Studio Remodel: Designing the Cabaret
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
From the very beginning, my vision for Sienna Sinclaire Studios was always bigger than backdrops and lighting setups. I wanted to create worlds.
Spaces that made people feel like they had stepped into a movie scene, a story, or a fantasy they could become part of for a few hours.
What started as a remodel slowly evolved into a full cinematic environment inspired by old theaters, vintage nightlife, burlesque culture, backstage glamour, jazz clubs, and the seductive energy of classic cabaret.
This wasn’t just about redesigning a studio. It was about creating an atmosphere. A feeling. A world people could step inside.
This is the story behind the transformation.
The Remodel
Before the transformation, The Cabaret looked completely different from what it is today.
The space had originally been used as a call center by the previous owners and was divided into two separate rooms with low drop ceilings that made everything feel smaller and closed in.
One of the first things I did was bring in my contractors to completely demo the space. We removed the dividing walls to turn the two rooms into one large open studio, but the biggest transformation came from tearing out the low ceilings.
Hidden above them was nearly three to four extra feet of height, which instantly made the room feel bigger, more open, and far more versatile for photography, film, lighting setups, events, and large productions.
I also knew I wanted to lean into an industrial-style look with exposed ceilings rather than covering everything back up. All of the exposed ductwork, lighting fixtures, and ceiling details were painted grey to match the metallic HVAC ducts running through the space, giving the room a clean industrial feel while still looking polished.
The room had one window and I installed blackout shades so the space could function both as a natural light studio and a fully controlled blackout environment depending on the project.
The doors became a major part of the redesign as well. Originally, the room had four doors, which took away valuable wall space and broke up the flow of the studio, so I removed two of the doors entirely.
One existing door stayed the same size but was transformed with deep cherry red paint and gold trim. The second door became one of the biggest custom elements in the remodel. My contractor expanded the opening so oversized props and furniture could easily be brought inside, and I had a custom steel sliding door created for the space.
One side features a red-and-gold Palm Springs-inspired design that can function as its own photo or film set, while the opposite side has an Art Deco-inspired design that connects with the rest of the studio aesthetic.
Even before anything else was eventually added, the finished remodel already felt beautiful in its simplicity. With white walls, grey faux wood floors (in photos floors look brown but they are grey), exposed industrial ceilings, custom red doors, and an open layout, the room worked perfectly as a blank canvas for photoshoots, film productions, events, galleries, and creative installations.
Bringing the Cabaret to Life
Even though the remodel itself was finished, I always knew the vision for the space was much bigger.
I wanted to get the studio open and rentable first, but the Cabaret concept had been planned from the very beginning. It just took time to design, source, build, and bring everything together properly.
I spent months designing custom elements, sourcing vintage-inspired pieces, and working with a set designer to create features specifically for the studio. One of the biggest additions was the custom stage, which instantly transformed the room into something that felt theatrical and performance-driven.
Little by little, the space stopped feeling like a blank studio and started feeling like a real cabaret world people could step inside.
💋 The Stage
One of the biggest additions was the custom stage, which instantly transformed the room into something that felt theatrical and performance-driven. It became the focal point of the space and completely changed the energy of the studio.
💋 The Art Deco Elevator
The working Art Deco elevator quickly became one of the most photographed features in the studio. I wanted it to feel like something pulled from an old theater or vintage hotel lobby — glamorous, dramatic, and cinematic from every angle.
💋 The Ticket Booth
The Art Deco ticket booth added another storytelling layer to the studio and helped create the feeling that guests were stepping into an actual cabaret experience rather than simply entering a rental space.
💋 The Red Set Boxes
I also designed two custom red set boxes that could completely transform depending on the production. One day they could feel like backstage dressing rooms, and the next they could become hotel scenes, lounge corners, theater moments, or entirely different worlds depending on the styling and lighting.
💋 Vintage Theater Chairs
I spent time sourcing vintage theater chairs to bring authentic texture and character into the space. I didn’t want the room to feel staged or overly polished — I wanted pieces that felt like they had history.
💋 Custom Velvet Curtains
The red velvet curtains became one of the most important finishing touches in the studio. I had them custom made to hang throughout the space, adding softness, movement, texture, and that dramatic cabaret feeling that tied everything together visually. Plus they are perfect for creating intimate scenes by closing them off to make space even smaller.
More Than Just a Studio
Looking back at where The Cabaret started, it’s hard to believe it was once a low-ceiling call center divided into small rooms.
Today, the space has become home to Oscar-related events, baby shower reveals, music videos, movie scenes, fashion campaigns, performances, editorials, and countless photoshoots. Every production brings a different energy into the room and transforms the space in its own way.
It’s also become a huge creative outlet for me personally — a place where I can create my own photography, films, campaigns, and content inside the worlds I imagine.
Even with such a strong visual identity, the space still has the flexibility to continuously evolve depending on who walks through the doors and what story they want to tell inside it.
Because in the end, this was never just about building a studio. It was about building a world.
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