Designer Jaimee Rose turns a lackluster space into a moody, alluring speakeasy.

Jaimee Rose had the opportunity to make a space right. “In my eyes, this room was a missed opportunity,” she says. “You see it as soon as you walk in the front door. It was painted a very light color and there were mirrors on the wall. The ceilings are low; light is minimal. We needed to give it some drama. 

“The homeowners love to entertain, and they wanted a speakeasy, like you would find in a boutique hotel,” Rose continues. “This is how we made it relevant to their lives, made it sexy, a place you want to spend time in and share with guest.”

On this page, Rose shares her design process and advice. 

THE COLOR 

 “When you have a low ceiling and a lack of natural light, paint the room dark, because it’s going to be dark anyway. Make the darkness intentional, and it will feel correct. 

This is textbook color drenching. Dark, shiny things show imperfections easily. If you’re unsure of the quality of your walls and the trueness of your carpentry, use a low-sheen paint. And don’t forget to paint the HVAC vents, can light trim, outlets—everything.”

THE CABINETRY 

 “We liked the glass fronts of these metal cabinets. We pushed three of them together, and the rhythm of that gives the grace of built-in units. They have internally lit shelves, and there is room for tall bottle storage, which is important when you’re doing a bar.

Bars tend to get cluttered, and even though glass is clear, it provides a visual barrier, resulting in a look that presents as well-styled and organized.”

THE BAR

 “We added to the length of the bar with an end table and ice bucket, giving the unit more presence in the space. I love the black lacquer front, which bounces some reflected light into the room.

When shopping for a bar, think about what it can hold, because that’s important. Height and finishes should also be considered. Do you expect people to sit, or grab a drink and move elsewhere?” 

THE CHAIRS

 “Because this room is small, we needed chairs that were skinny but comfortable. The fur is shearling, which is cozy and inviting and is one of the most stain-repellent fabrics we can put on furniture. Pets won’t harm it; you can spill wine on it. Fur does very well for heavy-use areas.”

THE ARTWORK

 “This room is nothing without Elvis. We plugged him in, and it was like someone turned on the lights and the music—instant vibe. Art has the power to do that to any room. The minute that art goes on your walls, your house feels like a home. It is your greatest flex, one of the most important things you can do. Without this piece, the room is pretty, but he brings the personality.”

THE SOFAS

 “Twin 7-foot-long sofas in lichen-colored velvet give ample, comfy seating. Velvet instantly adds sexiness. It wants to be touched. It makes everything feel a little bit softer and more glamorous. Choose wisely: Double-rub performance velvets stand up to heavy use, and spills aren’t a problem. Brush your fingers against your fabric sample. If it crushes, that’s not a good velvet for you.”

THE MANTEL

“Because the limestone fireplace is tall and the ceiling is low, we had an odd space to work with on top of the mantel. Layering was the answer. A mirror and a piece of art are always a good pairing, then add something sculptural, such as candlesticks. The mirror also pulls in reflected light, which the room needed.”

THE COFFEE TABLES

“We needed places for people to set drinks down in a tight room. Rather than trying to find a very long, skinny piece, we offset two identical tables, placing a gap between them. This trick gave us the ability to morph the coffee table into the size we wanted.” 

DECONSTRUCTING THE ROOM (Sources)

• Interior designer: Jaimee Rose, Jaimee Rose Interiors, Phoenix, jaimeerose.com
• Artwork and bar: jaimeerose.com
• Sofas and cabinets: fourhands.com
• Coffee tables: noirfurniturela.com with bespoke finish by jaimeerose.com
• Hand lamp: anthropologie.com
• Pillows: libecohomestores.com