The best bar none: Mark Taylor Design draw inspiration from one of London’s legendary bars in creating a beautiful bespoke bar area in Fired Earth Carbon Blue

Prestigious British furniture manufacturer and interiors design specialist Mark Taylor Design are renowned for creating distinctive, bespoke furniture and joinery that transform their clients’ rooms into truly extraordinary spaces.

So when the owner of a five-bedroom, detached, Georgian-style house briefed the highly experienced team of furniture and interior designers at Mark Taylor Design to create a show-stopping bar, reminiscent of the Blue Bar at London’s Berkeley Hotel, they rose to the challenge.

Designed to provide a masculine retreat, this cosy, intimate, Art Deco-inspired space has become the focal point of the drawing room.

However, there were some challenges that had to be overcome, as Susanna Hall, head of interior design at Mark Taylor Design, explains: “The room was relatively small and long in shape, which was rather awkward to work with. So we placed the bar in the centre of the room and then designed around this bespoke, statement piece. We created the banquette seating in one corner to conjure up the feel of a real bar, where guests could sit, chat and play games.”

Due to its shape, drawing light into the bar area was also less than straightforward. The team removed the existing downlights and created a coffered ceiling, which they uplit internally.

The client’s sculptures were housed in a bespoke, panelled stud wall and displayed in recesses. Susanna continues: “Due to the small, linear shape of the room, we decided to have the bar on wheels so it could be moved to maximise the space. We also felt this would add to its versatility because the movable bar could be wheeled out for events that might spill out into the garden.”

The front of the bar is clad in Whistler premium leather and topped with a striking, bespoke pewter surface while the panelling and woodwork are painted in Fired Earth’s Carbon Blue. As well as loving the colour blue, the client is also a car enthusiast, which inspired Mark Taylor Design in some of their fabric choices.

“We used Alcantara fabric on the banquette seating and pouffes. This tactile material is used for the interiors in top sports cars around the world and is durable as well as beautiful,” explains Susanna.

Stereo Interior Sacramento Grasscloth wall coverings were also used to soften the overall design.

At the other end of the drawing-room a small, informal table was designed to sit in front of the French doors that lead out to the garden, while the river, which runs behind the property, is reflected in the specialist, antique mirror to bring an element of the outside into the room.

Susanna says: “The room creates a space to while away the hours and beautifully mixes the excitement and drama of a bar with the relaxation and comfort of a space to sit surrounded by beautiful gardens.”

Mark Taylor Design – Where and how

Address: Quarry Bank, Quarry Wood,
Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1RF
United Kingdom

Tel: 01628 486707

Opening Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Meetings by appointment only