

Overlapping Style

Layered area rugs add softness underfoot and double up the texture in your room. A foolproof way to mix patterns is to choose ones in the same color scheme, such as this black, gray and white pairing.

Before: Tight Squeeze

Tucked into a separate room, the shower area is cramped and basic. The space hasn't been updated in 20 years, and Cassie has $30,000 budgeted for her main suite makeover.

After: Statement on a Budget

Christina starts the bathroom redo by removing the walls of the shower area to open up the bathroom. Cassie wanted to surround the shower in a large marble slab, but with a $10,000 price tag, Christina sought out a savvy solution. She uses smaller cuts of porcelain tile laid out so that the veining flows together to forge the look of marble for only a fraction of the cost: $2,500.

A Space of One's Own

Previously, there was no privacy between the bedroom and bathroom. By extending the wall that now houses the double vanity, Christina is able to construct a pocket door and devise true separation between the two spaces.

His-and-Her Double Vanity

A modern flat panel vanity is clad in white quartz countertops. Black hardware and fixtures generate an eye-catching contrast, while adding definition to the all-white palette.

Cutting-Edge Design

To boost the spa-like effect of the bathroom, the shower features a mod black rainfall showerhead. The exposed piping brings in a contemporary industrial vibe.

Before: Not-So Functional

The large vanity area was the only spot Cassie used in her bathroom; however, the faucet barely trickled out water — not even enough to brush her teeth.

After: Upscale Transformation

The practical and polished closet opens up to the bathroom, which has a chic vanity completed dedicated to getting ready.

Prepping in Style

Since the one thing Cassie liked about her old bathroom was having a large vanity to do her makeup, Christina made sure to include an updated version in her new space. To tie the dresser and double vanity together, she uses the same sleek white cabinetry, quartz countertops, black-trimmed mirror and sconces.

Clever, Clean-Cut Storage

For an uncluttered look, opt for acrylic containers to store makeup and vanity essentials, such as brushes and cotton balls and swaps.

Before: Way Too Small Closet

The teeny tiny closet had very little storage, which is why Cassie had the built-ins in her bedroom.

After: Dreamy Wardrobe

To enlarge and build out the L-shaped closet, they take the space from the linen one in the hallway. The openness of the closet to the makeup vanity and the floor-length mirror create the look and feel of a luxe dressing room.

Curate Your Closet

In addition to creating a more functional space with plenty of hanging room and drawers for storage, Christina helps Cassie make the most of her remodeled closet by purging things she no longer needs. "Going through a renovation is a good time to pare down, and only bring back in the stuff you actually use and love," says Christina.

Smart + Durable

To ground the bathroom, gray tile is cut into three by 15 inches and laid in a herringbone pattern. Shaggy rugs in a neutral geometric pattern bring visual and physical warmth to the cool floor.

Christina on the Coast