London-based critically acclaimed product and interior designer, Lee Broom, has designed an innovative cocktail bar for luxury department store Selfridges in London, England.
The designer was commissioned by Selfridges to design the bar to celebrate the first anniversary of its Men’s Shoe Galleries. Operated by Mark Hix, the bar opened in December, 2013, and is the smallest cocktail bar in London.
Known as Mark’s Bar, it comprises of a collection of beautifully designed furniture that transforms into an operating bar that not only looks striking and in keeping with the high-end fashion surroundings of Selfridges, but is also completely moveable, so it can be relocated to different areas of the luxury department store.
Broom’s background includes fashion training with Vivienne Westwood and at Central St Martins, his extensive retail and bar interiors projects such as the iconic Nightjar in Shoreditch, made him the perfect designer for the project. He also designed the Christian Louboutin boutique for luxury London department store Harrods.
Broom said: “It was great to work with Selfridges and Mark Hix on the bar design. I have a great deal of experience in furniture, bar and high-end retail design, so combining all three disciplines into one brief was an exciting prospect. There were many unique requirements which ultimately have really enhanced the design of the pieces and I’m very proud of the result.”
There are three main pieces to the collection: a sideboard, a hostess trolley and a tall boy drawer set. Every piece is bespoke and hand crafted in the UK using walnut wood with polished and brushed brass accents.
Inspired by 1960s America, when entertaining at home was growing in popularity, and the silhouettes and materials of mid-century design. The bar recreates the sense of theatre from that era, producing a heightened version of home entertaining.
To tie the bar design together and help create a domestic atmosphere, Broom has added an oversized circular mirror using the same wood and brass finishes. A matching long wooden table and stools accompany the bar so shoppers can sit and enjoy one of the delicious cocktails on offer amid the bustling shop floor.
Images courtesy Luke Hayes
