Having a stylish home bar is all the rage. With the debut of Mad Men, home bars have made a comeback. Gone are those basement bars covered with harvest gold shag carpeting. Now, a more simple and elegant bar that could fit in the smallest of spaces are en vogue.
Because of it's popularity, vintage bar accessories are becoming more difficult to find; however, don't be discouraged. Keep your eyes peeled, and an open mind, and you'll find those unique pieces that would make your bar dazzle with unrequited glamour for an affordable price. Here are a few tips to give your bar a little pizzazz.
Because of it's popularity, vintage bar accessories are becoming more difficult to find; however, don't be discouraged. Keep your eyes peeled, and an open mind, and you'll find those unique pieces that would make your bar dazzle with unrequited glamour for an affordable price. Here are a few tips to give your bar a little pizzazz.
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| A home bar made from an antique table in House Beautiful. |
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| An simple cart is used as a bar. |
Tip 1: Almost anything can be transformed into a cool bar. You can use a slim desk, an antique cabinet, or even a dresser. As you see on the left, a simple, inexpensive, utilitarian cart is transformed into a bar cart by just adding vintage glasses and unique accessories. Make sure the item is close to bar height and use a protective surface (if it's not original to the piece) in order not to damage a wooden top. This can be done by adding a mirror, using antique silver trays, or adding a piece of glass to any vintage piece.
Tip 2: Where do I hunt? You can look for your bar and accessories at thrift shops, garage sales, bargain home stores, and even in grandma's attic. You should first look around the house or even in your basement for hidden treasures. Just remember to keep an open mind. Look at pieces by re-imagining them painted, with added casters (for height), or even with a mirror on top.
Tip 3: Inexpensive items can jazz-up your bar. Simple jars of infused liquors can add color, height, and interests to any bar. Look as far as your kitchen for unique shaped jars. If the jars do not have a seal, try adding clear rubber bands to the mouth of stoppers. This has worked for me on a jar of red currant vodka for the last two years.
Below is a picture of infused liquors I made for a friend during the holidays. One jar was rum with pineapple and ginger. The other was bourbon with cherries (for excellent Manhattans). She loved them and they looked great on her bar. Needless to say, they did not make it passed the holidays.
Tip 4: It's okay to mix different period glassware and accessories. You don't have to stick with pieces from the same period. For example, mid-century modern glassware can be pair with an ice bucket from a different age. You can pair beautiful etched glasses from the 1920's along with Dorothy Thorpe glassware from the 60's. Just use various heights and keep it simple.
Tip 2: Where do I hunt? You can look for your bar and accessories at thrift shops, garage sales, bargain home stores, and even in grandma's attic. You should first look around the house or even in your basement for hidden treasures. Just remember to keep an open mind. Look at pieces by re-imagining them painted, with added casters (for height), or even with a mirror on top.
Tip 3: Inexpensive items can jazz-up your bar. Simple jars of infused liquors can add color, height, and interests to any bar. Look as far as your kitchen for unique shaped jars. If the jars do not have a seal, try adding clear rubber bands to the mouth of stoppers. This has worked for me on a jar of red currant vodka for the last two years.
Below is a picture of infused liquors I made for a friend during the holidays. One jar was rum with pineapple and ginger. The other was bourbon with cherries (for excellent Manhattans). She loved them and they looked great on her bar. Needless to say, they did not make it passed the holidays.
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| Store holiday party |
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| Vintage George Briard Lion glasses |
Tip 5: Finally, don't forget to add a personal touch. Remember to use family glassware, personal photos, vintage items, or quirky bar accessories to make a bar of interest. It's a good idea to pull out grandma's silver tray that has been in storage for decades.
Just remember to have fun. Enjoy putting your home bar together and don't forget to send us plenty of pictures.
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