The Violet Hour

The visual inspiration for the design of the Violet Hour was drawn from the pared down styles of the early 19th century English Georgian and French Directory. The English club and the French salon were the beginning of the modern venue for socializing and drinking. The project not only uses stylistic cues from these precedents but more importantly uses spatial references such as the partitioning of space into several smaller rooms, the use of extra high wing back furniture groupings, and the breaking down of the bar into several separate lengths; all designed to create places of intimacy conducive to the art of conversation. The cocktail takes center stage in each room with the curtained partitions acting to frame the bartenders and with the high mirrored back bar cabinets acting to highlight the numerous specialty liquors and ingredients.