Whiskey Tasting Room Design in Coto de Caza

Whiskey Tasting Room Design in Coto de Caza

by Katie Gajda in News

Inspired by old Chicago speakeasies, this Coto de Caza whiskey room was designed as an intimate, layered space for evenings in.

Whiskey tasting room with layered textures, warm lighting, and custom bar design

When we first started this project, the goal was simple: create a whiskey tasting room that could double as a bar and an elevated hangout space.

But like most of our favorite projects, it quickly became something more.

The client gave us one request: incorporate a library ladder somewhere in the room. From there, we looked to old Chicago speakeasies and classic bars for inspiration, spaces that feel intimate, layered, and collected over time.

This wasn’t about adding a room. It was about creating a destination within the home.

View into whiskey room through glass doors with leather chairs and warm lighting

An Invitation In

From the moment you walk through the doors, the mood shifts. The space feels quieter, warmer, and intentionally set apart from the rest of the home.

Layered textures, warm tones, and architectural details draw you in, creating a room that feels both elevated and deeply comfortable.

The Ladder, Reimagined

This was the one request from the client: a library ladder somewhere in the room.

Instead of treating it as an add-on, we made it the focal point. Integrated into the built-in shelving and framed by brick arches, it becomes both functional and architectural.

It draws the eye upward and reinforces the layered, collected feel we wanted throughout the space.

Custom shelving with library ladder and brick arch detailing
Custom bar with shelving, stools, and layered lighting in whiskey room

Where It All Comes Together

At the center of the room, the bar anchors everything.

Wrapped in deep tones and surrounded by layered materials, it creates a space that feels grounded yet elevated.

It’s where conversations linger, drinks are poured, and the room comes to life.

Lighting That Defines the Room

Lighting plays a defining role in this space.

The Bridget Chandelier by Arteriors anchors the room — sculptural, dramatic, and intentionally unexpected. Inspired by Hollywood Regency and Deco forms, its layered chains and vintage brass finish create movement and scale that immediately draw the eye upward.

Along the bar, the Itzia Sconces by Arteriors bring warmth and texture. Their hammered antique brass finish adds a soft, reflective glow, while the twisted metal form gives the room a sense of play and subtle energy.

Together, the chandelier and sconces create a balance of statement and atmosphere — layered lighting that makes the room feel intimate, elevated, and unforgettable.

Bridget Chandelier by Arteriors with layered vintage brass chains
Itzia Sconce by Arteriors in hammered antique brass

The Result

What started as a single idea became one of the most distinctive rooms in the home.

The textures, the lighting, the architectural details, everything works together to create a space that feels timeless, intimate, and entirely personal.

Ivory & Olive Decor completely transformed our vision for the Whiskey Room into something truly special. What started as an idea became a beautifully layered space that feels timeless, warm, and incredibly personal. From concept through construction and final styling, their attention to detail, creativity, and project management were exceptional. It’s now our favorite room in the house and a space our family and friends can’t stop talking about. Their design vision and hands-on management made the entire process enjoyable, and the final result is beyond what we imagined.

— Client

This is why we love what we do, creating spaces that feel as good as they look, and that people truly live in.

xoxo,

Katie + Shana

Project Partners

Design: Ivory & Olive
Remodel Partner: Imagine Beyond
Photography: Darlene Halaby Photography

Material Highlights

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What's fading: The once-ubiquitous pairing of white subway tile and dark gray grout, a look that for years delivered crispness and order, now feels a little too rigid. It's not wrong, but it's no longer interesting. If you're renovating now and planning to stay in your home for years to come, there are better choices. Room-by-Room Color Guidance Kitchen backsplash: A warm putty or greige grout is almost always the right call. It reads as close to neutral as you can get while still adding warmth, hides the inevitable cooking residue far better than white, and photographs beautifully. If you're doing a zellige or handmade tile with natural variation, try pulling the grout slightly warmer; even a soft terracotta reads as intentional against an organic tile. Kitchen floor: Go darker than you think. A medium-to-dark greige or warm gray will hide far more than you expect and will look better longer. Bright white grout on a kitchen floor is one of the most common renovation regrets we hear. Don't do it. Shower walls: This is where the tonal, matching approach tends to shine. A grout that sits just a shade or two away from your tile creates a spa-like, continuous surface that feels luxurious without being high-maintenance. Shower floor: Practical wins here. A medium-to-dark grout hides soap residue and water marks. Save the light grout for the walls where it's easier to maintain. Marble and natural stone: Pull the grout toward the secondary tone in the stone, not the dominant tone. With white Carrara marble, the veining is gray, so a warm light-gray grout will echo it and make the whole surface feel cohesive. Bright white grout against white marble can make the joints look stark and over-defined. The Lighting Problem Nobody Talks About Enough This is the part that catches people off guard every time. 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Mother's Day Gift Guide 2026: Gifts Mom Will Actually Love

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