The building of the parlour
Is This Possible?
If you have ever dreamed of a whisk(e)y room, you probably poked around internet images wondering what that might look like. Images of stone walls and castle like features are visually pleasing but is that really attainable for the average consumer? Is this dream room even possible?
What Should a Whisky Room Look Like?
Most of us drinkers want a place to display our collection, sit comfortably, and carry on good conversation. Those of us that drink whisky are less inclined to sit atop a swivel barstool. We look for soft leather chairs to melt into, drinking in the scent of the leather to compliment our dram. The idea of sitting under a fuzzy blanket drinking a pour of Springbank while reading James Joyce and pondering the next drink was about to become a reality.
The Parlour Was Born
While considering what to do with an oddly shaped craftroom, in a newly purchased house, it was decided that this room would become The Parlour. Time for the demolition.
the murphy door
Two doors open up into the scotch room. One sits at the bottom of a busy staircase. The Parlour is supposed to be a quiet place to enjoy the finer things; a hidden entrance helps to keep unwanted people out.
Removing the old door and adding a murphy door made this room just a little more hidden. This door stays locked and an array of scotch boxes decorate the shelves. Now it simply looks like a bookcase that blends in with the wall. Other doors in this room have similar trim.
Here is the view stepping into The Parlour.
the vault
One of the reasons this room was interesting was that the old owners had (sort of) a wine cellar. The room was very cold and the walls were cinderblocks. There was some industrial shelving but this room could be so much more.
The vault door was installed before the brick was placed. The vault room is currently under construction at the moment.
It’s finished! Photos coming soon! If you can’t wait for the photos please click on my videos for a little reveal TikTok video.
FINDING BEAUTY IN AWKWARD SPACES
This extremely awkward space has a closet, sink, and recessed area with no real purpose.
Doors folding in blocks the area.
The lanolium flooring was first thing that was changed.
Many elements came together to change this wall into a beautiful area to view.
Ceramic wood tiles were placed as flooring throughout the room and into the vault.
The old white door was removed and all the trim. A new door was stained and placed surrounded by charred trim.
Brick was put up on the walls to add more dimension.
A new vanity sink + lighting were installed and shelving was built for glassware (and currently a few bourbon bottles) in the recessed area.
A spotlight was placed behind the shelf to light up the scotch boxes that decorate the area behind it.
NOW THE GOOD STUFF
I don't think this was used as a sweat shop but I'm also not sure why there needed to be 3 workstations.
Obviously all these cupboards had to go.
Paint was first project that was completed before the shelving went in. Next the shelving was built using boards and pipes from Home Depot and Menards.
A ladder was eventually going to be installed so a support structure was built at the top.
Last came the metal pins and wires that keep the bottles on the shelves without blocking the labels. This part was very expensive!
Once completed the ladder was installed a few months later. This was a fantastic detail that is probably rather unnecessary but definitely a wow-factor.
Seating
More cabinets! These were ripped out along with the door. Brick was placed on this wall and a new wood door attached.
Every whisky room needs whisky art. Two pictures of Ardbeg purchased off Etsy and a map of Scotland's distilleries sit about a soft leather couch.
The Parlour still had the crazy bright lights in the ceiling but the switch is now on a dimmer. It's great for pictures but sitting and sipping requires soft white lamp lighting and spot lights to show off the shelf.
Two more leather chairs, coffee table, end tables and this incredibly soft rug make this slightly chilly room, comfortable and cozy. Don't forget the artwork!
In honor of women and whisky the two paintings we had done both have a woman as the main focus. The one pictured here is John Singer Sargent's El Jaleo.
The one not shown (because it is still being produced) is John Singer Sargent's Portrait
The rest of the details
The size of the room is 23" x 14" which was more than enough to create the perfect whisky room.
Glen Cairn glasses hang from the shelves. Standard rocks glasses and Norlan whisky glasses are always ready for use.
A spot light is used to showcase the whisky boxes decoratively stacked. The boxes change from time to time.
Bourbon and rye bottles are on the bottom and the top has a few duplicate bottles of the scotch from the whisky wall.
Click on the Gifts link at the top of the page to link to
The one entrance in use is actually located in the unfinished part of the basement. This creates a very speakeasy feel and no one would know it existed unless they were walked them into the room.