Just over a year ago I started on one of my most creatively challenging, and fun, renovation projects for a couple here in Atlanta. After purchasing a new home, my clients tasked me with transforming their unused carriage house into a guest suite and fully-themed tiki bar. I started researching tiki bar designs across the world and honed in on a few key elements that would define this project – a dark and moody atmosphere, ship-inspired lighting, layered patterns, and real bamboo and Tahitian thatching for a custom finish. A leopard wallpaper and kelly green paint color made the bathroom a tropical surprise, and then as you move upstairs the bedroom decor becomes a bit more subdued, while pulling a few threads from downstairs in the color palette and accessories. 

Home Tiki Bar Design

Before & During Renovation

After Renovation

This long, narrow room wasn't used before renovating, and only held a large poker table left by the home's previous owners. It was clear some careful spatial planning would be needed to fit a fully-functional bar and seating area in the room while maximizing guest capacity. I rearranged lighting, had the room painted Sherwin Williams Naval, and had a custom bar built in the center of the space. Cabinets and shelves on the back wall added storage, with a prep sink, refrigerator drawers, and wine fridge below. The bar island was topped by Tahitian thatching panels from the ceiling, delineating the space from the seating area. Around the bar, I sourced a playful green ikat fabric to cover the counter stools, and I had a custom tufted banquette built with aqua velvet and blue navy, with bamboo siding on the base. Ship lights line the perimeter of the room, and a cluster of rope-wrapped pendant lights hang above the banquette. 

Coastal Attic Bedroom Design

Before & During Renovation

After Renovation

In the upstairs guest suite, the space was unfinished before renovating. I had the ceiling raised to accomodate recessed lighting and a bubble glass chandelier above the bed, and added a row of cabinetry to the stair wall with a retro-style mini fridge. The walls are Sherwin Williams Alabaster, with the subtle blue Mountain Air color on the ceiling as a reference to airy Southern porches. A cream boucle channel-tufted sofa sits at the end of the navy blue velvet bed, with a pair of unique buckled armchairs and a striped ottoman across the room. Not only does this attic bedroom provide a relaxing retreat for guests, I had an additional powder room added to this space, and we were able to preserve the storage space behind the walls on either side of the room. 

It was such a fun challenge to work on this tiki-themed space and coastal bedroom design, and so satisfying to see un-used spaces become my clients' favorite new place to hang out and entertain at home. From the custom banquette to the rope knot hardware on the cabinets, every detail made this project so special!