A Torrance-born Interior Designer Revitalizes an Aging Dive Bar, Infusing It with a Modern Twist on a Bygone Era

“I grew up in a 1950s house with a large wood-paneled den, popcorn ceiling and stone fireplace,” explains Sage, a Torrance native. “I’ll never forget that house and how badly I wanted to redesign it. This was a very cathartic way for me to design it how I wish my childhood home was.”

But overseeing the project remotely from her new base in London via late-night FaceTime calls was no easy feat. She had previously collaborated with owner Seth Weiss on numerous projects, such as Max’s Sports Grill in Huntington Beach, and Fox & Farrow and Underground Pub & Grill in Hermosa Beach. They decided to approach the full gut remodel with an artful amalgamation of attractive yet durable furnishings juxtaposed with cheeky and playful wallpaper, artwork and accessories to create specific design moments.

“It was a dark, gritty and dingy hole-in-the-wall bar with a 6 a.m. liquor license,” says Sage of the former establishment. “Picture black carpet, popcorn ceilings, ceiling fans, no windows, wood panels, low lights and pool tables. Seth envisioned Don Draper having a cocktail here, so we drew inspiration from that and created a 1960s airport lounge with den nostalgia—complete with wood-paneled walls, rugs, lamps and lots of ambient lighting.”

To achieve the vibe of chic airport lounge and mid-century modern living room, Sage sprinkled in one-of-a-kind collected finds from her Mary Poppins design sleeve: A spray-painted silver fox statue procured from a Connecticut garden store and placed in an alcove defined by emerald-hued Zellige tile. Barbie dolls arranged in diorama-like frames affixed to restroom doors. A main bar with quartz countertops from Marwell by Cambria, brown leather barstools from Pottery Barn and Champignon 3-Light fixtures from West Elm.

Other whimsical winks and throwback elements include a portrait by Los Angeles artist Nick Corney of Bob Dylan smoking a cigarette; a collection of photographs portraying a vintage car in St. Tropez by Lella Soper and sunbathers on the Amalfi Coast by Emily Abay; and roaring tiger-patterned wallpaper inspired by an original Gucci design. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed at a front entry clad entirely in faux brown fur.

“I wanted the entrance to be covered in fur—something I got after watching Get Him to the Greek,” explains Sage. “These fun, tactile elements are not frequently utilized in adult spaces, and I appreciate them. I wanted to have lots of comfortable nooks around the space—so although it’s a long, narrow, open room, you feel like you have your own little area defined.”

The moody and upscale lounge is divided into four distinct zones for mingling with other locals, sipping, lounging and playing darts. The sophisticated drink menu offers favorites such as espresso martinis and the Grey Goose vodka–based Pink Panther. DJs provide entertainment on the weekends.

“It’s your local living room—like your own home where you can be so comfortable you don’t want to get up from the sofa or chair,” Sage says of the project that she designed with SFJones Architects and contractor Michael Ferraro. “It’s a fun place to go and get dressed up, but I wanted people to feel comfortable to come in flip-flops too.”

Sage, who acknowledges the design is a departure from the norm, takes pride in the outcome. “As a native South Bay resident, I grew up with so many spaces leaning in to the beach vibe for obvious reasons. So I get excited when I can steer away from that. Living here doesn’t mean you don’t want to experience other places. I love that you feel transported out of the beach environment when you walk into The Fox Den, and you can be in a different world.”