A Bold Primary Suite Renovation in This St. Petersburg Home
ST PETERSBURG HOME - LISA GILMORE DESIGN
St. Petersburg Home’s Bedroom and Bathroom Design Reveal
As part of a bold, full-home renovation by Lisa Gilmore Design, this primary suite was designed to stand apart, while still playing beautifully with this St. Petersburg home's overall midcentury modern spirit. Inspired by the polish of a New York hotel suite and infused with fashion-forward flair, the bedroom and bathroom were reimagined as a masculine retreat full of architectural edge, artful layers, and meaningful personal details.
Tailored Tranquility in a St. Petersburg Home: Midcentury Style Meets NYC Hotel Chic
What a difference a vision makes. Take a look at how this St. Petersburg home went from sleepy to statement-making.
ST PETERSBURG HOME MOOD BOARD - LISA GILMORE DESIGN
Before: St Petersburg Home’s Primary Bedroom With All The Right Raw Materials
This dreamy St. Petersburg home bedroom had all the architectural charm you could ask for - vaulted wood ceilings, a wall of windows, and space to stretch. But the vibe? A little too mellow. The furniture felt heavy, the palette leaned dark, and the room lacked that signature sparkle we love to bring to a primary suite. It was begging for a bold refresh to match the sunny, style-forward personality of the home.
After: A Tailored Bedroom Retreat in This St. Petersburg Home
This isn’t your average nap zone. From the graphic wallpaper to the custom ottomans and rug - designed by Lisa and brought to life by local artisans - every inch of this bedroom was made to dazzle.
The teal velvet headboard adds drama without taking itself too seriously, while layers of playful patterns keep your eyes dancing around the room. The gallery wall features pieces that trigger the clients’ memories, including old photos of a grandparent’s trip to New York.
The striking angled windows flood the space with Florida sunshine, making the whole room feel like a chic treehouse for grown-ups. With seating areas for lounging, reading, or just admiring your fabulous taste in this freshly reimagined St. Petersburg home.
Before: Average St Petersburg Home’s Primary Bathroom
The bathroom in this St. Petersburg home was spacious and full of potential, but it felt more like a time capsule than a tranquil escape. With dated tile, bulky cabinetry, and a dim layout, it lacked the personality and polish that the rest of the home was leaning into. While the footprint was generous, the finishes didn’t quite live up to it. This space was clearly ready to swap “blah” for spa.
After: Unapologetically Luxe: A Bathroom That Elevates This St. Petersburg Home
Let’s be honest: this bathroom didn’t come to play - it came to indulge.
The sculptural tub takes center stage against a bold charcoal wall, perfectly framed by a minimalist nude sketch that whispers art gallery meets spa day. Just to the side, a cozy wooden stool stands ready with a good read, a glass of wine, and a candle because... self-care, darling.
The adjacent shower feels like a luxe retreat carved from the earth itself - draped in richly veined marble and grounded by a pebble-stone floor that gives your feet a gentle massage as you rinse off the day.
And those walnut vanities? They’re the dashing co-stars, flanked by graphic wall tile and arched mirrors that say, “Yes, you do look fabulous.”
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a St. Petersburg Home
Have questions before you pack your bags and move to paradise? We’ve got answers - St. Petersburg style.
1. Is it expensive to live in St. Petersburg, FL?
St. Pete living isn’t exactly bargain-bin cheap, but it’s not luxury-label exclusive either. Think of it more like a fabulous boutique find: stylish, sun-drenched, and worth the splurge if you know how to shop smart. Housing is the biggest budget item, especially in neighborhoods near the water or downtown. But Florida’s no-income-tax policy does give your paycheck a bit more wiggle room. If you’re willing to live a little farther from the action (or you’re not picky about having a Gulf-view balcony), you can still score a stylish spot that doesn’t drain your savings account.
2. What salary do you need to live comfortably in St. Petersburg, Florida?
Ah, the magic number - how much do you really need to live your best life in the Sunshine City? If you're imagining morning coffee on the porch, a few dinner dates each month, and enough left over for a Target run and your Spotify Premium, a salary around $60K to $90K should do the trick. A single person might get by with a little less, but if you’ve got expensive taste (or a love for local art, boutique gyms, or beachy cocktails), a bit more cushion is nice. Like most things in life, comfort here is all about balance - sunshine, savings, and just enough space for a spontaneous weekend getaway.
3. Is St. Petersburg, FL a good place to live?
In a word: yes. But let’s unpack it, because St. Pete isn’t just good - it’s glow-up-worthy. With more sunshine than you’ll know what to do with, a thriving arts scene, delicious food, and beaches that feel like postcards, it’s easy to see why people fall in love with this place. You’ve got charming bungalows, vibrant murals, and a calendar packed with festivals and farmers markets. Sure, traffic can get a little cranky and housing prices are climbing like a vine on a pergola, but if you’re looking for creative energy, coastal beauty, and community vibes, St. Pete delivers - sparkle and all.
