Whimsical Music Room
Photography Credit: Peter Rymwid
Designing Harmony: A Custom Music Room That Dares to Dream
In a world where many clients lean toward the safe and neutral, designing this custom interior music room was a rare opportunity to go bold, break rules, and let creativity run wild. From the very beginning, the goal was clear: to craft a vibrant, eclectic, and soulful space that would serve as a sanctuary for music, meditation, and imagination. A room not just for sound, but for spirit.
The Vision and the Vibe
The homeowner wanted more than just a room with good acoustics—they wanted a fully immersive experience. A place where color, texture, and pattern would blend to inspire creativity and introspection alike. The intent was to create a space that was equal parts meditative and expressive, spiritual yet grounded, exotic yet elegant.
The Scope and Process
This wasn't just a refresh—it was a ground-up, fully custom project with no detail overlooked. The journey started with a single, bold inspiration: a zebra fabric. That striking pattern set the tone for everything that followed. From there, a custom rug was created with handpicked colors, acting as a palette for the rest of the room.
The ceiling became a canvas of its own with custom tone-on-tone striped wallpaper, hand-painted by an RCQ artist. It was paired with patterned custom molding—an intentional nod to classic plaster ceilings, reimagined with a modern twist. The chandelier, chosen for its jewel-like quality, was both subtle and dramatic, adding a sense of weight and presence to the room.
Grasscloth wall coverings added organic texture, and the deep black crown molding provided the perfect frame, grounding the visual vibrancy with a strong, architectural edge.
A Design in Phases
Each phase of the project unfolded like a composition:
Phase 1 focused on establishing the aesthetic foundation—selecting fabrics, textures, and the initial color story.
Phase 2 brought in the structural and artistic elements, including the custom ceiling treatments and lighting.
Phase 3 was all about the finishing touches: curated art pieces, custom commissions designed to pull colors from the rug and fabrics upward, and the strategic placement of the client’s baby grand piano, brought in from their former home.
Creative Joys and Challenges
Rina and Amanda, the design leads, both cite the freedom to play with color as their favorite part of the job. “There was so much room for imagination,” Amanda shared. “It felt like painting with furniture, textiles, and light.” The client’s willingness to take risks made the process even more rewarding—each bold choice only opened the door for the next.
The biggest challenge? Balancing so many bold elements without tipping into chaos. “The line between eclectic and overwhelming is razor-thin,” said Rina. “But when it’s done right, it’s electric.” Finding that balance required precision, restraint in the right places, and an unwavering eye for cohesion.
A Space Like No Other
What made this project truly stand out was its personality. Unlike more conventional interiors, this room was unapologetically expressive, layered, and alive. Every element had a story, a purpose, and a reason for being. It wasn’t just about how the space looked—it was about how it felt. This music room doesn’t just host sound; it amplifies emotion, curiosity, and soul.