There's a lot to love about interior designer Alana Marie's transformation of this suave Los Angeles home, but the standout has to be its sunken home bar (which I'd even consider waiting in line and paying a cover charge to drink at). Hugged by glossy tiles and framed by a clever "finned" wall, it feels like it's always been part of the architecture — though that's far from the truth.
In fact, the double-height space had previously been stark (thanks to a highway of ceiling downlights), void, and filled with sharp, straight lines. "It felt a bit sterile when you first walked in," explains the designer. "For clients who were so warm and welcoming, the architectural finishes felt more like a showroom than a charming, modern home."
Making such an open and expansive space feel cohesive and cozy was a challenge, Alana admits. "We dropped the ceiling, added wood slats, and concealed the lowered floor," she explains. Layered with a "loungy and subdued" 70s color palette and a mélange of materials — including mohair velvet, leather, and a patterned, textured fabric (and that's just the living room sofa) — the space now feels like a tight embrace, channeling the same warmth the owners, both keen entertainers, extend to every guest they welcome into it.
The bar countertop is a beautiful Breccia marble, chosen for the way it complements the light limestone flooring, while tying in with the living room palette, too.
So, when creating a space that's so layered and eclectic, where do you begin? It was the homeowners' own personal sense of style that inspired the design, says Alana Marie, founder of Alana Marie Interiors. Tailored, chic, but "always with a bit of vintage or artistic flair," she describes.
The color and material palette echoes that sense of nostalgia. The "muddy" Breccia marble countertop in the bar was chosen specifically for its vibrant burnt sienna and mustard accents. Not only did it complement the existing limestone floor tiles, but it also connected the sunken space to the adjacent living room, creating a seamless flow when entertaining.
But the design of the bar wasn't just about its good looks (though it certainly oozes them). The angled, walnut screen behind is actually an attractive way to address a major layout flaw in the space: the fact that there was a direct line of sight from the main bedroom door out to the living and entertaining spaces of the home.
The vertical timber "fins" were introduced as a decorative feature and a form of visual barricade, like a room divider, says Alana. "By adding angled walnut slats to the back of the bar, we were able to create a sort of privacy screen," she adds.
The warm, luxe palette of walnut, marble, and antique brass gives the new home a storied feel.
Originally just a small cabinet with no seating or real sense of a 'moment', the home bar is now the obvious standout in the space. "It's a real showstopper that you see from the second you walk in the front door," says Alana.
The brief from the homeowners was for a design that felt "sexy and smart, but not overly masculine", and between the walnut millwork, antique mirrors, brass cabinets, moody burgundy tile, and multicolored marble, it's safe to say the designer delivered.
After studying Interior Design at The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles, Alana Marie worked with world-renowned Kelly Wearstler, and then with admired East Coast designer Kara Mann, before establishing her own studio. With years of experience working on major hospitality projects, including Hollywood Proper Residence, she brings a unique twist to her residential projects, evident in the design of this home bar.
Made from a blend of three different materials, the bespoke sofa is a total conversation starter.
The living space also underwent a much-needed overhaul. While we often assume that the trickiest layout to work with is a small one, large, expansive spaces also pose challenges, particularly when it comes to finding furniture that fits.
The previous living room layout — two facing sofas and a long, narrow coffee table — was overly rigid, made watching television awkward, and disrupted the flow of the open-plan room, sectioning off the living room from the bar.
Alana's solution was custom furniture, designed specifically for the space and its owner's lifestyle. A striking green mohair velvet double-sided sofa now snakes its way between the center of two distinct spaces — the living room and bar — while allowing them to still feel and operate like one, depending on the occasion and the number of people there.
"I love the layout we created, and the details of the cushions, plus the three fabrics," Alana says of the sofa that fits together like a puzzle. "It is a massive piece that feels perfect."
The main bedroom was also given a zhuzh, with most design choices centered around bedroom storage ideas that made the most of the generous space.
Motorized hanging rods elevated the clothing storage to another level, while wall-to-wall timber millwork manages to not only make the space more functional, but also warmer and cozier.
Then there's the dining room, which was previously styled with under-scaled furniture that felt swamped by the space. "Now, there's vintage mixed with contemporary, fresh colors and patterns in fabrics, and drama in the lighting and art," says Alana. "It’s a perfect backdrop for any dinner party."
And dinner party they do. "When we host, we can have the bar area buzzing with appetizers and drinks, while other people lounge and chat in the living or dining room," says the owner. "The space encourages that kind of natural flow and conversation. It’s so much more inviting now — it finally feels like us."
The dining room furniture is the perfect blend of vintage and contemporary that not only makes it feel more anchored, but full of character.
