The stunning cerulean blue of a Poland, Ohio family’s recently added bar could best be described as the same hue as a cloudless day in Greece, or the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea — or a certain Gucci bag.

It’s the latter that inspired the jewel-like area, which judges in this year’s Best of Design contest named their Best Space for 2024.

“I actually had a Gucci bag that was just this really beautiful greenish blue,” says homeowner Kate, who asked that the family’s last name be withheld. “I showed [interior designer Alisha Gwen] the bag and she just ran with it.”

Located off the home’s entry, the galley-style bar and lounge was part of an extensive two-year renovation project (also designed by Gwen) that included a two-story addition and revamping most of the home’s first-floor living space, including enlarging the kitchen.

Kate, who shares the home with her husband, Andrew, their 15-year-old son and their 10-year-old twins, says that when the family moved there in 2015, they inherited the previous owner’s wine collection.

“It had beautiful wine racks, but the wine wasn’t preserved because it was in this closed space in the basement,” says Kate, adding she didn’t want to commit to building a large wine cellar.

Instead, Gwen, whose studio is in Shadyside, brought Kate’s dream of open wine displays to fruition, adding custom mini wine closets — that cool at separate temperatures for red and white wine — to the first-floor bar and lounge.

“My intent with the mini cooled rooms was to display the wine in a unique fashion. I wanted the wine to sit stacked in shapes as opposed to the standard slats,” Gwen says. “After a quick sketch, a few hours fine-tuning the design on [computer-assisted design software], and a handful of phone calls with the cabinet pro, my design came to life.”

The space also boasts a dishwasher, ice maker and two under-counter refrigerators, as well as storage for glassware, mixers and liquor. Gwen notes drinks can be prepared, served and cleaned all in one space.

“I also love the efficiency of the mini galley-style bar,” she says. “There is nothing worse than the cleanup post-party of having to carry glasses and all the drink ‘fixins’ back and forth from one room to another. Having everything you could possibly need to make a single drink or serve a party in one space saves precious preparation and cleanup time.”

The thoughtful design didn’t go unnoticed by judges, who praised the space’s blend of convenience and beauty.

“They thought of every detail. Everything is designed perfectly,” says judge Katie Savakis, a project designer with Vocon in Cleveland. “It’s gorgeous.”

Knowing Kate wanted a sophisticated, adult room where she could relax at the end of a long day, Gwen added texture and depth to the bar with antique mirrors, fluted cabinet doors, gold-and-lucite hardware and a rich blue checkered wallpaper on the walls and ceiling.

The equivalent of slipping into a cozy cashmere wrap, the adjacent sitting area has complementary shimmery paper on the ceiling, a curved sofa upholstered in thick mohair, swivel chairs outfitted in wool boucle and drapes embroidered with velvet.

“I just think it’s like the one area in our home that’s just really upscale and luxurious, but it’s still friendly to having people over,” Kate says.

Read more Best of Design Winners 2024.

VENDORS

Interior Design: Alisha Gwen Interior Design

General Contractor: Don Sudon, Sudon Bros., Inc.

Plumbing Fixtures: Crescent Supply

Sink: Thompson Traders

Faucet: Rohl

Cabinetry: Hollow Creek Kitchens

Cabinet Hardware: Modern Matter Hardware

Appliances: Don’s Appliances

Fridge Drawers: Thermador

Dishwasher: Miele

Ice Maker: Uline

Ceiling Light: Visual Comfort

Wall Sconces: Arteriors

Countertops: Kendal by Cambria (Fabricated by Top Advantage)

Windows and Doors: Glass Wine Doors by Rex Glass

Furnishings: Counter stools by Century Furniture

Wallcovering: Chess Ocean by Omexco via The Romo Group