An interior designer was brought in to add some elegance to this new build
Custom curved furniture, dramatic lighting and a secret bar bring wow factor to the sitting room of this new build home
After moving into their new build house, the owners realised the sitting room would need a makeover to add character and improve the flow. To ensure they got it right, they brought in interior designer Sara Cosgrove of Sara Cosgrove Studio.
THE BRIEF
With an unusual L-shape and two key entry points, the space was tricky to plan. The location of the chimney stack next to the window limited the placement of furniture, too. ‘Our client wanted it to work as both a relaxing and entertaining space with an elegant feel, but were unsure if they needed a TV,’ says Sara. ‘They wanted a serene feel while being able to dim the lights in the evening to create a convivial mood.’
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
To zone the space, a dining table was situated in the bay window and Sara designed the Italian marble fireplace as a focal point for the seating area. ‘We ended up going slightly narrower and higher on the fireplace to maximise the beautiful ceiling height,’ she says. ‘There’s also a secret bar matched in with the panelling so it’s completely seamless when the doors are shut. A removable panel behind one of the side units gives flexibility to install a TV at a later date.’
FINISHING TOUCHES
Classic powder blue was chosen for the colour scheme with rich mustard accents and a few darker-toned pieces of furniture for a slightly masculine feel. ‘Art sourced at auction, plus a custom marble coffee table and chandeliers really add to the wow factor,’ says Sara.
LESSONS LEARNT
Good planning was invaluable on this project. ‘It took me many months to really figure out how the space was going to work,’ says Sara. ‘The bookcase on the back wall was a last-minute addition and I’m really glad I took the time to get it right as it worked out beautifully.’
Thankfully the client was wowed by the end result. ‘They understood how tricky the space was to resolve,’ says Sara. ‘So by creating the secret bar, having a fireplace as a focal point, separating the dining area and adding lots of sensible storage for crockery, all the design brief requirements were met.’