Make mine a double!
by habituallychic
12 . 02 . 09
Now that I’m almost finished decorating my apartment for the holidays, I was thinking that I should invite my friends over. Only problem is that I don’t have a bar so I’ve been pouring through my files for inspiration. The holy grail of bars of course belonged to designer David Hicks. When I attended his son Ashley’s recent lecture on his work, he posted the photo above and quoted his father who declared, “I like rows and rows of tonic bottles, apple, tomato juice, two or three syphons of spirits lined up behind each other; it gives a generous, welcoming atmosphere, and if a bus-load of friends descend upon you, you are ready for them.” Looks like I have some shopping to do! 
Designer Miles Redd has my second most favorite bar that takes it cue from David Hicks. He also outlines a list of essential items for a well stocked bar in House Beautiful here. It’s a perfect list for me to take shopping!
Miles’ bar and a few of the others include tortoise shell glassware that I think I will be adding to my list. I love the look!
One of my other favorite bar looks was from Eddie Ross‘ old apartment featured in Domino. Eddie collected all of his silver from the flea markets so looks like I will be making a few trips there myself!
In Eddie’s new house in the country featured in Lonny, he has his bar on the cart he found when we went to the flea market together!
Domino
Paco Munoz in Spanish AD
Ron Marvin in Lonny
Deborah Needleman in Lonny
Lindsey Coral Harper
Tori Mellott in Domino
Thom Filicia Designer Visions Showhouse
Veranda
Carolina Irving in Lonny
Rita Konig
Mike Thompson
Markham Roberts
Domino
Thom Filicia in Domino
Joe Nye in House Beautiful
Miles Redd in House
Steven Gambrel
Steven Gambrel
de Menil bar in a closet
Francisco Costa bar in a closet
45 Comments
You have made me very thirsty! There is something quite inviting and functional about the rows.
You’re done decorating?? Oh dear ~ did you enter my art glass ornament giveaway? You may not be done 🙂 They are lovely ~ I want them myself!
Paula Grace
These are all so amazing. Great photos. I love them all. Now I want a drink. Cheers!
I will take a glass of red,
please!
Leslie
Heather,
Thank you sor sharing all these pictures with marvellous ideas for making a bar when we will invite friends at home!
Greet
I love the art deco chrome liquor trolley…just so classy …I would def have something like this displayed in my apartment if I didnt have a curious little 14mth old 🙂
what a timely post! holiday entertaining is just about to start hit it’s stride!
Great post, very inspiring for the holidays–we’ve started an annual Christmas Eve drinks and as it seems to have become an annual event I want to be more prepared for it. I would like it to become a well run, beautiful but relaxed evening where everyone expects to enjoy the aesthetics as well as the company.
My favourite is David Hicks’ but I also like the relaxed feel of Rita Konig’s.
* Terriffic, fun n’ visually interesting blog, w/ super-duper photos to boot!
…Reminded me of OUR home when growing up~~~ my folks always had a “beautiful set-up” at their big bar… funny, like so many parents in “those days”, they starting locking the liquor cabinets below when Sis n’ I became teens…………(NOWWW I really understand “why”!!! Grins!)~
Thanks!
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Great post and one that warms my heart. I prefer the bar that has the most on it and is the easiest to actually use. Some of those stocks of liquor are very pretty but look daunting to actually utilize to mix a drink [especially if it isn’t the first drink].
Have wonderful holidays! I am headed to NYC soon to see the windows, etc.
ML
Inspiring photos of all different bar forms. I think my favorites are those that use a marble top for the surface; alcohol and water do not do wood finish any favors. But bar carts are great, too. Hard to choose, but I think my favorites (for their simplicity, and impact) are the first bar by David Hicks and the second of Miles Redd. Thanks.
Mary
love these! but one warning – I recently bought a vintage bar cart with glass shelves. I had a cocktail party a few weeks ago and set up the liquor bottles on the top shelf. I went back to my kitchen to get the glasses to put on the next shelf, and all of a sudden heard a loud crash. The glass wasn’t able to hold its liquor and both shelves shattered! Thankfully I had a few hours before my guests were to arrive, and the liquor bottles didn’t break. I have to find some stronger replacement glass – any ideas?
Marisa
So glad everyone enjoyed this post! I enjoyed putting it together and thanks to Jones for the tip on marble surfaces! Something to think about for sure!
And to Marisa, you should replace the broken glass with tempered glass. It is stronger. A similar incident occured with my client’s vintage etegere when we loaded it with too many books. You could also replace it with a piece of marble as Jones suggests. Good luck and cheers!
Well there is some inspiration. There is just something so welcoming in a home with a bar tray set up with ice and everything ready to serve.
So many options!
Thank you for the beautiful post.
