Room makeover: A guest suite

After a tree fell on the side of their Centerport home, Christine and Charles Gentile decided to make over their damaged third floor into a guest suite. Previously, it had been the bedrooms of their two sons, now both adults.

"A large tree came crashing into our house," Christine says of the incident in 2010. As part of the reconstruction, they removed the ceiling, allowing a view of the inside of the home's turret.

The Gentiles, who own Ashbourne Designs in Huntington, say they wanted to give the area a sense of elegance and luxury.

"I wanted the seaside, but in a more subtle, sophisticated way," says Christine Gentile. "I wanted to introduce natural elements and a gray that had blue in it."

She says the bed and bedding are places to splurge in a guest room.

"In a guest room, there's not a need for a big dresser or other storage, so save that money and put it into the bed and bedding," Gentile advises. "There also are other things that are more useful, like a bed tray or a desk."

Here's how Gentile created a haven for guests.

THROW, $195

Manufactured by Merben International, available at Ashbourne Designs retail store in Huntington

ACCENT PILLOWS, $640

(for six)

Fabric ($250) from Kravet Fabrics in Bethpage; fabrication ($390) by Ashbourne Designs workroom

ARM CHAIR, $1,250

This is an existing chair that Gentile had reupholstered. Faux linen fabric ($450) from KravetSmart, a durable-fabrics division of Kravet Fabrics; fabrication ($800) by Ashbourne Designs workroom

ROUND TABLE, $495

From Crate & Barrel, Manhasset

LAMP, $600

From Decorative Crafts, a trade-only source

BED, $1,895.

From the owners' store

BEDDING, $1,038

Includes queen Lyall Slate sheets ($245) from Pine Cone Hill; hardwood and ivory coverlet ($245) from Pine Cone Hill; accent pillows ($285, for 10), from Pine Cone Hill; matching euro shams ($196, for two), all available through the owners' store; shell and rope trim ($67), from Samuel and Sons, a designer-only source

RUG, $344

From Dash and Albert, purchased through their store

THROW, $215

From Brahms Mount Blankets, purchased through their store

BONE BED TRAY, $195

Purchased through their store

CEILING FAN,

existing

PAINT, $250 (4 gallons)

The color is Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. Gentile says it is a "classic shade of gray that creates a unifying look that calms and restores." Gentile says gray is a sophisticated color that can update the look of a room. "When most people think of gray, they think of the gray of years ago that was blah and flat." Supplied and applied by their store

HORIZON BLINDS, $1,500

(for five)

Called top down, bottom up, these blinds allow maximum light without sacrificing privacy. Purchased through their store

REGINA ANDREWS LAMP,

$295

Purchased through their store

ANTIQUE DESK, existing

Originally from England, this piece ties together the subtle beach theme of the room.

STEEL CHAIR, $195

From Crate & Barrel

ACCESSORIES, $1,000

Includes candles, shells, boxes, picture frames, books, all purchased through their store

CUSTOM WINDOW SEAT CUSHIONS, $1,100

Fabric ($500) from Kravet; fabrication ($600) by Ashbourne Designs workroom

WHITE LINEN OTTOMANS, $578 (for two)

From ballarddesigns.com

MIRROR, existing

This was an antique Christine Gentile had had for many years. She painted it to give it a fresh, updated look.

Not shown

SIDE TABLE, existing

SURFBOARD, existing