Stunning Before & After Of A Chic Cocktail Bar

The main bar features Phillip Jeffries Cape Town, an artisanal wallcovering handcrafted from authentic water hyacinth.

Welcome To "The Alps"
A local watering hole reaches new heights with stunning decor, artisanal cocktails, and natural wines. What was once a real estate office and art gallery space has been redesigned and is now a luxuriously chic cocktail and wine bar. The decor is breathtaking with intimate moments at every turn. Using handcrafted artisanal wallcoverings, the space is a warm and welcoming haven for the surrounding community.

This newly renovated space is inspired by a former neighborhood staple called "The Alps" that served old-school food and drinks. Sadly the Jersey City location has since been torn down, but the new Alps decor pays homage to the older establishment. As one of the co-owners has said, “It’s not a chateau, but there will be wood beams.”

The Space Before
A charming storefront that opens to a bustling street, the raw bones of the space included exposed brick and wood floors. With a clear vision to create a wine bar with artisanal cocktails, husband and wife team, Ian Leith and Mandi Danesi (@danesi.design), handled the design/build of the project. (Fun Fact: Mandi is also a PJ team member!) The interiors were completely gutted and reimagined to include a bar, seating areas, a full kitchen and guest bathrooms. 

1 The interiors were completely gutted and reimagine to include a bar, seating areas, a full kitchen and guest bathrooms. 

2  A former real estate office, the back rooms and meeting spaces were redesigned to fit a new clientele. The design/build team also added a kitchen, additional bathroom, builtin seating, and modern fixtures.

3 The existing bathroom didn't serve the needs of a bustling cocktail bar so when designing the commercial space, the design team also created an additional bathroom and revamped the existing restroom to accommodate guests. With some creativity, Mandi turned a former closet into the second bathroom. 

The After
The design plan included a long bar and several intimate seating areas for guests to linger. The elegant design of the curved bar is reminiscent of the shape of a boat and is designed to lure guests (pun intended!) to the back. Soft lighting, vegan leather upholstery, and natural wood elements add to the luxurious ambiance. A mirror gives the look of a peak and opens up the narrow space.



Design Inspiration
When dreaming up the design plan, designer Mandi drew inspiration from her own childhood watching her dad build a boat. Mandi joined forces with local woodworking shop Eternal Wealth Design to design custom beams inspired by the hull and frames. The 32-foot-long bar is crafted from white oak and makes a great spot for conversation. "When you sit at the bar you can really see everyone," said Mandi. 





Get the Look: A Nautical Chic Bar
A big bold pattern in natural materials makes a statement while keeping with the elevated vibe of the space. Phillip Jeffries Cape Town in Peninsula Path makes a statement behind the bar. The large-scale basketweave design shown above is a Luxe Natural wallcovering that is completely handcrafted by artisans using authentic water hyacinths. SHOP 6753 Cape Town





Blue Jewel Tones
Below deck, Mandi chose a rich, jewel toned silk-like wallcovering called Blue Moon and installed it vertically (also referred to as railroading) so it would seamlessly wrap the corners of the bar. Phillip Jeffries Type II performance vinyl wallcovering is durable, washable, and antimicrobial. By tiling the trim and floor, clean up will be a breeze. SHOP 9326 Vinyl Star Dust Silk




A Beautiful Banquet
As guests enter the cocktail bar, they're greeted by a cozy banquet with comfortable seating for a group. The walls are wrapped in Phillip Jeffries' Mirage wallcovering which is a light and airy ombré  mural inspired by the epic sunsets seen from the New Jersey skyline. As the sun moves throughout the day, light pours in creating a dreamy space thanks to the warm tones of Phillip Jeffries Mirage in Sands of Time. This gorgeous mural was printed on a luxurious grasscloth, Manila Hemp, and Mandi customized the design with PJ's Pure Imagination program. The rescaled mural now perfectly fits the seven-foot space from the top of the wood paneling to ceiling. SHOP Mirage 8728 Sands of Time on Marshmallow Manila Hemp


The Back Lounge
The back of the space was designed to have a more moody atmosphere perfect for late night gatherings. Here, Phillip Jeffries Flight (Clouds Only) creates an intimate, cozy vibe with the exposed brick and expansive ceiling. The billowing clouds create a large, immersive mural wallcovering. "It looks like it's been painted on the wall!" said Mandi. SHOP Flight (Clouds Only) 7066 Navy Night on Vinyl Metalworks



The Bathrooms
To create a cohesive look, Mandi chose a monochromatic color palette using dark greens and black. By layering several textures including natural water hyacinth and vertical subway tiles, the space feels updated and luxurious. The chevron gives the walls a 3 -dimensional look.

Phillip Jeffries Sun Valley collection is a multi-tonal mosaic wallcovering with a chevron pattern that is completely handcrafted by artisans using authentic water hyacinth that is hand collaged on matte or metallic grounds. SHOP Sun Valley 10142 Freshwater Falls

A Fresh Powder Room
What was once a closet, is now a stunning jewel box of a bathroom. A large-scale marble inspired pattern tops the glossy pink subway tiles. "You can go wild in a bathroom," said Mandi "We wanted to surprise and delight guests when they open the door. It's just a little pocket of an area yet it's so fun!" SHOP Ripples in Paneled Sand 9271-A




Completely revamped from front to back, The Alps is breathtaking at every turn. From the artisanal wallcovering to the cozy corners and comfy barstools, the space is a warm and welcoming haven for the surrounding community to enjoy artisanal cocktails and wines.