One of the things I love about your blog is how much variety you show – all these ideas for a bar are brilliant!
I love Thom Filicia’s bar in Domino. The wood is wonderful.
we just finished remodeling our home and were inspired by the de menil bar in a closet and decided to add one in our dining room..I painted the inside farrow and ball mahagony..needless to say the cocktails look a lot more appetizing now! cheers!
Heather, great post! You should do a table top
book: on sitting up s bar!! Your photographs,
are simply beautiful. Plus, give me some great
ideas for the upcoming Holiday season. The beautiful,
French table with a marble top… I am now taking away
the lovely Irish Geogian vases & my cache pots, fills
lovely orchids. Away, they go & I am going to
set building my bar for the overflow of guest
loved Davids Hicks, Eddie Ross and Steve Gramell.
They all were quite lovely!!
One of my first official furniture purchases was a bar tray. What does that say about me? Miles Redd, Eddie Ross and Thom Filicia are my favorites.
Hi – first time posting here! I just love the wallpaper in the Veranda photo. The black tone on tone – do you happen to know the pattern or mfg? Enjoyed the post!
Karen
heather…you and i are thinking alike… i just posted a fabulous piece on 1stdibs.com that is the perfect free standing bar… it is an amazing zinc/steel table from the south of france… these ideas are fabulous… happy entertaining! x pam
Wonderful posts. There is not a dud in the bunch, but if I had to pick favorites it would be Thom Filicia’s and Ron Marvin’s. With views like that I could make drinks all day long.
I need to get working on a cool bar setup. Need to find a good table!
Nothing is as festive as a great bar at a party, its the worst when you arrive and can tell the spirits are being rationed. My fiancee and I are embarking on a gut renovation of a historic townhome in Chicago and will definitely be installing a proper bar area!
Nothing is as festive as a great bar at a party, its the worst when you arrive and can tell the spirits are being rationed. My fiancee and I are embarking on a gut renovation of a historic townhome in Chicago and will definitely be installing a proper bar area!
LOVE your post. My favorite is the orange Steven Gambrel! wonderful images. Bravo.
I also collect photos of home bars I like. One of my favorites was of an Airline Cart someone found and cleaned up. While I dream of having a home bar, I rarely drink and so it would just be one more thing to dust.
Make mine a triple! Wow! such inspiration, in more ways than one. Now, you’ve forced me to go pour a scotch. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shannon
Hi Heather! Hope you a great Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for including us in you bar cart post! Finding that cart with you was such a fun day! Best,
Eddie
What fantastic suggestions! We’ve got a small table that would be PERFECT for setting up a little bar when we have friends over for the holidays. You’ve got my wheels spinning!
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Absolutely love all of these—such a dash of fun and flavor. I had a bar cart in my San Francisco apartment, but it went into storage when I moved out east. Perhaps a cross country road trip in store to pull it all out… Hmmmm…
XX Kate
Interesting to have a bar with family ephemera hung above it. Creates a different mood when really personal effects become part of the design.
They are all lovely, but I think the first Steven Gabrel pic is definitely my fave. Cheers!
Hi there,
I love reading your blog–so inspiring. Thanks. The idea of a bar cart set up for cocktails every night when I arrive home is delish! I currently own a fabulous deco rolling and folding cart with chrome tray-even has places for bottles of varying sizes. This cart would be a great prototype for reproductions! The removable tray is brass-studded leather and super stylish. Oh well, in any case, it is for sale on vandm.com–take a look.And, again, you have a really great eye! Thanks.
Thanks Heather for the tip on the glass!
Karen – the wallpaper is by schumacher – imperial trellis in onyx. One of my favorites – I’m thinking of using the alabaster imperial trellis in my office.
Marisa
It’s only 9:20 and I already want a drink!! Your pictures are fabulous!! I am going to spruce up my bar cart right now!!
What a fabulous post!!! You’ve convinced me to finally clear out an old china nook and turn it into a glamourous bar!!! THANK YOU!!!
Thanks for this great inspiration! I usually keep the bar items tucked away, but I like the look and invitation these provide.
great inspiration! I hadn’t noticed the tortise shell glassware before, but it is darling!
I always enjoy reading your blog and this is a gorgeous post! And clearly very popular – perhaps you could treat us with a follow on with all the perfect items and essential drinks for a home bar?
What a fun post idea… I love all of them but especially the de Menil closet bar!!
These glorious libation wonderlands have been skipping through my mind all week! Can’t seem so get over them….so much so, that I now have the startings of a corner bar next to my living room sofa. Thanks for the inspiration!
Does anyone know where I can find the turquoise glassware in Miles’ bar?
that’s the best bar round up i’ve ever seen!!
Hello, can you recall any info on the lime green artwork in the Miles Redd in House photo? Thanks!