EPISODE THREE
The joy of being an interior designer is that every project is different. Often you are dealing with small, cramped spaces, or remodels with unmovable elements in the room. An absolute gift for a designer is a large blank space. Now, I’ve designed some large sex rooms before, so you can imagine how excited I was when I saw Hannah & Wesley’s basement.
To give you an idea of just how big the space was, it could have easily been a studio apartment, just without a bed. As I stepped down into the enormous room, my mind was already beginning to fill with endless possibilities.
Hannah & Wesley are a young couple with a lot of energy, but with a boisterous, exuberant son who has taken over most of the upstairs. The couple needed an adult space of their own, an intimate place where they could re-connect and have glorious sex.
Hannah & Wesley are a young couple with a lot of energy, but with a boisterous, exuberant son who has taken over most of the upstairs. The couple needed an adult space of their own, an intimate place where they could re-connect and have glorious sex.
THE EXISTING ROOM
In its current state, the basement was being used as a storage area. There were no built-ins and I could clearly see the concrete walls, plumbing, gas pipes and metal support beams. This was ideal. Sometimes when you are remodeling a space, you don’t always have the luxury of seeing what is going on behind the walls, especially in older homes. There are often surprises and occasionally shocks: faulty wiring, leaking pipes, rotting boards, wooden support beams that have seen better days and are now woodworm hotels, rats nests, wasp nests, mice nests. I’ve seen them all. But in a basement like this, I could easily identify what was going on, which gave me a good idea just how I was going to turn this storage room into something very sexy and playful.
I was also grateful that it had several large windows, which kept the room light. Windows in a basement are just an added bonus! So, for the design I just had to figure out how much of the basement I was going to use for their unique space.
I was also grateful that it had several large windows, which kept the room light. Windows in a basement are just an added bonus! So, for the design I just had to figure out how much of the basement I was going to use for their unique space.
SOMETIMES MY THOUGHT PROCESS WORKS IN STRANGE WAYS
For starters, I wanted a shower in this room. But not just any shower: I wanted something spectacular.
When I was talking to Hannah & Wesley, they had mentioned that they would love to have sex in the shower, but because of their height differences (he was six foot eight and she was five foot eight) and the size of their existing shower in their en-suite, and given that neither of them were contortionists, that was just not possible.
In some sex rooms, a shower is not an option because of the size of the room or down to the positioning of the plumbing. But, in this case, the stars aligned. As soon as I walked into the room, I knew I was going to position the shower on the left and it was going to be big.
Six feet by five feet would give ample room for all that sexy play. I didn’t want to create an enclosed shower room; I wanted it to be open which is why I chose glass with metal grids so you could get a view of the room. I also installed grab bars at various heights. They were installed with backing behind them which added strength. A rain shower and multi-function hand shower added options.
I also wanted to put in a fireplace to anchor the space. This would give a more romantic feel and with some cowhide chairs it would be a place to relax and unwind.
Sexy drapes over the windows diffused the light and added whimsy.
I could have zoned this large area, but I wanted it to have the feel of a journey, a feast for the eyes, so that everywhere you looked in this room, there was something sexy and new to explore. Essentially, this was going to be a luxurious living room, except with a shower and some kinky spaces and artwork to give the space a different vibe.
Instead of leaving the ceiling painted, I asked Mike to put in some faux beams which gave the ceiling depth and added a little rustic feel.
When I was talking to Hannah & Wesley, they had mentioned that they would love to have sex in the shower, but because of their height differences (he was six foot eight and she was five foot eight) and the size of their existing shower in their en-suite, and given that neither of them were contortionists, that was just not possible.
In some sex rooms, a shower is not an option because of the size of the room or down to the positioning of the plumbing. But, in this case, the stars aligned. As soon as I walked into the room, I knew I was going to position the shower on the left and it was going to be big.
Six feet by five feet would give ample room for all that sexy play. I didn’t want to create an enclosed shower room; I wanted it to be open which is why I chose glass with metal grids so you could get a view of the room. I also installed grab bars at various heights. They were installed with backing behind them which added strength. A rain shower and multi-function hand shower added options.
I also wanted to put in a fireplace to anchor the space. This would give a more romantic feel and with some cowhide chairs it would be a place to relax and unwind.
Sexy drapes over the windows diffused the light and added whimsy.
I could have zoned this large area, but I wanted it to have the feel of a journey, a feast for the eyes, so that everywhere you looked in this room, there was something sexy and new to explore. Essentially, this was going to be a luxurious living room, except with a shower and some kinky spaces and artwork to give the space a different vibe.
Instead of leaving the ceiling painted, I asked Mike to put in some faux beams which gave the ceiling depth and added a little rustic feel.
WALLPAPER & PAINT
Sometimes you need to push the wallpaper boundaries, so I went with something really playful. A subtle ink sketch of the female form, aptly named “Barely There” was the perfect choice. The walls were painted a soft gray which helped the visual artwork really “pop.”
