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THIS GARAGE RUNS ON BOURBON 

Ben’s room, formerly a garage, had become a catchall—an awkward space with a window blocked by a TV, oversized chairs floating without purpose, and a mix of furniture that never quite connected. It felt dismal, unresolved. But where others saw limitations, I saw possibility. By reimagining the layout and honoring the room’s quirks, we transformed it into an inviting retreat—layered, intentional, and deeply comfortable. Now, it’s a space that draws you in, where conversations unfold easily, and where Ben and his family can truly gather, relax, and linger together. As a designer, this was supremely satisfying!

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MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

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THE ART OF THE BOURBON LOUNGE 

The Art of the Bourbon Lounge begins with vision made visible. At the outset of each project, I translate my ideas into a 3D CAD rendering, allowing my clients to clearly see the structure, flow, and potential of their space. This step is essential to how I work—it helps me refine layout, proportion, and mood with intention before a single material is selected. From there, I develop richly layered storyboards, thoughtfully curating fabrics, cabinetry, finishes, flooring, and paint colors. I consider each detail not in isolation, but as part of a cohesive, immersive experience. The result is a process that feels both creative and precise—where my vision is communicated with clarity and brought to life with confidence.

BEFORE & AFTER

I had seen this room through multiple homeowners. In one instance the room was a baby's room, in another it was a den filled with overstuffed furniture which was in all honesty quite a bit too large for the space. In its original life at around 1920, it was a dirty garage. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this space to make it somewhere unique and special. I think we accomplished both.    

PROGRESS IMAGES 

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Powder room view
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FINISHING TOUCHES

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For me, the nuance of a truly inviting bourbon lounge lives in the details I choose with intention. I designed a custom brass-and-glass shelf, suspended from the ceiling and precisely centered between flanking glass-front cabinets, to serve as both focal point and functional art. I carry the cabinetry all the way from ceiling to countertop to evoke a sense of height, polish, and quiet luxury. From there, I layer in texture—selecting fur throws, feathered accents, and rich, tactile finishes that add warmth while introducing a subtle, masculine edge. Every decision is deliberate, each element working together to create an atmosphere that feels intimate yet refined—an environment I’ve carefully composed to invite you in, encourage connection, and make you want to linger a little longer.

BRASS &, WELL , FLUFF 

There’s so much to be said for texture—it’s one of the most powerful tools I use to bring depth and character to a space. In this bourbon lounge, I leaned into more masculine expressions, selecting a Finnish coon pelt, a faux fur accent pillow, and artwork featuring peacock feathers. I balance these softer, tactile elements with refined finishes like glass-front cabinetry and reflective brass hardware that catch the light beautifully. Each layer is considered, each contrast purposeful. For me, this is where a room begins to feel complete—when texture not only adds interest, but quietly communicates elegance, richness and relaxation.

TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE

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I always begin a project with inspiration images—they help me define the feeling before anything else. In this image, you can see the mood I was pursuing: layered lighting, warmth, and a sense of quiet sophistication that makes a room feel somewhere you truly want to be. I was drawn to the cozy, “climb-in-able” furniture and the richness of the warm-toned walls. This was one of the key images I shared with Ben to clearly express the direction I envisioned for the redesign.

DESIGNER TIP

THATS A WRAP

Matching tile, cabinet colors and flooring with a remnant granite piece isn't always an easy thing to do. Most often, I like counters to bridge the colors and textures of the whole room. For this renovation, I was able to find some really excellent remnant pieces for the master, powder room and second floor bath. 

A close up of the glass cabinetry with lighting inside

“Working together was not only incredibly rewarding, but genuinely fun from start to finish. What amazed me most wasn’t just how much the space changed—it’s how completely it transformed into a room we actually use and enjoy every day. It’s by far my favorite room in the house. The design feels so thoughtfully put together, yet completely unique. One of my favorite things is bringing friends in for the first time—they turn the corner, see the space, and are absolutely blown away.”

~ Dr. Ben B. (Homeowner)

AND A FEW WORDS FROM BEN ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE...

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