Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: Remodel Masterclass: Suz's Primary Bedroom
Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Bennett (A), Suzanne Hall (B), Corey (C)

Episode Overview

This episode of Dear Alice dives deep into a highly personal project—the remodel of co-host Suzanne "Suz" Hall's primary bedroom. Using her own space as a case study, Suz and co-host Jessica Bennett explore the creative process, decision-making, and design principles behind a dramatic, color-rich transformation. Listeners are treated to a masterclass in how small-scale renovations, thoughtful color selection, and layered lighting can elevate not only a room but the daily lives lived within it.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Spark: Why Remodel Now?

• Suz’s Need for Change:
  • Moving into a 1971 ranch home, Suz initially made quick changes (carpet, paint) to erase the “old owner” feel.
  • Her bedroom was “fine,” painted neutral, but she “felt nothing.” The kids’ rooms felt more joyful and alive.
  • Quote: “I like being in their rooms better than my own… I went neutral and I don’t feel anything.” (00:33)
• Catalyst:
  • The arrival of the House Lights ‘Caviar’ flush mount light fixture inspired her to act.
  • “For my internal soul, I needed it to be against something dark, and I wanted to do this forever.” (03:31)

2. Color Story & Paint Selection

• Color Astrology & Preferences:
  • Suz gravitates toward “tandoori spice” hues—rich, deep, cinnamon-y, warm tones.
  • Ordered numerous paint samples to find the right deep shade for the walls, considering how colors interacted with planned draperies.
  • Settled on Benjamin Moore’s Hidden Valley (1134) for the walls, complemented by Potter’s Clay (1221) high gloss on the ceiling.
  • Quote: “It feels like abuelita hot chocolate mixed with a cinnamon stick.” (06:17)
• Drapery Coordination:
  • Selected a peachy-coral synthetic silk for window treatments—critical in choosing the final wall paint.
  • Emphasis on “color blocking” and harmonious, layered color families.
  • Design Tip: Block out drapery width at 3-5 times window width for fullness, even with small windows.
• Ceiling Paint Trend:
  • No more default white ceilings—designers are “treating ceiling as one”; either lighter shades of the wall or an intentionally distinct color.
  • Quote (Jessica): “Nobody’s leaving their ceilings white anymore… this is worth calling out.” (10:12)

3. Glossy Finishes & Light Reflection

• High Gloss Ceiling:
  • Opted for lacquered, high-gloss finish on ceiling, after smoothing out old textured surface.
  • This finish dramatically increases the sense of space and bounces light for an “underwater” effect.
  • Quote: “It just feels like you’re underwater… It made the space feel so much bigger.” (11:58, 23:35)
• Layered Lighting:
  • Layered approach: Caviar ceiling fixture, Lulu pink-gloss sconces, table lamps—all thoughtfully positioned.
  • Strategic placement and color of lamps, sconces, and ceiling fixture create dimensional, ever-changing mood throughout the day and night.
  • Quote: “Having one off certain times a day and then turning [others] on and dimming… it’s magic!” (27:44)

4. Space Planning & Furniture

• Before & After:
  • Initially, the bed was on the wrong wall, no nightstands, and a lack of intentional space planning.
  • Bed now centered in front of the window, flanked by full-width, stationary silk drapery panels.
  • Rug omitted due to small room size and new/barely used carpet.
• Furniture Upgrades:
  • Swapped dark/old dresser for the “cloud finish” Millie from their collection.
  • Swapped green bed for the “Tara” bed, matching the window treatments in tone.
  • Chose generously-sized Brooklyn nightstands for much-needed storage—bigger than usual for a Queen bed.
  • Quote (Suz): “You have to create your storage… those case goods do a lot of heavy lifting for us.” (31:20)
• Nightstand Joys:
  • Brooklyn nightstand’s lined top tray became a favorite: “It’s like the world’s biggest jewelry box… so much fun, not just to style but to live with.” (32:39)

5. Lighting Layer Details

• Caviar Flush Mount:
  • Amber glass, 18” wide, projects 8-10” into the room. Reflects light dramatically on high-gloss ceiling.
• Lulu Sconces:
  • Pink gloss, flanking new art—melts into Potter’s Clay and Hidden Valley palette, tying in with other fixtures.
  • Quote (Suz): “They’re designed individually, not necessarily all together… but it’s so dope to see them all lined up like soldiers and sing so beautifully together.” (20:23)
• Francis Crystal Table Lamps:
  • Placed against silk drapes and reflecting in glossy finish—“magic in concert with the high gloss.” (24:26)
• Other Lighting Upgrades:
  • Alice flush mounts and sconces in hallway, boys’ rooms, and bathrooms, allowing for theme and shape repetition throughout the home.

