Home Hideaways

Troy Faaborg’s Speakeasy

PHOTOS BY MATT TREFT/CREATIVE REVOLVER

 

When designing their home, Troy Faaborg and his wife decided to turn an additional space by the wine cellar into a one-of-a-kind speakeasy.

“We immediately agreed that it needed to be dark, dim, and cozy, and we both envisioned it as sparkly, gaudy, and over the top in every way, even though it is a small space. We wanted a warm, inviting, and comfortable feel with a prohibition vibe,” Faaborg describes.

 

 

Every detail of the room effectively captures this vision. Guests enter through a wardrobe-style façade – which Faaborg designed and built himself – and encounter an elegant and intimate setting where a curated collection of décor takes center stage. Gold-framed art, mirrors, and photos cover the black walls; dimmed crystal sconces and a chandelier provide low lighting; and a green tufted velvet couch and matching pair of armchairs offer up cozy seating for conversation.

“There is not a detail about it that we did not deliberately plan, customize, and create,” says Faaborg. “Notably, we gathered no less than five generations of family portraits and photos which surround us as we lounge.”

 

 

Faaborg’s favorite feature of the speakeasy is the intricate tile floor with a retro motif. “My family and I arranged and assembled the 17,000 individual tiles into sheets, and then my wife and I hand installed them. It was a labor of love, and I can attest that there is literally blood, sweat, and tears that went into that part of the project!” he shares.

“Easily our favorite way to spend time in the room is filling it with friends and stories – while enjoying a cocktail, of course,” finishes Faaborg, adding jokingly, “But not everyone gets their picture on the wall!”

Stephen Dark’s Cigar Room

PHOTOS BY LUKE HAGE/CREATIVE REVOLVER

 

When Stephen Dark is ready to relax, he has a personalized retreat waiting for him – a custom-built cigar lounge added to his home in 2023.

“The room was inspired by our family’s desire to create a space specifically curated for me, a space that was part of our home but far enough away to be intentional,” explains Dark. His wife, Stephanie, took on the renovation as a personal project, and the Darks say they are both “ecstatic about how well it came out.”

 

 

Guests enter the lounge through a pair of glass doors that display a custom decal reading “The Dark Room,” a fitting descriptor for both its namesake and design. Inside is a small, sophisticated space with a deep blue color palette inspired by Dark’s love for the Dallas Cowboys. Built-in shelves display his favorite liquors and a corner cabinet houses a humidor and a beverage cooler stocked with refreshments. Personalized décor and classic gold accents can be found throughout the room, while throw blankets and pillows keep the space cozy.

Dark says the room is the perfect place to escape and “enjoy a drink, grab a bite, watch sports, and smoke a cigar.” It also serves as an intimate entertaining space where Dark hosts family and friends. The caramel-colored leather seating can accommodate plenty of guests, including bar stools, a couch, and a set of four armchairs that can be rearranged for close conversation or to watch a sporting event on the mounted TV.

 

 

“I also enjoy spending time with my son Xavier and our dog Lewie in this room,” finishes Dark. “It’s a man’s space, and we claim it as our own!”

Ken Julian’s Bourbon Lounge

PHOTOS BY BEKAH BERRY/CREATIVE REVOLVER

 

While spending time at home in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ken Julian and his wife, Tricia, decided to transform the formal living room they rarely used into an elevated escape. Tricia took on the design, and for Christmas that year, presented a personalized bourbon lounge to Julian as a gift.

“The inspiration for this room was my passion for collecting and enjoying bourbon that started back in 2011 and quickly outgrew a small cabinet in our kitchen,” shares Julian. “We wanted a bourbon lounge that created a harmonious blend of refinement and relaxation.”

Julian describes the lounge’s design as “masculine elegance,” defined by rich layers of color, texture, and lighting. Its dark, moody wall color pairs nicely with warm, neutral furniture, while cowhide, leather, and wood accents add interest. Ambient lighting from numerous lamps, picture lights, and a dimmable ceiling fixture creates a welcoming feel and enriches the room’s aesthetic.

 

 

When it comes to his collection, Julian’s bourbon bottles are neatly housed in a lighted cabinet, with select pieces displayed around the space. In the corner, a bar table stands ready to serve up pours, which Julian enjoys savoring alongside company and conversation when hosting in the room.

In addition to bourbon, the lounge also displays Julian’s personality and interests. Thoughtful, themed décor showcases his enjoyment of the outdoors, while framed family photos and mementos add a personal touch, as does dog-themed décor that resembles Julian’s black Labrador retriever, Nelli.

Since it was added five years ago, the bourbon lounge has and will continue to see plenty of use as Julian enjoys his favorite pastime in the room: “Kicking back with a perfect pour and listening to relaxing music, with Nelli at my feet.”

Jeff Rawiszer’s Pool House

PHOTOS BY MATT TREFT/CREATIVE REVOLVER

 

After moving into their new home in 2022, Jeff Rawiszer and his wife, Carmen, began dreaming up a space to entertain family and friends.

“Starting with a blank canvas allowed me to design it exactly to our wants and needs,” recalls Rawiszer. “We needed a space that could allow us to watch football, hang out by the pool, and grill up a big spread for our company.”

 

 

With the help of Carmen’s uncles, Randy and Raymond, the couple created a pool house with a covered patio and a sports bar inside, complete with a sign reading “The Rawiszer’s Backyard Bar & Grill.”

Upon entering the pool house, it’s no secret which team Rawiszer roots for, with University of Tennessee Volunteers memorabilia found at every turn. Here, football fans have everything they need to enjoy watching the game – or two, thanks to a pair of 65” flat-screen TVs. A stocked bar stands ready to serve up drinks, including Rawiszer’s specialty: a maple bacon smoked old fashioned.

When it’s not hosting watch parties, the pool house transforms into a karaoke bar, inspired by Rawiszer’s decades as a DJ. Color-changing lights and a speaker fuel the fun, and on game day, the lights glow orange and white while “Rocky Top” plays every time the team scores a touchdown.

 

 

No matter the occasion, Rawiszer says, “Everyone is invited, and everyone is welcome at the pool house. ‘Mi casa, su casa’ is our motto around here. We have already hosted a 40th birthday, a wedding shower, and multiple sporting event gatherings. We even recently had an impromptu karaoke night as a way to get to know some of our new neighbors.”

Whether cheering on the Vols or simply enjoying a summer day, the pool house is certainly destined to host countless more memories.