This At-Home Lounge Is Equal Parts Elevated and Family Friendly

Brie Williams

When designer Rajni Alex first saw the floor plan for this house, she looked for what was missing from the mix: “There was a family room upstairs, with a kitchen and dining room that felt a little too small for ‘big’ entertaining. There were also already a couple of small reading rooms,” she says. What didn’t exist was a space expansive enough to accommodate movie nights or a Super Bowl party. “I wanted to create a multipurpose, family-friendly media room that everyone could enjoy.”

The location—the end of a lower-level hallway, with glass doors that open directly into the backyard—made it an ideal spot for group festivities. Channeling an elevated lounge vibe, Alex installed a stunning Phillip Jeffries metallic ombré wallcovering above a curved seating bank; cubbies on both sides were fitted with soft-glow LED lighting. The ceiling was covered in a faux suede material that looks like the real deal but is, crucially, lighter weight. The remaining walls also got a textural treatment in the form of striated grasscloth and a hatchwork pattern, achieved by layering plaster and paint around the perimeter. “All of these wallcoverings have their own identity and personality, but they meld together beautifully,” Alex says.

As for the all-important “media” element of the media room: Alex partnered with Walker Woodworking to design a custom console with a TV lift that looks like a piece of furniture but can effectively hide the television when it’s not in use. Nodding to a theatrical experience, Alex added chocolate brown draperies on both sides of the space, lined with trim designed by Ben Johnston for S. Harris. “I wanted this room to wrap you up like a blanket,” she explains. And, utilizing so many sumptuous textures and options for unwinding, that’s exactly what she did.

All of these wallcoverings have their own identity and personality, but they meld together beautifully.

A five-foot wide organically shaped Visual Comfort & Co. chandelier meant to mimic branches adds both architecture and sculpture to this grand room while maintaining a sense of modernity. A 16.5-foot armless sofa, upholstered in burnt orange mohair, provides a perfect spot to curl up to watch the big game (or take a nap). That same area can be easily transformed into makeshift cocktail seating with the addition of sleek drink tables and pattern-backed swivel chairs.

Brie Williams

A 48-inch midcentury-style shagreen pedestal table from Elan Atelier serves as the go-to spot for card games or backgammon, while velour draperies add to the luxe screening-room vibes. Sofa: Bernhardt, with S. Harris fabric. Pillow Fabrics: Harlequin. Wallcoverings: Phillip Jeffries. Chairs: Coley Home, in Fabricut and S. Harris (back) fabric. Tables: Uttermost. Drapery fabric and trim: S. Harris. Accessories: Wayfair Professional, West Elm, and Accent Decor.

Two additional barrel-back swivel chairs offer more seating to take in the view or the fireplace. Underfoot, she layered a plush but durable JD Staron indoor-outdoor area rug over a Fibreworks rug sized to the room. “We wanted people to feel like they could go in and out and not go crazy if something spills,” she says. Chairs and side table: Bernhardt. Fireplace surround: Cosentino and Architectural Grille.

“I like to mask the TVs, whether as a mirror or art. Hiding the TV in that media cabinet really made sense and gives it that other extra function that we wanted out of this room,” she says. Cabinet: Walker Woodworking. TV: Samsung. Hardware: Philip Watts Design. Art: “Atmosphere” by Angela Simeone, from Minted.

Brie Williams

Instead of traditional antique mirrored glass, Alex chose a tile-like, reflective wallcovering from Zoffany as the bar’s backsplash. Glassware: Replacements, Ltd. Fixtures: Kohler. Shelf railing: Architectural Grille. Countertop: Cosentino. Paint: Grate Black (millwork) in Full Gloss, Farrow & Ball. Art: Amanda Carol.