Theres something about new parenthood that makes you rethink your living space. For one Hamptons couple with a newborn, that meant calling in local firm STUDIO XIAO to transform their three-story Sag Harbor townhome into something warmer, more nurturing.
Focusing on the top-floor master suite, STUDIO XIAO wrapped the bedroom and bath in rich browns and amber-toned woods that manage to feel both elevated and wonderfully liveable, like a boutique hotel youd actually want to call home.
The bedrooms showstopper is a floor-to-ceiling walnut bookshelf that follows the rooms quirky trapezoidal roofline. Instead of fighting the awkward angles, the firm leaned into them, creating a built-in that feels architecturally intentional. Rounded corners soften the vertical drama, while integrated LED strips add subtle glamour. A custom ladder with railings makes the upper shelves accessible, and a pull-out desk proves this isnt just eye candy, it works hard for a busy family.
Not everything started from scratch. The couple wanted to keep their wood canopy bed, so STUDIO XIAO simply restained it to match the new bleached walnut palette and added a custom upholstered headboard.
Throughout the space, half-round slatted wood details add texture to millwork and bedside tables, creating surfaces that catch light beautifully. But the real wow moment is the bathroom, where STUDIO XIAO went full zen-spa using IPE wood, typically reserved for outdoor decks, on nearly every surface. The shower, tub, floors, vanity, and walls all feature this durable wood, chosen specifically because it thrives in wet conditions.
A long bench flows seamlessly from shower to bath area, while the vanity niche and picture window get framed in matching IPE, creating little moments of architectural poetry within the larger wooden embrace.
Layered lighting throughout, sconces, LED strips, table lamps, keeps all this wood from feeling heavy. Instead, the space glows with a gentle, lived-in warmth thats perfect for midnight feedings and stolen moments of peace.
