With our Book Club series, we hand over the proverbial mic to our Experts—letting them share their work, their thought process, and their best tips, all in their own words. The following is an excerpt from Amber Interiors’ Call It Home, published this month with Clarkson Potter.

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The primary bedroom suite in this home has it all.

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A place to lounge, sleep, bathe, take a sauna, and even work (if you must), this space was a true hideaway in the home, and our clients wanted it to feel like a staycation every day. It was important for them to have a place where they could really do it all from the comfort of their bedroom. And it came with a pretty sweet balcony with a gorgeous view of L.A.

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We had some challenges on our hands when we got the plans for this area of the home. The space was quite long and narrow, so we had to make sure every corner was filled and visually interesting. A rule of thumb: Built-in furniture always makes a space feel custom-designed and elevated, so we focused on adding a few key pieces tailored to this bedroom. We opted for a built-in headboard spanning the entire wall, over a typical bed frame. Its nubby-textured fabric was simple, but a paneled wall, custom burlwood nightstands, and brass sconces brightened it. We also added built-in seating along one of the corner windows, with custom tufted cushions, for the ultimate private lounge. As we did throughout the whole house, we paid close attention to the color palette, keeping the tones warm. I wanted this space to feel grounded, a bit earthy, and extremely peaceful.

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Moving into the primary bathroom, we had to design a space around a checklist of things we knew we wanted to add: double water closets, his and her vanities, a sauna, a steam shower, a bathtub, and, of course, big windows so as not to miss out on the abundant natural light. We designed the space to have it all, but we made sure to focus on the elevated details to ensure that this bathroom went above and beyond for the homeowners.

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We opted against using stone or tile on the floors and, instead, chose to carry the same wood used throughout the whole house into the bathroom. It provided a soft, neutral canvas for all the additional architectural elements we added in. By using warm wood tones on the cabinetry, selecting antique-brass plumbing, building a custom brass shower enclave as the focal point of the room, and choosing a deep veined marble for the large tub surround and countertops, we kept the space grounded and gentle. We didn’t miss out on the opportunity to soften the space even further by adding fabric sconce shades, a French-tufted bench cushion, and beautiful drapery behind the tub. Tonal was the theme in this primary room, and we made sure every material and color fit the bill.

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The design of this home for our incredibly special client was a long journey that was ultimately, well, “worth the wait.” We didn’t budge on a single detail, which this home had a whole lot of, and I couldn’t be happier with the finished result.

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Turn Furniture Into Architecture

Our goal for the primary bedroom was to create a tranquil sanctuary that is peaceful and cozy with plenty of seating to lounge around. We had a clear vision for this headboard, which was that it would be low and expansive. We couldn’t find the right option, so we custom-built one and covered it in a wool bouclé fabric. Then we flanked it with burlwood nightstands, which contrast the soft fabric.

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Use Up Every Square Foot

Not everyone wants to work in their bedroom, but this client needed a space where he could hide away and work without being disturbed. So we designed a small, functional office that allowed him to sneak in the occasional early-morning email.

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Look Beyond Tile

I love using wood floors in larger primary bathrooms. I know the consensus is that wet conditions in a bathroom will damage the wood, but just as with using real marble on countertops, I do not shy away from natural materials and love the added patina that results from a truly lived-in home. A beautiful rug or bath mat is often enough to prevent any significant wear and tear to the floor.

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Add Beautiful Bells and Whistles

We designed his-and-hers vanities with a few of my favorite elements: warm wood tones on the cabinetry and antiqued brass plumbing with deep-veined marble for the countertops, which is echoed in the design of the tub. This primary bathroom had it all, including a steam shower with custom brass doors and, to the left, a sauna.

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Buy Call It Home and meet with Amber to get personalized advice for your own home.