Stepping inside Snug Club by Alessandra Smith Design feels like you’re stepping into the set of an old movie, a 1970s nightclub, or a luxurious private lounge.

The magic is that, in reality, it’s part of an apartment inside a new development designed in Fitzroy.

‘The studio sits directly alongside my client Kelly’s primary residence within the same apartment building,’ Alessandra says.

‘She purchased the two neighbouring off-the-plan apartments together, with the intention of reconfiguring them to be used in very different ways.’

Renovations with Grounded Studios combined the apartments to create one larger home, while carving out a 23-square-metre studio — located just off the main living room — that was conceived as a completely separate space dedicated to entertaining, retreat and hosting guests.

But beyond the framework for the kitchenette, bathroom, and its own private entrance, Alessandra described the apartment as ‘a blank white box’.

‘From the outset, the brief centred around the idea of a ‘snug’: a space that felt intimate, enveloping and socially driven, with the atmosphere of a club, but one that felt relaxed and welcoming rather than exclusive or pretentious,’ she adds.

The new interiors were heavily guided by one of Kelly’s must-have features: a sunken conversation pit. Upholstered and designed by Narrow Window, the seating space is now draped in draped in gold jacquard velvet, setting the tone for the overarching 1970s-inspired aesthetic — combined with influences from ‘Italian modernism and Fitzroy’s local bar culture.’

‘Murano glass, marble, mixed metals, velvets and low, ambient lighting all became important touchstones throughout the project,’ Alessandra says.

‘During our initial briefing, I brought reference imagery to test the direction. My original proposal was more tonal and restrained, but Kelly encouraged me to push the concept further.’

Retaining the existing light timber flooring, Alessandra instead dedicated the budget to custom furniture pieces and a mix of vintage and designer lighting. The burgundy walls make the space’s compact nature feel atmospheric rather than restrictive, as chrome and mirrored surfaces bounce light around the deliberately moody interiors.

The apartment was also carefully planned to create a series of distinct zones within the single-room footprint.

These include an entry moment anchored by a mirror, console, and sculptural stool; a dining area centred around a custom Rosso Levanto marble bistro table; the conversation pit itself; and a lounge zone that converts into a sleeping area via the sofa bed.

‘Although the footprint is small, the project reinforced how resonant a space can feel when every element is working together. That became especially clear when Kelly hosted a New Year’s Eve party and somehow managed to fit twelve people in the conversation pit at once,’ Alessandra says.

‘Despite the apartment’s incredible balcony views and fireworks outside, everyone kept gravitating back towards the pit instead. It felt like a pretty perfect reflection of what the project was always trying to create — a space where friends could gather, connect, and lose track of time.’

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