Home Homes Featured in Midwest Living Gatsby-Inspired Touches Raise the Bar in this Home Cocktail Lounge This home’s dedicated cocktail room (#goals) serves up comfort, color, a jigger of moody and a garnish of glam. By Gary Thompson Gary Thompson Gary Thompson is senior staff writer at Midwest Living and Dotdash Meredith Travel, where he gets paid to play with words while writing about all sorts of interesting people, places and things in the Midwest and beyond. Not bad for a shy kid who was born in Kansas and grew up in Davenport, Iowa, reading his Dad's newspapers and his Mom's "women's" magazines. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in journalism from Drake University and been writing professionally for more than 30 years. When he's not wordsmithing, he's running or walking, watching sports or Jeopardy, and doing the New York Times crossword puzzle (or Spelling Bee). Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Published on October 14, 2021 Photo: Courtesy "What's great about designing a cocktail room is that you can break the rules," Designer Renee DiSanto says. 'Think F. Scott Fitzgerald-inspired private lounge. The more surprises and unique elements the better. Your cocktail room should feel different from the rest of your home." Whether you have a dedicated cocktail lounge at home or a smaller-scale setup, use these designer-approved ideas to add flavor to your space. Define Your Palette Designers Renee DiSanto and Christina Samatas used muted blues and brass accents to create a sophisticated look in this Glen Ellyn, Illinois, house. A wood-paneled ceiling and geometric chandelier add high drama. Courtesy Choose Durable Fabrics Cushy armchairs rest on sealed limestone tile that's easy to clean if a drink spills. Performance velvet is both luxe and durable, DiSanto says: "People swear by it. Some say it lasts over 30 years." Courtesy Make Mixology a Breeze All beverage prep happens here. The tall custom built-in holds a sink, wine (chilled and room temp), ice, mixers, trays and utensils. A quartzite countertop practically shrugs off liquids. Add Impactful Details An antique mirror oozes elegance, and a reticulating faucet starts the flow of conversation. "It's functional yet modern and makes for a lovely centerpiece," DiSanto says. "Everyone will ask about it." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit