At the start of this project, the area for this space was completely unfinished with concrete floors, no walls, and unfinished ceilings. My clients had explored some possible layout options and had identified an inspirational image of a curved bar featuring glass block and wood.
After getting to know my clients better, it quickly became apparent that they were excited by my suggestion that we create a modern, metropolitan, lounge-like feel for the space -- similar to what you might find in a swank urban lounge of a boutique hotel. To achieve this look, I proposed a very warm, earthy color palette of oranges, rusts, browns, and creams paired with dark chocolate furniture and a rich, dark wood Ipe floor.
The bar itself is unique in its curved shape, but also its use of a stunning, iridescent glass tile that picks up the oranges, rusts, and browns in the room. A dark brown quartz countertop, modern polished stainless steel fixtures, clean-lined yet comfortable bar stools, and a rust colored glass tile bar backsplash complete this area.
In the bar seating area, I proposed the use of rust colored floor to ceiling drapes along the entire wall—functioning as a backdrop for the cream colored lounge-like seating and maple pendant lamps that hang above small Parsons-style side tables. The adjacent wall features a candle filled, custom-designed cherry wood wall treatment that adds visual interest to the space.
In the media area, my clients wanted a TV and built-in speakers on one wall. Because the husband wanted the TV to be large enough for sports and movies, but the wife wanted the TV to not be obtrusive, I suggested that we minimize the TV’s visual impact by housing it in a dark wood, custom built-in cabinet that would extend across the entire wall. This solution accommodates the large TV size and multiple speakers by drawing your eye to the built-in’s open shelves which feature beautiful vases and other eye-catching accessories. Adjacent to the TV, I proposed a 12 by 24 cream colored, very modern porcelain tile as a full wall surround for the ribbon-style, vent-free fireplace that my clients selected. Seating in this area include two very comfortable yet modern style sofas and a soft, velvet-like recliner next to the fireplace. A thick pile cream shag rug anchors the space and provides a soft feel underfoot.
The adjacent power room features a wall of unique Asian-inspired 12x24 tiles. The wall serves as a visual backdrop for an eye-catching stainless steel vessel sink and modern faucet, a dark wood shadowbox-style mirror flanked on either side by two modern wall sconces, and a quartz countertop over a custom-designed dark wood vanity.
My client, who works full time in IT, was responsible for almost all of the custom cabinetry and a large portion of the overall construction in the space. His craftsmanship and attention to construction detail is seen in the cherry wood wall feature, the custom curved bar, the lighting installation, and the creation of the built-in cabinetry around the TV.
As a result of my work with this husband and wife team, the final outcome is a cozy, sophisticated, lounge-like space that works well for entertaining and that functions as a modern, stylish refuge where my clients can enjoy relaxing drinks at home or watch a movie. Who needs to go out when you have a space in your home as nice as this?
