Before & After: A 1970’s Sunken Bedroom Renovation with Milenka Heezeman

Transforming a vision into reality is at the heart of Heatherly. After our Founder and Director Georgie met Milenka Heezeman in our Melbourne Showroom for a design consultation, we knew this project would be special.

Drawing from Milenka’s love of mid-century design and the unique character of her home, we worked together from concept to delivery, ensuring every detail from the width of the bedhead fitting in the cavity to access for power points were meticulously crafted to meet Milenka’s vision. Our process goes beyond just providing furniture; it’s about understanding our client’s brief and bringing their dreams to life. Milenka’s love for design began in her early 20s when she purchased her first unit. “I started creating mood boards and coming up with design concepts for its future renovation,” she shares. Her Instagram, @interior_styling, originally a collection of inspirational spaces, quickly gained traction as others related to her down to earth approach to renovating her family home. 

The house
Milenka and James had been on the hunt for their dream home for two years so when they found this house in Research, it was love at first sight. “I loved this particular pocket of Research as it is quiet and bushy but still only minutes from the shops and schools” she explains. The house ticked every box with its solid bones, great layout, and unique character, though it needed significant work. “Slow, intentional and sympathetic to the original character of the home are our focus for this renovation,” she emphasizes.

The Sunken Primary Bedroom
The sunken primary bedroom was one of the standout features of the home which Milenka immediately gravitated to. Keeping their king-size bed and positioning it to ensure the view to the valley beyond could be admired when in bed resulted in the bed having to be switched to a different wall and customised to fit the nook. To bring Milenka’s vision to life, HD recommended the Waldon bedhead upholstered in Dora Copper—a buttery soft, matte velvet in a rich tone. “Knowing there were a lot of bricks, we opted for a matte velvet in a rich tone, curving corners to create a snug in the space and to offset the curved bed side tables,” director of HD Georgie explains. The 1970s Australiana theme influenced the choice of this fabric, which complemented the room’s colours beautifully, adding a moody, yet cozy feel. The curves of the Waldon with inlaid piped detail softened the room’s hard brick finishes and created a sanctuary within the space. To complete the look, a coordinating valance was custom-made to fit the existing ensemble bed base to specific measurements which visually connected the base of the bed to the bedhead.

Balancing Style and Practicality
Balancing style and practicality, the room’s décor is a blend of carefully curated pieces, including wool Berber carpet installed by Slocum Floor coverings in Eltham, custom bedside shelves by Manner Furniture, and an oversized paper pendant from Freedom. The bed linen is a mix of IN BED and Target, while a floral cushion from Bonnie and Neil adds a touch of whimsy. The finishing touch is a Kizu Table Lamp from Design Stuff, featuring the Rosso Levanto marble that Milenka is currently obsessed with. As the renovation continues, this sunken bedroom stands as a shining example of how thoughtful design and careful planning can come together. Continue following Milenka’s design journey here.

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Waldon bedhead & Bed valance

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