Staying In

December 18, 2024

Words by Andrea Darr | Photos by Nate Sheets

A designer’s basement bar and lounge rivals any night out on the town.

hen Meredith Lemons wants to get away—or to invite friends over—she goes to her basement. There, a speakeasy-style bar and lounge allow her to sink in and relax.

The designer finished the space after she bought a spec house and transformed all levels of the house from a blank slate into a personality-driven design.

“I revamped the whole thing to make it my style,” she says.

For her clients, Lemons seeks to understand who they are and what they want in their space. But in this case, she had only to go inward for the answer. Which was complicated. After a divorce, she sold what she thought was her dream house. It was coastal-themed.

“Here, I wanted to do something modern and with some funk,” she explains.

Clients know Lemons will push them in certain ways, and she did that for herself, too.

“I always try to bring in something random or fun so it’s not just like every other house,” she says of her work.

Usually, it’s through art like sculpture or statement pieces like mirrors or lighting. She used all of the above in her own home.

The upstairs is lighter, with white walls, but it throws a few punches, such as with bold tile choices. Each room flows into the next yet tells its own story.

The lower-level lounge is a bit more daring. Just ask Elvis, Johnny and Frank what they’ve witnessed—their mug shots are hung on the wall.

Brigitte Bardot is there, too. That sexy minx blushes behind her framed photo in the bar area. Maybe it’s because of that neon sign that reads: Just one more.

The draw of the space is an arched alcove with a mirrored backsplash and brass brackets supporting glass shelves.

“You see arches everywhere now, so that was the inspiration,” Lemons says. “I just love the look.”

The entire space is swathed head to toe—walls, ceiling and trim—in Narragansett from Benjamin Moore. To select a dark paint color is increasingly common, although many of Lemons’ clients still worry whether it will just be too dark, too overwhelming or will go out of style.

“It would take some guts to use it anywhere besides an office, basement or powder bathroom,” she notes.

Because of the dark color, lighting is key, which Lemons addressed with layered fixtures: overhead, picture lights and lamps.

The overall effect is deliciously moody. “It’s sleek and fun; it feels like you’re out at a bar,” Lemons says.

Interior Designer: Lemonhouse Interiors, @lemonhousekc

Contractor: InEx LLC