Buddha Lounge: Home Reveal + Design Reflection

D|B Projects
Written By Anne Mastalir
An image of the kitchen from Design Bar's Buddha Lounge project in Bend, OR. Three bar stools are tucked against this island with three pendant lights hanging down overhead. White pots and vessels decorate the countertops.

What an unbelievably proud moment it is to finally reveal the Buddha Lounge! Not only because it’s gorgeous–which it is, utterly, but the way–but also because this particular project captures the heart of Design Bar. We sat down for tea with the lovely Beth (proud owner and dweller of the Buddha Lounge) to reflect on the design process and what her new space is evoking. Here’s a glimpse of the conversation between Beth and Design Bar’s lead designer, Anne. It has been condensed and also heavily edited for colorful commentary, as these two sailors don’t hold anything back.

 

Reflecting on the Design Bar Process

Cozied up in the Design Bar Shoppe in Bend’s NWX, Beth opened up about the decision to redesign her home after having kids in her house for 24 years. A mom to her own three daughters (and nicknamed ‘Mama Dos’ for being a second mom to many others), she was finally ready for a new chapter. “I wanted to have a space of my own that was nice and comfortable and calming,” Beth recalled. Problem was, she had absolutely no idea how to achieve it–enter Bend’s Design Bar team.

Anne and Beth sit on the couch in Design Bar's Shoppe in Northwest Crossing drinking cups of tea.

Rather than looking to the latest trends or cranking out rote design, we work to create spaces that capture the spirit of our client. “Authentic is never going to go out of style,” Anne asserted on the couch. Beth remarked, “Friends who had been coming over to my house for years came over and they were like, you know what, it feels like you. This looks like you.” From the grand entertaining table, to the trifold doors, to the crystals buried beneath her flooring–everything was designed to reflect Beth’s personality and enhance her well-being.

In speaking about her great room, Beth reported, “The space invites me to the meditation I do every morning. In the old space it was a challenge for sure… to be brought into a meditative space by my physical surroundings is definitely not something I expected.” Wellness means something different to each individual, but Beth’s specific experience is a great reminder of what Anne believes: “Design is not a superficial element of life…. and so we struck that delicate balance of making it fabulous, but keeping it authentic and enhancing functionality.”

An image of brass fingers signing "Y" in sign language sitting on top of a stack of books. In the background are unfocused images of Anne and Beth sitting on the couch in Design Bar's Shoppe in Bend, OR.

As our teacups emptied and conversation wound to an end, we asked Beth what advice she would give to someone else looking to redesign their home. “TRUST YOUR DESIGNER!” she exclaimed emphatically. “That doesn’t mean you don’t get to say what you do or do not like… but there’s an element of trust you have to have if you're going to hire a designer. You have to be real with them. Don’t say what you like because you think it’s going to be in the next Architectural Digest. Say how you want to live.”

 

Revealing the Buddha Lounge

Without further ado, here is the grand reveal of the Buddha Lounge, located in Downtown Bend, OR near the iconic Deschutes River. Design Bar’s team worked on this project from start to finish: building collaboration, floor planning, hard palette design, furniture sourcing and styling. (If you’re in need of design services, we can help you, too!)

Image of the Buddha Lounge living room. Two brown swivel chairs and a grey couch surround a coffee table. Beyond sits the kitchen and dining area to the right.
Image of the living room furniture while facing the fireplace.
Close-up image of the coffee table in the living room. A Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton book sit among a Buddha statue, bowls and a vase.
A close of image of the living room's coffee table. A Buddha stature sits alongside books, bowls and a vase. A brown chair with snake pillows sits in the background.
Image of a black sink with brass hardware in the bathroom with fish wallpaper and a round mirror behind penny tile.
Two curvy, gray vases filled with greenery and curly willow sit on top of a hearth with a fireplace in the background.
A woman walks across the kitchen floor wearing a skirt and white sweater while holding some greenery.
Image of the pantry/bar area. Dark cabinets are below and the cabinets above are dark with glass panes. Styled books, glasses and accessories sit behind the doors.
A dining black dining table is surrounded by seating with pillows. White vases sit on top and a picture of a bee hangs sideways on the wall behind.
Dramatic stems and greens come out of a tall white vase sitting on top of the kitchen island.
Two patterned dark blue chairs and a side table sit on dark herringbone floors. Brass peace fingers and two white vases filled with greenery sit on the table.

We hope this reveal inspires you to seek authenticity in your life. Design trends are cool, but you are way cooler.

 
 
 
Anne Mastalir
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