A Speakeasy Reimagined: Hush, Designed by Black Ivy Design, Brings Art Deco Glamour to Warwickshire

In a quiet corner of Warwickshire, a new hidden treasure has opened its doors. Hush is a new private members’ club developed by Leam Properties.  Nestled in a basement by the River Avon, the new bar exudes the glamour and intrigue of a bygone era. With interiors crafted by Black Ivy Design, the venue merges the decadence of the Roaring Twenties with the understated sophistication of modern luxury.

In sharing this project, we bring you exclusive insights into the design thinking behind Hush, the new private members’ club crafted by Black Ivy Design. Leanne Armstrong, Founder and Creative Director, offers a deeper look into two defining elements of the space: lighting and tactility.

As Leanne explains, “Lighting is the emotional undercurrent of Hush”—a carefully orchestrated element that guides mood and movement throughout the venue. Equally, the focus on touch transforms the experience, with “every surface inviting interaction, rewarding curiosity.” These details go beyond aesthetics, shaping an immersive atmosphere that brings the spirit of Hush vividly to life.

Stepping back in time

As well as a stylish bar, Hush is an immersive hospitality experience. From the moment guests descend into the low-lit, velvet-lined space, they are transported to an era of jazz-filled nights and clandestine gatherings. The design’s art deco inspiration is clear, but it is elevated with a contemporary sensibility that feels fresh and inviting.

Leanne Armstrong, Founder and Creative Director of Black Ivy Design says:

“The client envisioned a space that would capture the spirit of the 1920s, but with the refinement and comfort of today. We wanted every detail to feel intentional, every element to tell a story, and the result is a space that feels intimate yet spectacular.”

The transformation of the basement space was no small feat. Its low ceilings and riverside location presented challenges, but these constraints sparked creativity. Over nine months, the team reimagined the space, crafting a venue that feels atmospheric and entirely transformative.

Leam Properties:

“We couldn’t be more delighted with the interior design by Black Ivy Design – it truly feels like stepping back in time. Leanne and her team brought our vision to life with remarkable precision, creating a space that is as sophisticated as it is timeless. Every detail captures the essence of our members’ club, striking the perfect balance between style and comfort. We are incredibly proud to call this space our home.”

Lighting: the quiet hero

Central to Hush’s allure is its lighting design, a carefully orchestrated element that enhances the club’s ambiance. The low ceilings, initially seen as a limitation, informed a layered lighting scheme that creates depth and drama. A mix of uplights, hidden LED strips, wall sconces, and statement pendants work together to cast a warm, inviting glow.

The pendants, sourced from Anna Hayman Designs, are a standout feature. Their soft radiance complements the golden tones of table lamps, while fluted glass fixtures ripple light across the space, nodding subtly to the art deco aesthetic. The warm white palette envelops guests in an almost cinematic atmosphere, where time seems to slow. Armstrong explains:

“The lighting became the backbone of the mood. We wanted guests to feel cocooned, like they’ve stepped into another world.”

When asked about how she orchestrated the emotions, and experience, of the user of the space through the lighting, and how she wanted them to feel through the different areas of the project, Leanne explained:

“Lighting is the emotional undercurrent of Hush. From the beginning, we knew we wanted the experience to feel immersive – like stepping into a different time, or even a dream. The low ceilings meant we had to think very carefully about how to create atmosphere without overwhelming the space. So, we leaned into shadow and glow rather than brightness.

We used layers of light – a mix of uplighting, concealed LEDs, pendants, wall sconces, and table lamps – to create zones that feel intimate, almost theatrical. There’s a softness to the way light moves in the space; it pools and fades, rather than floods. As guests move through different areas, the tone shifts slightly – it might feel more cocooned in the booths, more dramatic at the bar, more ambient near the river-facing edge.

The goal was always to make people slow down. To feel held by the space. Light, in that sense, became our most powerful storytelling tool. By highlighting different areas with light, we could create pockets of space where people can sink in and enjoy the experience hidden, in little nooks.”

A tactile experience

Beyond the lighting, texture plays a leading role in the design. Walls and furnishings are draped in velvet, while deep reds and navy blues create a rich, enveloping palette. Art deco-inspired patterns are woven into the space, from the upholstery to subtle details on the furniture. Chenille wallcoverings and fluted accents add depth and refinement, making every surface a tactile delight.

When discussing the tactile nature of the project, and within her design work in general, Leanne spoke about why it’s so important to address the sense of touch and what this brings to the user of the space:

“Touch is often overlooked in design, but it’s one of the most instinctive ways we engage with a space. You can see something beautiful, but when you run your hand across a velvet wall or a fluted surface, it becomes real in a different way – it grounds you.

At Hush, tactility was essential to creating an immersive, layered environment. We wanted every surface to invite interaction, to reward curiosity. The wallcoverings, the velvet seating, the hand-finished detailing – they all work together to build this sense of depth and richness.

Tactile materials also bring a kind of quiet luxury that isn’t about opulence, but about care. It tells the user: you are meant to linger here. This is a space that was designed to be felt.

Adding in the contrasting velvets/chenilles with the marble bar top/ tiled pillars, glass lighting and fireplace it really does awaken the soul and ignite a sense of luxury.”

A New Chapter for Warwickshire

Since its soft opening, Hush has quickly become a talking point for locals and visitors alike. More than just a venue, it’s a sanctuary – a place where thoughtful design, carefully curated lighting, and luxurious materials converge to create an atmosphere that is both timeless and undeniably now. For its members, Hush is already proving to be a sanctuary of warmth, texture and light – a glowing homage to the magic of the 1920s.