Refined Spaces | October 17, 2025
The Green Room | The Power of Dark Interiors and Emotional Design
Why We’re Drawn to the Dark
There’s something deeply human about dark interiors. They ground us, they quiet the noise, and they make us feel cocooned safe.
In a world obsessed with brightness and minimalism, darker spaces invite stillness. They ask you to pause. To breathe. To feel.
When we designed The Green Room, the brief was simple but powerful:
“A private members’ club feel cigar room, moody, masculine, refined.”
I knew instantly this wasn’t just a design challenge. It was a mood, a feeling, a story waiting to be built.
The Psychology Behind Dark Interiors
Dark tones have emotional depth.
They hold light differently, absorb sound softly, and make you feel more connected to your surroundings.
Where light colours expand space, dark ones embrace it.
For The Green Room, we used deep green as the foundation, a colour that symbolises balance and growth. It’s grounding yet sophisticated, calm yet strong.
Paired with soft brass and warm lighting, it created that intimate club-like atmosphere the client wanted, without feeling heavy.
The Materials That Make It Feel Expensive
Luxury isn’t defined by price; it's created through layering, texture, and light.
Behind the custom shelving, we used a leather-effect finish, not paint. It adds richness and texture that you can feel, not just see.
The chandelier became a piece of art sculptural and timeless, crafted from recycled glass. Each shard reflects light differently throughout the day, creating an ever-changing play of reflections.
It’s these quiet details that elevate a room from “beautiful” to “memorable.”
The Transformation
Before, this space was just another plain, white-walled room unused and uninspired.
The goal wasn’t simply to redesign it, but to give it an identity.
Every element was chosen with intention:
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The deep green walls that draw you in.
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The textured leather backdrop for warmth and contrast.
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The gentle glow from layered lighting that shifts as the day does.
Now, it’s a space that demands pause. A room that feels both strong and serene a true reflection of modern luxury.
Designing for Emotion
Every project begins with one question:
“How do you want to feel when you walk into this room?”
That’s where great design starts — not with trends, but with emotion.
For this client, the answer was simple: calm, confident, collected.
And so, every design decision was guided by feeling first, function second.
Because when you design for emotion, the result will always connect.
A Room That Reflects Strength
The Green Room isn’t just a beautiful space — it’s a mood, a mindset, and a reflection of resilience.
It’s the perfect balance between masculine confidence and quiet calm.
The kind of space that doesn’t try to impress, yet leaves an impression.
For me, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful design statements are whispered, not shouted.
