Therese Virserius Design Completes Bar Vdara at City Center

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. January 22, 2010

Therese Virserius Design, (TVD), an award-winning New York City-based hospitality design firm, unveils Bar Vdara, a sophisticated and chic lounge bar located at recently opened Vdara Hotel & Spa at CityCenter™ in Las Vegas. As part of the most exciting new development in Las Vegas, Vdara is an all-suite boutique hotel with a sophisticated international flair.

Considered the jewel box of the new luxury boutique hotel, Bar Vdara features four separate areas within one continuous space; the bar, lounge and upper and lower levels of the outdoor space. The design allows for a transparent line so one can always get a sense of the space from anywhere in the building.

Bar Vdara is shaped like an eye with the outdoor area reflective of the iris, consists of a vibrant color palette encompassing a variety of fuchsia, gold, dark purple, light lavender, vivid green, orange and magenta and is balanced by muted champagne and gray tones. Custom sheer panels separate the lounge and bar from the outdoor space, creating a layer of privacy while allowing natural light to permeate throughout the interior. In the evening, darker panels slide to create a darker, more intimate space. Stairs and built-in planters line the circumference of the lounge and upper outdoor space reminiscent of a necklace. As a result, the rooms have the flexibility to range from sexy and intimate to dynamically bold and vibrant. Because the space is curved, the stone floor creates an illusion that it is layered diagonally, but its not.

“Bar Vdara is a very special space that was designed to surprise and delight, like a beautiful jewel box, rich in color with touches of sparkle throughout. Guests will want to explore all the playful elements like outdoor lounge swing in the garden and will be delighted by the silver dollar-like sculpture over the bar,” explains Ms. Virserius, founder and owner of Therese Virserius Design. “The overall area, although challenging to work with because there were no solid walls, evokes elegance and intimacy while at the same time bold vibrant energy and comfort.”

Comfortable, yet very distinct and crisp furnishings evoke a tailored and refined atmosphere. The bar area features a floating bar with four (parallelogram) sides which encourages mingling and evokes interaction instead of a typical bar with straight lines. The bar top, created with striped marble, makes a striking contrast against the lighting and butterfly cuts of the surface. Together, the overall look creates a graphic, masculine statement. The bar front is covered in dark purple leather panels patterned to look like crocodile while pale lavender-grey fabric, which complements the overall color palette, is featured on the barstools. A magnificent theatrical overhead sculpture consists of multiple-angled, silver dollar like tiers which cascade over the main bar area.

Color coordinating chairs in luxurious greens and fuchsias are adjacent to the bar. Settee seating features contemporary square-tufted with embroidered backs of fuchsia peonies. Delicate gold stitching on the back maintains the subtle floral theme found in the carpeting in the lounge area. Specific thought had to be given to the backs as, per the concept, everything could be seen from all angles throughout the building. A black, glossy lounge rocker/body raft made of wood found in the center of the space reflects simple Scandinavian design and creates a playful touch to the area.

In the lounge area, the functionality of the space was a factor so that private gatherings could occur while other areas would be available for individual patrons and guests. Moreover, the space needed to transition from morning coffee to drinks at night, so like a little black dress, the design needed to be flexible. Silver pewter covered sofas with whimsical multi-colored pillows reminiscent of nostalgic candy wrappers line the interior of the lounge space and are flanked by smaller-scale worn deep brown leather chairs. Lining the outer edge of the lounge are modern interpretations of English wing chairs which feature low arms and clean lines in a vibrant orange hue specifically chosen to make them pop against the other colors. Nine, sculptural sixteen-feet screens, cantilevers over wing chair seating and are made with light golden or patina-type leather wrapped around rosewood framing. Hand tufted 100 percent wool lavender colored carpeting with raised gold peony outlines creates a subtle notion of seven-foot super-imposed flowers. The whole perception is that the flowers are whimsically spilling off the carpet and are 'strung' throughout in an irregular pattern.

The outdoor space is comprised of two separate garden-like rooms; the upper room is a more intimate space encircled by custom-made planters and steps while the lower area is open and separated from the bar by glass facade panels. An under-lit infinity pool lines the outer edge, creating movement and reflecting light onto the ceiling. Two deep-set couches with an m-shaped back enhance the space on the upper and lower levels to create a sense of casual comfort. A shining under-lit shallow infinity pool emitting stripes of light glitter up on the ceiling while the use of translucent resin tables continue the sense of light and airiness created by the reflective pool. The garden also features two whimsical lounge-type swings that seat up to six people and are suspended from the ceiling by silky steel-hued braided ropes.

“We designed the interior architecture of Bar Vdara to create different planes in order to engage guests in a playful manner leading them up through the lounge, out to the garden, along the reflecting pool and back into the bar. The tailored space is a unique experience that transforms from day to night,” says Ms. Virserius.

Therese Virserius Design
Therese Virserius Design is an award-winning full service interior design firm based in New York City with a focus on creating dramatic interiors that explore color, shapes and texture all within the context of a functional commercial space. Therese Virsersius Design was recognized by Hospitality Design Magazine as one of the Wave of the Future designers and was recently nominated for “The Rising Star Award” by The Fashion Group International. Current projects include Hyatt, Montreal; Vdara at CityCenter, Las Vegas, NV; Westin, Ft Lauderdale, FL; Xie Xie Restaurant, New York; lobby, lobby lounge and restaurant at Hyatt, Pittsburgh, PA; two private residences as well as commercial office space for Designer Greetings in Edison, NJ.