6. How Design Changes Lives

• Personal Impact:
  • New palette/finishes elevated Suz’s experience: “I feel like it’s elevated the way I want to live in other facets of my life. You want to live up to the space you’re surrounded by.” (26:01)
  • Husband Tom’s reaction: “I’ve never felt a more inviting space, a more restful space where I really just felt the room took care of me.” (26:43)
  • Jessica: “Interior design is so powerful. It changes the way you feel about yourself and how you show up in the world.” (26:26)
• Corey’s Realization:
  • Inspired to tackle his own bedroom: “To wake up and feel inspired like that… you want to step out of bed ready for the day.” (28:48)

7. Remodel Tips & Tricks

• Sampling Paint:
  • Order multiple samples, paint boards, move them around to see true interactions and lighting at different times.
• Ceiling Finishes:
  • To achieve a lacquered look, use high gloss, but on a perfectly smooth (level 5) ceiling for best effect.
• Drapery:
  • Full, stationary panels to the ceiling create height & fullness—even on small windows.
• Carpet Saving:
  • Old carpet can be re-stretched and cleaned for a near-new look, saving major costs. (35:50)
• Lighting:
  • Replace cans/flats with decorative flush mounts for instant charm and to introduce “visual interest” overhead.
• Space Planning:
  • Focus on function and daily use—maximize storage, rethink bed placement, and plan for day-to-day joy (e.g., nightstand trays, layered lighting).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why she remodeled:
  • “I felt nothing in my room. It was neutral. I also know… with crystal and transparencies, you feel it more when it's against a color.” —Suz (03:31)
• Color transformation:
  • “It just feels like Abuelita hot chocolate mixed with a cinnamon stick.” —Suz (06:17)
• Glossy ceilings:
  • “Magic trick. When you have a glossy paint, light reflects differently… You see two of everything. It just feels like you’re underwater.” —Suz (15:37)
• Drapery and fullness:
  • “We goo and God and gush over rooms with majority panels… That’s what I preach: go three to five times the window width to get something really full.” —Suz (07:33)
• Ceilings not being white:
  • “Nobody’s leaving their ceilings white anymore.” —Jessica (10:12)
• On living up to the remodel:
  • “You want to live up to the space that you’re surrounded by.” —Suz (26:01)
• Tom’s reaction:
  • “I’ve never felt a more inviting space, a more restful space where I really just felt the room took care of me.” —Tom, as recounted by Suz (26:43)
• Joy of good design:
  • “Design makes you feel something. Good design makes you feel something.” —Jessica & Suz (27:45-27:48)
• Nightstand organization:
  • “It's like the world's biggest jewelry box… I'm just like, this is so much fun to not only style but to live like that.” —Suz (32:39)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:19-01:19: Suz’s dissatisfaction with her neutral bedroom; desire for change
• 03:29-04:41: The caviar light fixture sparks the remodel vision
• 05:39-09:03: Color exploration; “tandoori spice”; paint and fabric selection
• 09:03-12:28: Ceiling color choices, gloss technique, rationale for going bold
• 14:07-16:57: Space planning evolution; before and after descriptions
• 19:07-21:29: Layered lighting; adding sconces and their impact
• 22:46-24:40: Photo shoot reactions; how finishes, furniture & drapery come together
• 26:01-27:45: Emotional impact of the remodel; design elevating everyday life
• 30:41-34:28: Nightstand details; storage decisions; favorite discoveries
• 35:50-37:57: Carpet savings tip; clean/re-stretching in lieu of replacement
• 38:05-41:06: Honorable mentions—other lighting swaps in the hall & boys’ rooms

Takeaway Lessons

• Personalize your primary space. Don’t neglect the bedroom; make it as inspiring as public areas.
• Color is transformative. Don't fear bold, warm, or dark shades—especially paired with dynamic lighting.
• Ceiling is a canvas. Glossy, colored ceilings feel more voluminous and are trending.
• Layer your lighting. Combine pendants, sconces, and lamps at various levels for mood and function.
• Sample and visualize. Test colors and arrangements in real conditions, with all key textures and angles.
• Reuse and refresh. Sometimes a clean or stretch is as effective as replacing flooring.
• Design shapes behavior and mood. Investing thoughtfully in your personal spaces pays dividends in daily quality of life.

Final Thoughts

Suz’s master bedroom remodel exemplifies how intentional design decisions—rooted in personal taste and everyday needs—can turn a “fine” room into a transformative, soulful space. Through color, finish, lighting, and space planning, she demonstrates a blueprint for anyone looking to elevate their home and the way they feel within it.

For Images & Sources

See @alicelaneinteriors and @alicelanehome on Instagram for photos, before/after visuals, and product info.

Contact:
Questions and suggestions: DearAlice@alisonlanehome.com

Share this episode with anyone considering a home refresh—and start living up to your dream space.