If every home deserves a little mystery, then this room delivers it in spades. Welcome to the Club Lounge, easily one of the most complex spaces to reimagine, and in the end, one of the most rewarding chapters in our renovation of this historic Atlanta Victorian.
A Room Without a Purpose
Though centrally located, the room felt disconnected and unclear in purpose. A trio of doors crowded one wall, a lonely window faced the neighboring brick wall, and a non-functioning fireplace sat unused in the corner.
Previously a spare bedroom, it lacked identity. Surrounded by entertaining spaces, it was time to give the room a new role.
A New Vision Where Speakeasy Meets Southern Charm
Drawing inspiration from The Nines, an intimate supper club in New York City known for its moody red interior and velvet-drenched ambiance, the homeowners envisioned a cozy yet glamorous Club Lounge. They pictured a room where guests could gather for after-dinner drinks or sneak away for a quiet chat during large parties.
The goal? Create an intimate escape where Paris meets Manhattan speakeasy, right in the heart of Atlanta.
Reimagining the Architecture
The transformation began with rethinking the room’s flow. Doors were removed or rerouted, and the window was eliminated in favor of lighting and art.
Then came the moment of serendipity: when carpenters added a new arched opening on the south wall, it aligned perfectly with the center of the adjacent dining room. Clues in the original woodwork confirmed this had once been the room’s intended entrance—closed off long ago by a previous owner.
Drenched in Red
Having already committed to red velvet in their Paris Hotel Suite upstairs, the clients hesitated before doubling down on the hue. But when they revisited the idea after a visit to The Nines, all hesitation vanished. This room demanded drama.
Walls were swathed in a deep, moody red, picture molding was added for dimension, and the fireplace was revived with a Victorian iron surround and custom Rosso Levanto marble mantel. A non-traditional chandelier cast a soft glow over custom furnishings sized to preserve the room’s intimate scale.
What’s Behind the Curtain?
Framing the arched entry, we installed double sided rich red velvet panels made from JAB Anstoetz fabric. Because the drapery is visible from both the lounge and the dining room, it had to look equally refined on both sides—whether drawn closed for privacy or pulled back to welcome guests.
The installation demanded precision. We bent and layered wood to mirror the arch, drilled it into place, and stapled the drapery from within, ensuring a seamless, gap-free fit.
Simple tiebacks allow the panels to open and close with ease, preserving the room’s tailored elegance. The result is both architectural and atmospheric, creating an intimate entrance that draws guests in and leaves them wondering what might be waiting behind the curtain.
The Finishing Touches
A custom sofa, made from the same drapery fabric and trimmed with Brunschwig & Fil’s bouillon fringe dyed to match the walls, echoes the drama of the drapery. As artwork is added over time, the room will continue to evolve, but its identity is already clear. This space is a velvet-wrapped secret, designed for connection, reflection, and a touch of indulgence.
What’s Next?
We’re not done yet. This historic home has more stories to tell, and each room has its own distinct soul, its own creative challenge, and its own transformation powered by collaboration, detail, and design. Join us next time as we continue this behind-the-scenes blog series through a renovation a century in the making, one custom drapery at a time.
Draping the Heart of the Home: A Grand Foyer Transformed