SEXUAL DISCOVERY
You’ve seen the show, so you know I always travel with a selection of toys in my endless Mary Poppins bag. Presenting toys to clients is a great way to break the ice and determine what they are interested in. However, my bag of toys can only go so far and when I need to push my clients boundaries, I bring them to a kink professional, who will educate and introduce them to some new, different and very exciting options.
When I chatted to Hannah & Wesley, there had been some discussion about handcuffs. Wesley, being a Sheriff’s Deputy, had a fantasy that handcuffing Hannah would be sexually exciting. It was a fantasy that they had both talked about but had not explored. However, as we started to explore this, with the help of Mistress Devi, they discovered that the reality did not match the fantasy. So, no handcuffs for them! During the visit with Mistress Devi, we discovered that Hannah was really aroused by rope bondage. Just the feeling of the rope around her, coupled with the idea that Wesley would be taking his time, teasing her along the way was a real turn on.
When I chatted to Hannah & Wesley, there had been some discussion about handcuffs. Wesley, being a Sheriff’s Deputy, had a fantasy that handcuffing Hannah would be sexually exciting. It was a fantasy that they had both talked about but had not explored. However, as we started to explore this, with the help of Mistress Devi, they discovered that the reality did not match the fantasy. So, no handcuffs for them! During the visit with Mistress Devi, we discovered that Hannah was really aroused by rope bondage. Just the feeling of the rope around her, coupled with the idea that Wesley would be taking his time, teasing her along the way was a real turn on.
VISUAL ARTWORK
A room of this size was calling out for artwork, but not just any artwork, it needed to relate to the room and Hannah & Wesley’s desires and their personal journey.
I mixed in framed images of curvy line drawings of the female form, added photographs of rope work. Among the rope images, I added some twists of bondage rope for them to use. This, of course, became known as the “rope wall.”
There was a moment in the episode when Mike proudly hung the alternative artwork: the rack of dicks . This was purposely placed near the shower for some humor. It is impossible not to look at them and not smile.
I mixed in framed images of curvy line drawings of the female form, added photographs of rope work. Among the rope images, I added some twists of bondage rope for them to use. This, of course, became known as the “rope wall.”
There was a moment in the episode when Mike proudly hung the alternative artwork: the rack of dicks . This was purposely placed near the shower for some humor. It is impossible not to look at them and not smile.
SEX FURNITURE
I’m often asked, why do I bring in sex furniture? The answer is simple: these are sex rooms, created to enhance the most joyous of experiences. And sex furniture is created to facilitate the sexual act. The furniture serves a practical as well as an aesthetic role – and sometimes they are there because they are on the client’s wish list. For instance, I brought in an inversion table per Wesley’s request. It is well known that a table like this helps with back problems using gravity to relieve pressures. However, if you are using a BDSM inversion table, there are some alternative uses! It allows a couple to experience different positions, whether being suspended upside down, or as a tabletop, but it also allows for the use of restraints.
***A word of caution here. Do your research, take advice from a professional! Being tipped upside down takes practice. Take baby steps at a time until you feel comfortable.
***A word of caution here. Do your research, take advice from a professional! Being tipped upside down takes practice. Take baby steps at a time until you feel comfortable.
I also brought in a Tantra Chair because of Hannah & Wesley’s height difference. This type of chair looks like a beautiful, ergonomic chaise, but it also serves a different purpose. This piece of furniture is specifically designed to fit the human body, supporting and cradling, taking pressure off joints allowing for a greater variety of positions. It blends in delightfully with any other home décor and I do find myself using this piece of furniture a lot of the time.
THE SECRET DOOR
Let’s not forget about one of the most talked about items in the room: the door. I had Mike install a Murphy Door. Basically, it’s a hidden entrance. On the outside it can look like a bookcase, a wine rack or a dresser. Unique and unexpected, I chose the bookcase French door.
THE TOYS
This room had adult toys placed discreetly around the space. I did this so Hannah & Wesley could discover the delights hidden on the shelves. Sometimes, with the large selection of sex toys out there, it can be difficult to know which ones to pick. So, I added some couples toys and other items they may not have thought of. The range of sex toys is extraordinary: all shapes, sizes, and colors are available. It is a market which is constantly innovating – couples toys, Bluetooth and app controlled. Remember, a sex toy is not forever. They do wear out. Treat yourself regularly.
Just a few of the toys in the room.
Key tips for designing a room this size.
Think about the areas in the room, what will their functions be?
Make sure the spaces connect. Artwork always helps.
Plan the room out on paper.
Is this a fantasy room? Or simply a sexy, sensual room.
On paper, write down all your thoughts and desires. This will help bring your design together.
Make a wish list of toys you would like.
Make sure the spaces connect. Artwork always helps.
Plan the room out on paper.
Is this a fantasy room? Or simply a sexy, sensual room.
On paper, write down all your thoughts and desires. This will help bring your design together.
Make a wish list of toys you would like.
