Graphics Design Creative
The Gilded Bar Nook
Our new house came with what I can only describe as a bar nook… A wet bar nook in fact.
It is not a niche, and too small to even be considered a pass through, but literally a space tucked into a doorway between the living and tv rooms. It had a salmon-colored sink with old-style, plastic crystal knobs, a particle board lower cabinet with formica top and cherry facade that had literally slid off and was resting on the floor. A frameless 80’s mirror affixed with plastic clips served as a backsplash.
When building the bookshelf around the corner, we contemplated removing this nook… But Rob and I liked the idea of it, even though it was not really functional, OR attractive at the moment.
This lovely ‘before’ picture doesn’t include the Coca-cola bottle opener that was screwed into the wall on the left side of the nook.
We decided to have our favorite wood-working genius help us reimagine this nook once he was done with the bookcase.
While the idea of the sink is nice, it took up most of the counter-top, so it wasn’t going to be terribly functional to wash anything, so we closed off the pipe and had it removed completely.
In its place is a mahogany counter and custom built cabinet that now houses a beverage fridge. THIS has proved to be very practical as it gives us a place outside of the kitchen to chill wine, beer, seltzer, champagne….
I only wish it was a large enough to also fit an ice maker.
A mahogany frame was extended up the wall to house the 80’s mirror which I had removed and heavily antiqued. This is done by using paint stripper to remove the paint on the back of the mirror.
Use a spray bottle filled with bleach to spray around the edges and anywhere you want to remove the mirror finish.
Blot as you go and start slowly!
Once you have decided you are done distressing, use black spray paint to re-coat the back of the mirror. I even used a bit of gold spray paint to create some variation in color.
After installing the mirror, holes were drilled into the mahogany sides of the frame to allow pegs to be placed for glass shelves which added much needed storage and display space for glassware etc.
Rob always liked the idea of gold leaf in the bar… Perhaps it is inspired by the Clarke Cooke House which is dear to his heart.
I thought this might be the perfect place to try it since it is such a small space. I opted for faux gold leaf because real gold leaf is very expensive! It has the same look, BUT unlike real gold leaf, faux gold leaf must be sealed or it will tarnish.
An unattractive square recessed light was swapped out for a cute flush mount black star, and the ceiling was painted in Benjamin Moore Peridot green.
Overall, we could not be more please with how this little Jewel box came out!
