Bar Bliss · The Ultimate Social Space for a Beverage

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission

for purchases at no additional cost to you.

Tucked away in a 1988 eat-in kitchen area is now, simply stated, Bar Bliss.  A respectable 5′ 8″ X 4′ 8″ rectangular nook flanked the backside of the kitchen, a textbook location in which to design an unadulterated bar.

The only demo needed was the removal of dated wallpaper, hence we “skip to the good part”.  The design process began with the usual suspects:  Pinterest, Instagram, Google, design websites and magazines, conversations, and recollections of favorite frequented bars.  Armed with a plethora of ideas, inspiration was easily forthcoming.  There was never a doubt the bar would be black and bougie.

At the initial meeting with the cabinet designer the following words were used to describe the vision for Bar Bliss: black cabinets, marble countertops, glass shelves, inside lit, gold handles, sexy, and sophisticated. After meeting with the designer, the first rendering was emailed, and after a couple of tweaks over a couple of weeks Bar Bliss was concocted.

Because the cabinets in Bar Bliss were going to be black it was important to include suitable lighting. The original eat-in area was already wired for a hanging light fixture. This allowed for two can lights in front of the bar.  With dreams of cool glassware on the four shelves, four recessed puck lights were added inside the upper cabinets for a spotlight effect.  These lights help showcase the varieties of glassware.

Initially the design for Bar Bliss included a wet bar but after a plumbing estimate, that idea was scratched.  The replacement plan for a high-end feature was to include a wine refrigerator.  The rest of the kitchen appliances were KitchenAid and a sincere attempt was made to keep it in the family but again cost served as a deterrent. 

After setting a budget and researching several options, the clear winner was the Frigidaire 45 Bottle Two-Zone Wine Cooler.  Admittedly, the first and non-negotiable criteria for the wine cooler was an aesthetically pleasing appearance.  The smooth elegant look and wood shelves checked that box. It also helped that the cooler has two cooling zones for red and white wine, producing perfectly chilled for when the time comes to start a soiree. The cooler arrived well packed and installation was a breeze.  Nine months after install the unit continues to work flawlessly.

There was a debate between light and dark countertops.  Would dark throw the moody and bougie vibes to glumly and frightful vibes?  The answer was yes.  The countertop selected was a continuation of the same used in the kitchen, a 3 cm marble Donna White marble.  Furthermore, there was enough leftover material from a kitchen slab to allow for more budget savings. 

With continued bougie/moody vibes, mercury tiles were selected for the backsplash.  But as serendipity has it, during the bid appointment with the glassman for other items, a remnant of mercury glass that was left over from another job was offered as an alternative and at a considerable savings. In addition, this option lent itself to a cleaner more transitional aesthetic.

The last item to select were the handles.  But just because it was last does not mean the handles did not play a special part in the design.  When designing the kitchen, inspiration was drawn from the KitchenAid appliances sleek handles.  An almost identical handle by Top Knobs in a brass finish was selected for the kitchen and logically carried through to the bar.    

   

For the finishing touches, on the left four colorful vintage Neiman Marcus decanters sit in an Ethan Allen brass tray while on the right a book sits on a brass easel camouflaging a Sonos speaker.  Lastly, keeping a watchful eye over Bar Bliss is a Joe Testa-Secca signed and numbered lithograph titled “Candy Stripes”.

Lastly, a couple of photos of Bar Bliss all put together and ready for a night in!

Cheers!

– izzy

Additional Casa Rosa renovation projects:

• Design of a Sensational IKEA Closet
• The New Era Powder Bathroom
• Do You Love Orchids But Struggle Displaying Them?
• Privacy Please: IKEA Curtains for the Win
• Backyard Bliss: A Stunning Remodel Story