How Forbes and Masters Turned a Bonus Room into a Music Room
Do you have the kind of house where there’s always something coursing through your speakers? Welcome to the music room.
Perched above the garage in the 2019 Whole Home in Nashville, Tennessee, this often-underutilized space is a nod to Music City itself. Atlanta-based design team Forbes+Masters transformed the area into a luxe listening lounge for music enthusiasts, featuring ’70s-inspired furnishings with a collected-over-time feel, sound-dampening wallpaper, and—of course—plenty of room to house a major collection of records.
This music room isn’t about an over-the-top assortment of musical accessories or a professional-grade recording set-up, though—the theme is in the vibe.
“It was imperative to confirm the music room concept without being literal,” explains Monet Masters, who designed the room with partner Tavia Forbes.
Using a high-texture palette and chic accents, the idea was to design a space to connect with the inner creative or just throw on a favorite album and relax.
While everything about the music room makes you want to chill out (read: the modern shag carpet and plenty of seating), there are a few of the key pieces from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams that make this room so special.
Outfitted in a retro houndstooth pattern, the extra-deep, plush Franco Media Sofa practically begs you to sink into it, while the Grecian-inspired Santorini Cocktail Table offers a place to kick your feet up (and it’s low enough to match the couch height). Plus, it’s the perfect platform to display a sleek coffee table book (rock-and-roll texts encouraged).
The mid-Century-inspired Supernova Return Swivel Chair blends outrageous comfort with space-age lines and mixed fabrics. (Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ upholstery is all eco-friendly and handcrafted in North Carolina.)
Beyond its function, the plaster-like finish adds another textural dimension to the room. For more surface space, set a cold beer or glass of wine on the Onyx Side Table; as the name suggests, it’s made of the semiprecious stone, so each one is unique—just like your music taste.
The sculptural leather Elroy Chair adds a funky, unconventional accent to the room. And for current favorites, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ Glass Magazine Holder doubles as a record holder, so you’ll have easy access to whatever you’ve got on repeat (or whatever you want to display).
Of course, while the furnishings help set the tone for the room, there are plenty of musical touches and functional elements, too. Whether you dabble in guitar or get a kick out of bongo beats, it’s a fitting place to store instruments. And, ahem, if you’re not quite a professional, padded wallpaper functions as acoustical walls, so the rest of the house can go undisturbed (while you’re free to rock out).
“It was important for it to be functional for a music room and the activities that would go on in the music room, but we definitely wanted it to aesthetically support that beautiful interior architecture of the room and add to the high-texture palette,” says Masters. The suede-like wall covering is reminiscent of old-school speakers, while the patterned ceiling paper adds a trippy complement.
“Another piece that is an absolute favorite and really came together at the last minute was a custom, modular, vinyl storage platform that Tavia’s father built for us,” says Masters. After all, any music lover needs a place to store their ever-growing record collection. Architectural Grille created custom metal dividers for the unit, ideal for separating records by genre.
Inspired to create your own music room? We thought so. Take a cue from Forbes+Masters’ approach: “There is no one thing that makes it a music room—rather, all of the elements that are collaborating,” Masters explains. “The vintage accessories and musical instruments help define the space’s purpose,” while unique furnishings strike the right note as a throwback to the golden age of rock and roll. The only thing missing now: your music of choice.
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