Whether you're dreaming of a midcentury modern oasis or a hotel-inspired retreat, we’ll help you create a St. Petersburg home that reflects your boldest design goals.
Ready to turn your bedroom and bathroom into a bold, beautiful escape? Whether you live in St. Pete or across the globe, our team would love to bring your vision to life. Fill out our design inquiry form, and we’ll be in touch. For more inspiration and glam-filled ideas, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.
Lisa Gilmore Design is a luxury interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida, known for creating bold, artfully tailored spaces for busy professionals. Recognized as an Architectural Digest Leading Southwest Florida Designer and named a Top 25 Design Firm in Florida by Design + Decor, our work has also been featured in top publications like Florida Design, Aspire Home, and Rue Magazine. We proudly serve homeowners in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Hyde Park, South Tampa, and beyond—bringing one-of-a-kind designs to clients around the globe.
BEFORE + AFTER - The Story of a Modern Bohemian Master Suite Renovation
Today, we want to take you on a little tour of a master suite. This old home features a very large master bedroom and a very small master bathroom – we didn’t want to change the layout of the space, so we opted to make it feel bigger and more connected through the use of materials and design eye trickery!
A little while back, we shared a great transformation of this family room. Such a fun before and after. The after showcases the homeowner’s bohemian modern personality in a very fun and approachable way! Today, we want to take you on a little tour of the master suite, and this was a fun transformation as well, to say the least!
This old home features a very large master bedroom and a very small master bathroom – we didn’t want to change the layout of the space, so we opted to make it feel bigger and more connected through the use of materials and design eye trickery!
Notice in the before photo below, how the room feels overly large, a bit cold and everything feels too small for the space?
To help combat that, we chose a great pattern wallpaper to draw your eye to that area of the space, custom drapery and a bed that fits a better scale to the room made this room feel grand and appropriate, without weird blank spaces or overbearing furniture.
Insider Designer Trick:
Do you have a window smack dab in the perfect spot for your bed? However, don’t know how to address it?
Opt for a lower bed headboard (however, not too low) we don’t want it to be an overwhelming bed, like we are trying to hide the window. Instead, make the headboard feel appropriate scale with the window, then dress the windows with drapery to connect it all together.
The master bathroom was once a very retro old Florida look – honestly, the quaintness was super charming and part of me was sad to remove it!
However, in order to update the home, we couldn’t leave behind this old Florida pink gem.
To keep the bathroom updated, appropriate in size scale, and also keep some charming character for the older home, we selected a variety of finishes that help marry all the needs together.
For this renovation, the client decided it was okay to remove the tub. It honestly wasn’t doing much for the space and because it was so small, it was really acting against our goals to make the room feel a bit bigger, without adding more inches to the space.
We did a great walk-in shower with beautiful tile selections, the main floor tile continued into the shower with a great subtle pattern that added to the old house’s flair and charm.
One of my favorite things to add to a shower is an oversized shower niche, I often am not a fan of the smaller ones, and when you design them just right they can be a beautiful visual focal point to the shower and not a visual annoyance!
You can see, that this bathroom took on a beautiful new life, while the older pink tile was charming and sweet, now it’s got a level of luxury and feels larger without losing the character of an old home.
Are you feeling inspired about how you can update your space without changing the footprint? Comment below with your favorite parts or questions about this great before and after!
DESIGN PROJECT:: TIMELESS MONOCHROMATIC PHOTO TOUR, PART II
A few weeks ago, I shared part one of this three part story here, and I know some of you have been itching to see more since I shared, (and I have been so excited to share as well!) So finally, here is part two!
When I left you last, we ended with the dining room and staircase, so today we are going to check out the upstairs. (don't forget to look at the before photos previously posted, too!)
The homeowners have a love for Maine, so we decided to do a coastal feel with a touch of Maine to greet their guests in the guest bedroom. We combined blue and navy patterns and a simple stripe rug. The dresser has a very stately feel to it with it's warm wood tone.
I am truly kind of in love with the end table, it's pinstripe canvas finished with a camel leather detail on the edge. So handsome! We topped the end table with a heirloom marble lamp passed down through family, together I think they make a lovely pair.
In addition to their guest room, they also have a pretty sweet music room, a collection of records, vintage concert posters and beyond. While, we didn't provide every detail of design here, we did have a hand in a few finishing touches, colors, and art placement. I couldn't help but share this really fun room what a great place to unwind!
Finally, the master bedroom, such a simply restful place. Every time I see it, I just breathe a deep breath and feel instantly relaxed. A combination of shades of gray, fine details on the textiles that look like mens suiting and beautiful German Silk drapery. I could go on and on!
In the master bathroom we did a bit of a facelift, with a new custom vanity, mirror, sconces and plumbing fixtures. What a difference they made!
Well, that's it for part two of our timeless monochromatic photo tour, next we will hit part three... it's the not so monochromatic space in this residence!
All photos by Native House Photography
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