Entertaining? Get a good-looking bar!

With the rise in popularity of artisanal and small batch spirits, boutique wineries and craft beers, many of us are enjoying more elegant drinks in our own homes. I, for one, love nothing more than sharing my limited-edition cherry blossom Roki gin with anyone who feigns an interest! And what better way to display and serve than from a beautifully styled bar cabinet or cart? (Think of Mad Men – how would Don Draper do it?) We asked NAAZLI SOMJEE from WTP for some practical tips on choosing the ideal piece.

What materials are best?

As a bar cart is a statement piece, you should choose something that speaks to you. Art Deco with glass and brass, colonial with dark stained wood, contemporary with chrome, or industrial with blackened metal and hard lines – the choices are endless!

I really love the look of reclaimed wood. It’s eco-friendly as it reduces the use of newly logged woods, giving our jungles and forests time to grow. It also prevents old furniture, roofs and timber walls from going into a landfill.

The wood in the past was better – the trees were older than the ones they’re harvesting today. This means you can get some good-quality old wood at a decent price versus the quality of woods logged from younger trees. And reclaimed wood furniture doesn’t have to mean rustic. Our Misa Bar Cabinet, made from reclaimed wood, has a smooth finish and poly-coated gold metal legs.

What type should I get?

Having a bar cabinet in an entertainment space offers the chance to have a practical but beautiful area for storage and also the opportunity to display your alcoholic finds.

There are so many types of bar cabinets and carts; choose one that doesn’t crowd your space. Make sure you have the room to open it up or proudly pull it out when you’re entertaining.

If you have small children (or teenagers) you may want to choose a bar cabinet rather than a car, so you keep everything out of the way and add a lock if you feel it’s necessary.

How do I style it?

If you’re styling a bar cabinet, you want that wow factor when you open the doors or roll it out. My top tips are:

• Tier your bottles – from the tallest in the corner to the smallest at the front. You might like to look at bottles or labels that are unusual or colourful. But don’t overstock and make it cluttered.
• Use a statement tray to put your tools on – your shaker, jigger, swizzle stick, strainer and a pot of straws (metal or paper, of course).
• Pick some interesting glassware to display – they might be colourful or elegant crystal ware, or whatever you want to drink out of.
• Save some space to put fresh ingredients – either a small posy of flowers or herbs, or maybe a bowl with bright limes and lemons.
• What about adding a couple of cocktail books too?

Righto, I’m off to buy myself a bar cabinet and a crystal decanter!

3 Kung Chong Road
6235 2760 | wtpstyle.com

Get some more ideas and styling tips in our Homes section!

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