Room of the Week: Drama and Jewel Tones in a UK Bar & Media Room
Bold patterns, rich tones and deluxe textures combine in a unique entertaining space for a vibrant couple in London, UK
With a strong vision for a unique home bar and media space, the owners of this new-build home sought the expert advice of interior designer Debbie Blott of Decorbuddi to channel their ideas. “The couple had a very decisive brief to create a sumptuous, yet distinctly quirky, grown-up space for entertaining guests, while also being able to cosy up in front of the TV with their young children,” she says. “On their wish list was a fridge, a space for hosting their wine club, and a nook for the husband’s craft beers.”
The owners got in touch with Decorbuddi through Houzz after spotting the company’s profile and reading the glowing testimonials. “Our Houzz profile, showcasing our previous work and client reviews, is very important for that first point of contact, as it gives potential clients the confidence that we’ll do a good job, even before we’ve had a phone chat,” says Blott, who successfully delivered the dramatic and playful space the couple had dreamed of.
The owners got in touch with Decorbuddi through Houzz after spotting the company’s profile and reading the glowing testimonials. “Our Houzz profile, showcasing our previous work and client reviews, is very important for that first point of contact, as it gives potential clients the confidence that we’ll do a good job, even before we’ve had a phone chat,” says Blott, who successfully delivered the dramatic and playful space the couple had dreamed of.
Here’s the L-shaped living room before Blott got to work. “We talked about creating two distinct zones, one for the media area and one for a bar,” says Blott.
Tempted to revamp your home? Find a local interior designer on Houzz
Tempted to revamp your home? Find a local interior designer on Houzz
The bar was positioned next to the French doors (where the TV was in the previous photo), with a bold floral wallpaper defining the zone and visually separating it from the seating area.
Bespoke cabinetry was built in a sociable U-shaped layout, creating space for two stools that can be turned to look out across the balcony.
Bespoke cabinetry was built in a sociable U-shaped layout, creating space for two stools that can be turned to look out across the balcony.
“To elevate the luxe factor, we wanted to create the feeling of a beautiful bar in a boutique hotel,” says Blott. As a result, every detail was considered to ensure a rich mix of textures, including sumptuous velvet curtains, brass shelving brackets, a marble-effect benchtop and illuminated shelves.
“Throughout the process, we always had in mind an image of our clients hosting their wine club, entertaining friends and enjoying every second of their time in this room,” says Blott.
“Throughout the process, we always had in mind an image of our clients hosting their wine club, entertaining friends and enjoying every second of their time in this room,” says Blott.
The team paid particular attention to the lighting. “In any space, lighting is always important for creating atmosphere,” says Blott. “In this room, we wanted lights that could be turned up or down depending on the mood and occasion.
“The picture light in the media room [see next photo] creates a wonderful focal point, and the glow from the LED strips under the bar shelves really bounces off the glassware and makes the whole space sparkle,” she says.
“The picture light in the media room [see next photo] creates a wonderful focal point, and the glow from the LED strips under the bar shelves really bounces off the glassware and makes the whole space sparkle,” she says.
It was essential that the whole space was about flexible entertaining, which meant plenty of separate seating spots. For example, the sofa is ideal for watching TV, but it’s been teamed with a comfy armchair and low stools that can easily be moved around to give the room flexibility for when friends and family are visiting.
Wall panelling was chosen to add subtle detailing in the sitting area, while also bringing focus to the colourful artwork.
“The panelling injects instant luxury and elegance into the space and successfully draws together so many different elements, such as the detailing in the bar area and the design of the media unit,” says Blott.
Browse more great living areas with blue walls
“The panelling injects instant luxury and elegance into the space and successfully draws together so many different elements, such as the detailing in the bar area and the design of the media unit,” says Blott.
Browse more great living areas with blue walls
To further define the different zones, Blott combined two types of flooring. “We retained the existing carpet in the sitting area to create a cosy feel, perfect for the evenings when the family snuggle up to watch TV or listen to music,” she says. “We then added herringbone wood flooring in the bar area for a practical touch.”
The soft grey tones in the wood floor are picked up in the opulent rug in the media area.
The soft grey tones in the wood floor are picked up in the opulent rug in the media area.
Accessories in vivid accents pepper the room to match the couple’s vibrant personalities.
“We’re so pleased with how it all came together,” says Blott. “The drama of the wallpaper, the classic quality of the media unit, the sumptuous velvet curtains, the gold metallic detailing and the comfortable armchair – it all works so well with the couple’s fun and lively characters and lifestyle. But, of course, most of all we love how much our clients enjoy it.”
Your turn
What do you like best about Debbie’s design? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want another dose of great design? Here’s another great Room of the Week: A Brilliant Attic Conversion for a Pre-Teen
“We’re so pleased with how it all came together,” says Blott. “The drama of the wallpaper, the classic quality of the media unit, the sumptuous velvet curtains, the gold metallic detailing and the comfortable armchair – it all works so well with the couple’s fun and lively characters and lifestyle. But, of course, most of all we love how much our clients enjoy it.”
Your turn
What do you like best about Debbie’s design? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want another dose of great design? Here’s another great Room of the Week: A Brilliant Attic Conversion for a Pre-Teen
Who lives here: A sociable couple and their two young children
Location: London, UK
Property: A four-bedroom, semi-detached, newly built house
Room dimensions: 18 square metres
Designer: Debbie Blott of Decorbuddi
“This isn’t the only reception room in the property,” says Blott. “Downstairs, there’s an open-plan kitchen and family room, so the couple, who are very sociable, had the idea of turning the L-shaped living room on the first floor into a playful bar and media space. We wanted to bring their idea to life in a way that would suit their personalities.”
The dark blue velvet sofa, TV and colourful artwork (out of shot) were already in place, and these pieces directed the rich colour palette, in particular the walls and cabinetry painted in Royal Navy from Little Greene. “We were working to a tight budget, so part of the initial discussions were about what they needed to keep and what could be changed,” says Blott.