Home bar in modern West Yorkshire farmhouse

Rich and Dan’s stunning modern farmhouse is nestled on the outskirts of Holmfirth in West Yorkshire and was built around 2016. Showcasing a beautiful blend of traditional Yorkshire stone, oak timber framing and floor to ceiling glazing throughout, the house is flooded with light to achieve an open plan yet intimate feel. Rich and Dan share the space with their Lynx Bengal cat, and their two Dobermans.

Cabinetry: Farnley
Colour: Charcoal
Handles: Armac Martin ‘Sparkbrook’ in Satin Antique Brass
Feature shelving: Grey Oak

When did you first start to think about adding a home bar, and what was the space being used for before?
“We have a large, open, galleried entrance hallway with double height oak framed windows, and part of the original space was designed as a dining area. We decided we didn’t want to use the space like that and so we started researching different options and liked the idea of creating a bar or tasting room. The idea behind it was that we could make use of the space more by creating an area to hold guests and entertain prior to moving into the kitchen or living room for a meal or dinner party.”

What did you want to achieve with the project?
“We wanted to create a bar and entertaining area that suited the house, so we didn’t want it to be too over the top. It needed to be the perfect balance of a cosy and snug space that was warm and inviting, but also something great for party nights with great lighting. It was really important to us that the bar felt masculine and reflected our tastes.”

Are there any special features incorporated in the design that were a must for you?
“We both love Veuve Clicquot and so we’ve had shelves incorporated into the bar where we can display some of the bottles and items we’ve collected over the years. They always create a real talking point when we have friends and family over and add a really bespoke touch to the bar design.

“It was also important for us to create a space where guests can stand and chat, so the design allows space for our bar table and stools. We’ve also got a fridge and a Kaelo wine cooler integrated into the cabinetry to keep everything nice and chilled, which is great as we don’t have to leave the party to go to the kitchen to grab a cold bottle of wine or champagne!”

Why did you choose Daval to help bring the project to life?
“Dan and I live close to Daval’s headquarters in West Yorkshire, and we had seen some of their fantastic design work in other people’s homes online. We really liked that fact that their bespoke, made to measure approach to designing the space meant that we could pretty much have anything we wanted, which gave us many more options as part of the design process.

“We were able to work closely with James, Daval’s creative director, on the design and specification for the bar, which was great as he was able to make suggestions and ideas that we hadn’t necessarily thought about, which really meant we were able to create a finished space that was completely bespoke to us and designed around our needs and lifestyle.”

What was the most exciting part of the project for you?
“For me, it was pouring the first drink when the bar was finished, but Dan might think differently! We also loved the designing and detail work with James as he was great and really understood what we wanted to achieve. It was fantastic to see it all come together.”

How has adding the bar area enhanced the way you use your home?
“Everyone who sees it loves it, and it’s a real point of difference now in our home. We hosted family on Christmas Day and it was a great place to start with a welcome drink and to keep guests from wandering into the kitchen and dining area until we were ready! It is such a social space.”