The subterranean sanctuary of Ayrburn Barrel Room is where guests step back in time, to a period that paired elegance with decadence, and guests enjoyed the finer things.
The refined setting of the Ayreburn Barrel Room pairs wonderfully with the fine wine on offer, somehow enhancing the flavour. This is a subterranean sanctuary imbued with a unique ambience, where there’s a nod to the storied history of the wine being served with a design that ages the interior through the use of cracking render, hand painted murals, and exposed brickwork. Amongst this period piece visual is joinery with a classic, timeless aesthetic.
Engaged to craft and install multiple elements of the Barrel Room, this was an immensely satisfying project to work on, allowing us to recall the past and use our own generations of expertise to produce a finished result that reflects the unhurried elegance of a bygone period. The banquette seating we crafted looks as if visiting dignitaries have sat there before you, with the rich crimson colours of the cushions above the dark wood of the base hinting at aristocracy. This is seating where one sits down and exclaims ‘well - this is very nice’, to be quickly joined by murmurings of approval from others in the party.
The dedication to the overall feel extends to the back bar cabinets. Largely obscured from view unless standing at the bar, they are nonetheless of the same vein, with a permanence that adds strength and character to the setting.
The bar itself was crafted with a medium-dark coloured wood. The curved end sits aside the framed squares along the front, the design reminiscent of an era when such a bold choice was possible and graceful, sweeping curves would pair with geometric shapes. This is a bar from the roaring twenties and you can almost picture patrons waiting to be served, the ladies in Cloche Hats and the gentleman in Gatsby-styled suits.
Going back to that feeling of permanence from the joinery, this comes from its visual heft. There is a solidness which is immediately apparent and this, in turn, makes the quality immediately apparent. It elevates the experience and sets the scene for the fine wine to be enjoyed.
And it certainly makes for a delightfully intoxicating aesthetic.
Builder: Calder Stewart
Interior Architect: Alexander & Co