Speakeasy Inspired Wet Bar

Early on I knew that this project was going to be fun. The couple I met with was enthusiastic and open to my ideas at our first meeting. Their style was tasteful but interesting. They knew what they wanted but always heard me out. It was a perfect flow of communication between client and interior designer.

They brought me on during the earliest stages of the design and asked me for my thoughts on their progress, ideas and color palettes so far. I saw that they had amazing ideas that just needed fine tuning. We created a design package that gave them their own personal style flexibility but also had rigid tools to help them lay the perfect ground work to their home remodel.

The kitchen and remodeling companies they were working with I was familiar with from early on. I knew they were not only in good hands but in creative hands. The kitchen was supplied by Laslo Custom Kitchens in Easton, PA. I use them for any home in the Lehigh Valley where I am trying to produce not only high craftsmanship pieces but unique pieces. They are always up for creative challenges and this design was going to be one of them...

The entire first floor was being remodeled. Some of the issues that they had were that the space was not utilized properly for entertainment, the spaces in some areas were not used at all, pieces were not purposeful in the space and a general lack of flow. In essence, the house had great "bones" but was missing real life. It was not embodying the style of my clients or showing any of their personality. That needed for change.

They needed:

New flooring recommendations

New paint colors throughout the entire first floor

New wall treatment suggestions

Determining whether or not to redo the stair

New suggested layouts in each room for cabinetry and furniture

New lighting arrangements for LED strip and

Recessed as well as pendants etc.

New material selections for each room

I even offered some other suggestions as we went for what would be the best bang for their buck, etc.

The before

As with all of my clients I like to start the design process with an initial design meeting where we discuss style, issues with the space and timelines for projected start dates. From there I develop mood boards for each room...

Being that this room was directly off of the entryway, the feeling we wanted was cozy, moody and inviting.

The bar area elevations (drawings) started like this:

The space was honestly... lackluster. Was it a bar? Yes. Was it crafted proportionately? Yes. But did it have a wow factor? NOPE. These clients had personality and style. They deserved a space that had just that. So instead, we drew up this:

Now this started to show off some of their personality. The metal inlay in the cabinetry was an upgrade and not a typical selection, but my clients saw the potential and knew it felt right. They trusted the process and let me and the kitchen designer meet together to discuss options in door style, color and inlay pattern (these metal sheets come in various finishes, pattern and treatments). From there the magic started to really unveil itself.

Working with the designer and clients we added the cabinetry with metal inlay and then to further create the "furniture style" piece envisioned we added bookshelves on either side.

The result was nothing short of a masterpiece.

Lets talk about the details...

Hardware

For the Hardware on the majority of the piece we used the Mercer Pull by Top Knobs in the color Honey Bronze. It was a spectacular piece and needed the added jewelry. The added plus was that this pull actually complimented the grated look of our metal inlay.

The the upper doors I wanted those to be set apart, so we opted to latch just those doors using a latch through Top Knobs in the matching color.

The Backsplash

The backsplash was purchased at Daltile to the Trade. The Line Coastal Effects by Marazzi. This particular color is CE20 pearl picket with glass. The original idea of simple antiqued glass was thrown out the window when my clients saw this sheet mosaic. Not only was it more cost effective, but it also had so much more glam.

The Countertop

The countertop was something we saw in showroom and fell in love with. The color is Portrush by Cambria.

The Door Style

With all the added glam and gold and pattern I opted for a more simplistic door style. There was no need to bust the eye with anything too elaborate that might take away from the accents we had Incorporated.

It's everything we envisioned and more.

Rich

Moody

Cozy

Inviting

The list goes on

There is so much more to show you of this home but for now here is the speakeasy inspired bar. I hope you all enjoy looking at it as much as we enjoyed designing it. Until next time...

-- The Team at Sereine