A Grateful Dead-Inspired Music Lounge Breathes Life into This Arcadia Home
Interior designer Meredith Smyth creates a Zen den, giving clients a funky space to call their own.
By John Roark | Photography by Talisa Ordaz, Muse Haus Creative
Our house doesn’t feel like us,” interior designer Meredith Smyth recalls her clients saying. While their Arcadia home was bright, beautiful and universally appealing, it lacked what they sought most: personality. “These are fun, well-traveled, music-loving people who wanted their house to not be like anyone else’s.”
Smyth learned that after putting their young children to bed, the couple would tiptoe into their sizeable closet to listen to music and hang out. “For whatever reason, it doesn’t always occur to people to give themselves permission to use their house the way they want to,” Smyth observes. She proposed what she calls a “Zen den,” which rethinks an underutilized area into something homeowners will use—and value. “People need space to breathe and vibe the way they exist best, whatever that is,” she says. “It’s not the kid space. It’s not the media room. It’s where you go to relax in the way that makes you happy.”
On these pages, Smyth shares how she delivered a 1970s-inspired retreat that has become her clients’ favorite hangout for fun and relaxation.
Use colors that you don’t have to think too hard about. When something feels good to you, that is the language of design. If it doesn’t feel right, if it makes you feel itchy, don’t go in that direction. Lean into what speaks to you.
-Meredith Smyth, interior designer
THE VIBE
“I think of our work as timeless with a twist. Throughout this home, we embraced colors, textures and some unexpected details. This couple loves The Grateful Dead and music from and inspired by that era. This is absolutely who they are, so we leaned into it for this Zen den. In my opinion, the 1970s is one of the most timeless looks that you can invest in. I also believe that enduring spaces have a mix of different eras. Taking our cue from a specific decade, we mixed art, colors and materials to achieve this moody but inviting lounge.”
THE COLORS
“Throughout the home, this color palette—maroons, browns, greens, blues and hints of gold—comes from the 1970s and is very on point at this moment, but these colors are also classic and timeless. How can you bring life to a boring, blank-white room? When you’re trying to create a cozy, moody atmosphere, drench everything—the doors, walls, ceiling, trim, all of it. It’s impactful. People worry that this will make a room feel small, but it does the opposite.
“Typically, on a ceiling we use flat paint, but in this instance, we went with eggshell because we wanted it to have just a little bit of sheen.”
THE FURNITURE
“We were going for an edgy boutique-hotel feel. The 9-foot Chesterfield sofa in merlot performance velvet is very traditional, but in a more modern shape. We needed something low enough to accommodate the gallery wall above it, and, very important, deep enough for an adult to take a nap on. The vintage round chrome coffee table is pure 1970s rock ’n’ roll. Relaxed, low-key lounge chairs in cotton denim add notes of cool color.”
THE ARTWORK
“This couple had probably 50 posters from concerts that they’ve designed, worked on or attended, so we created a gallery wall of some of these moments. It was fun to frame them and make a fun statement about who they are and what they love.”
THE WINDOW TREATMENTS
“I cannot stress enough how important it is not to forget the window treatments. Don’t skimp. While I recommend custom draperies, off-the-shelf ones generally come in 50- and 100-inch widths. When you have wider panels pulled back, they’ll look fuller and cozier. If you can only find the smaller size, buy four and have someone sew two together for each side.”
SOURCES
- Interior designer: Meredith Smyth, Smyth House Interior Design, Phoenix, thesmythhouse.com.
- Wallpaper (by Mclaurin & Piercy): Deb Design Source, Scottsdale, debdesignsource.com.
- Wallpaper installation: Wallpaper-N-More, Scottsdale, wallpaper-n-more.com.
- Draperies (custom): Gotcha Covered of North Scottsdale, Scottsdale, gotchacovered.com/north-scottsdale.
- Drapery installation: Right Way Installation, Phoenix, rightwayinstall.com.
- Concert artwork framing: Atrium Framing, Phoenix, (623) 606-7355.
- Stainless steel coffee table: thesmythhouse.com.
- Velvet sofa and denim chairs (custom): mosshomeusa.com.
- Leather chandelier and marble side table: fourhands.com.
