Hunt Room

Chappell Hill, Texas

The 700-square-foot subterranean study and gallery space celebrates the owner’s lifelong love of hunting and showcases his collection of fine English long guns. Located in a subterranean space below an existing gallery, the room is designed to respond to the challenge of creating a sense of natural light in the windowless space using intentionally selected, high quality materials that reflect the owner’s vision.

The design reflects  the owner’s interest in early 20th century  English men’s hunting clubs in an opulent, richly textured suite that pivots around a plaster dome with coved lighting and an acanthus leaf design. The primary finishes are detailed and crafted in fine walnut, unified by a custom carpet with a repeating the leaf motif and owner’s monogram.  The fireplace carvings are a loose copy of the fireplace in the Purdy Long House in London, which features the acanthus leaf design and was an inspiration for the space.  That motif was pulled into the design of the carpet and the trompe l’oeil in the dome. An array of carefully placed, color-tuned LED lights highlights the art and artifacts housed within the space as well as its highly crafted detailing.

The room’s focal point is a “flight” of eight engraved shotguns in a custom designed and dramatically lit display along the east wall.  Niche spaces were designed to showcase two Chinese urns and two sculptures from the owner’s collection while drawers tucked underneath contain additional items. The suite includes two small side rooms, a library and a bar, each housing their own special collections.