Whether you drink alcohol or not, having a bar in the home can be a definite asset. Just having an additional sink where you or your guests can grab a glass of water or rinse a dish can free up kitchen space when you're entertaining.
You don't need a lot of room to fulfil your desire to have a bar. The fabulous bar featured today is small but has lots of character and storage. This little nook bar has room to store and display numerous bottles of wine and stemware. The gorgeous copper bar sink and Waterhill faucet in a wrought iron finish compliment the Old World charm of the décor. Hanging above the sink is a suspended glass hanger that is easy to build or create for casual, open storage. Everything is at your fingertips without a lot of space being used, which makes quick work of any gathering.
If building a bar from scratch is not for you, consider retrofitting an old cabinet, dresser or table for use as a bar. I found photos of one nice transformation at a Canadian website called Wood, water and stone (www.woodwaterandstone.ca). The Internet is a great place for finding décor ideas, so check it out to get an idea of what's possible. Some furniture items that can be used for bar service without having to make any permanent changes to the piece include a console or sofa table, set with decorative trays, glasses and decanters, a decorative writing desk, an antique washstand complete with vintage water bowl and pitcher that can be used to hold ice and/or implements, a microwave cart (sans microwave) or a plant stand (depending on the style).
Even a china cabinet can be used as a bar; simply open the doors and create an inviting, self-serve bar display.
You can also purchase a freestanding bar in many styles, sizes and price points. Most stores that carry furniture will offer freestanding bars units for inside and outside the home. Most will be dry bars, but you may be able to retrofit it to have a sink or purchase a bar that has the sink and faucet built into the unit.
A less permanent solution would be to purchase a rolling bar cart. A decorative item like this can be a great asset at a party and to the décor in general. Because these carts are movable, you can fit them into any room for any party occasion or situation. This is a great option if you're renting, because you can take it with you when you move. When not in use for a party, use the cart to display plants and photos inside the home or use it as a mini-garden display on a balcony or covered patio. You can also use a rolling cart as a movable library to have beside the bed or by a favourite reading chair.
If friends just 'dropped by' for a summer evening and you need a fun, temporary bar solution consider using something like a stepladder as a vertical bar on a patio or deck. Secure appropriate-sized serving trays to the middle steps of the ladder (where items can be easily reached) to hold glasses, bottles and small bowls of drink condiments. Use an unused paint can or beach pail as an ice bucket, which can sit either on the drop-down paint can shelf or be suspended somewhere on the ladder with an S hook. A large plastic toolbox filled with ice could be used to keep drinks cool and a tool belt could be hung from the ladder to hold bar implements to support the handyman theme. Make a small bar sign from a wooden paint stir stick for added flair. For a touch of evening panache, drape the ladder with decorative mini-lights. To the same end, a small, sturdy stepstool might work for smaller gatherings instead of a large ladder.
Another option for a quick decorative outside bar is to use a bird bath if you all ready have one in the yard. Empty it and rinse it out and top it with a sturdy piece of wood or large tray that will sit on it without tipping over. Place the bar items on the tabletop in a decorative fashion, then decorate the display with either fresh flowers from the garden or a decorative floral swag and accessorize with small items within the theme. A bird house sitting nearby, a few small craft birds from your craft kit, perhaps even the hand-made dragonflies I wrote about in my July 21 column can be used to adorn the vignette. Use clean, clay plant pots to hold bar utensils for that added garden touch. This is a good place to display a few of your small tea figurines in garden themes like snails or turtles.
Tomato cages can be used as individual side tables when pressed firmly into the ground and topped with a non-breakable dinner plate, Frisbee or other suitable topper.
Enjoy this warm summer with family and friends. Having a bar will make the entertaining pleasant and carefree.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
