I want to talk to you today about bar cart styling but first a bit of psychology. You know those silly online tests you can take to determine whether you are more βright-brainedβ or βleft-brainedβ? I always come out nearly equal β 50% left brain, 50% right brain. Not that I give those kinds of tests a lot of weight, mind you, considering the theory has all been but debunked but well, whatever algorithms they have tell me that Iβm apparently both creative as well as logical.
Thereβs part of me that likes order, that likes to break things down to the sum of their parts, to have structure and a plan. And then thereβs the other side that likes to be surprised, to be creative and spontaneous, to go with my gut and just see what happens. How these things can co-exist in one brain, each trying to balance the other isnβt something I can explain. But I feel the push and pull of both β my logic vs my emotion and depending upon the situation, I give in to either one or the other.
When it comes to decor, I am often more apt to allow myself a little freedom to get creative, to try and fail, to play with it until Iβm pleased by the sum of the parts. But I do like to figure out if there are patterns in what I tend to do, when all the pieces fall in line, I give some thoughts to the how or the why.
I did a post not too long ago about deconstructing the coffee table vignette. I realised after a while that I was using a bit of a βformulaβ to create something that was pleasing to the eye and the post itself went a bit viral on Pinterest. Itβs been a popular one which tells me that you guys find it helpful when things are broken down in an easy-to-follow formula of sorts. And that makes my left brain pretty excited.
So I thought today β considering itβs nearly the weekend β that Iβd do the same process but this time with how I style my bar cart. Iβve had my bar cart for something like 5 years now. I still love them despite their popularity and Iβm actually just starting to think about the possibility of trading mine for something different. Itβs a tight fit in the alcove due to the handle on it and so Iβm thinking perhaps a little tiered table on wheels might fit that spot better. However, in the meantime, I decided to give it a bit of a refresh.
And in doing so, I realised that no matter how many times I style and change up this thing, I always fall back on the same basic pattern.
Now, Iβll repeat the fact that Iβm a total maximalist. I dig a bit of what I like to call βartfully arranged clutterβ so if this is not your bag and you take a more minimal approach, then you can simply leave out a few of the items or check out other bar cart styling on my Pinterest board for inspiration and deconstruct them in the same way I did here.
Bear in mind, thereβs no right or wrong way really β this is just what seems to work for me.
The 8 Elements for My Perfect Bar Cart
A Tray
I know I bang on about the joy of trays a lot around here but seriously, if you want any vignette to look pulled together β especially when you are corralling items together, stick a tray under it and suddenly it looks styled. The one I have here was from Homesense and the pearl inlay around the edges gives the whole thing a little bit of texture which I like. I would recommend something with sides for a bar cart (as opposed to something completely flat) so that the edging gives a little something extra to look at. I would also recommend going with something that contrasts the shape of your cart. If itβs square like mine, choose a round one to add some extra curves. If itβs a circular one, consider a square or rectangular one β contrasts in shapes are always a great way to add some interest.
Pretty Bottles
There are so many gorgeously design bottles out there. Wayne has taken to finding me pretty alcohol bottles when heβs food shopping because he knows I love ones with quirky shapes. On my bar cart, youβll see I have a Disaronno bottle with an amazing animal print (limited edition with Roberto Cavalli and they come up with a new one each year), Monkey Shoulder Rum which not only tastes amazing but also has a trio of little brass monkeys perched on the side and Blantonβs Gold Edition Whiskey which has a tiny racehorse on top. There are some other stunning bottles out there depending upon what you enjoy drinking β Iβve always loved the stately looking Hendrickβs Gin bottle, Kracken Rumβs double handle, Chambordβs stunning round shape, Bombay Saffire Ginβs beautiful blue colour. They just always look gorgeous on display.
Gorgeous Glassware
I get a lot of my glassware from eBay and thrift shops and vintage glassware is one of the things I find most difficult to resist. It was one of the reasons I decided to include some shelving above my bar cart to have somewhere to display them. However there are some beautiful designs out at the moment if you donβt fancy hunting around. I fell in love with these Anthropologie monogrammed glasses last year and was thrilled to see they were back in stock a few months ago. Get them while they are hot, however, if you like them. I expect theyβll sell out again coming up to the gift giving season. A few really pretty glasses, wherever you get them, should be a given on any stylish bar cart.
A cocktail shaker
Thereβs something about a lovely cocktail shaker that just says βpartyβ to me. I purchased mine a few years ago now but Iβve seen some gold ones here and there since then. Of course, there are other styles β Iβve seen some beautiful wood ones, shiny silver ones, pink ones β find one that speaks to your style and display it with pride.
An ice bucket
Similar to a cocktail shaker, an ice or champagne bucket shows you mean business. The bar cart is not just something pretty to be looked at (okay, it mostly is, letβs be honest) but also to be called into service at a momentβs notice. Who wants their guests having to root under the frozen peas to find the ice in your freezer? No one really. Make it easy, keep it within easy reach with a gorgeous ice bucket. You can find some beautiful vintage ones if you fancy the thrill of the hunt or grab a pretty one in the sales before Christmas. There are plenty about at all different price points.
A piece of art
A bit of art will add some personality to your bar cart as well as some visual height. I hung that one with a command strip so it could easily be removed but I quite like the fact that itβs offset a bit, almost an acknowledgment that I know the damn cart isnβt perfectly symmetrical in the space so why not just go with it. Iβve seen a lot of βbar cart artβ out there (do a search on Etsy to see what I mean) but I prefer to see a piece of art you really love β an old small oil painting picked up in your travels, a little bit of abstract art you made yourself, or a piece from an artist you love β rather than something with a slogan or too gimmicky.
Something living
Every vignette β and I mean EVERY one β should include something living. Or in my case, something faux that looks like itβs living. So a lovely plant, a bunch of flowers, even a small bowl of fruit will add a bit of life to your bar cart. Remove these βlivingβ items and your bar cart will be pretty but not at itβs best. Trust me on this one, it just always works.
Something quirky
And finally, you really just always need to throw in a bit of βweirdβ in your styling. Use something you wouldnβt normally see on a bar cart or something thatβs there just for fun. It will show off your personality, create a bit of a talking point and make the whole thing just a little more you. Embrace your personal weird. Itβs an entirely good thing.
Need a bit of help? Hereβs a quick and easy guide to get the look of my own bar cart!
*affiliate links are indicated by an asterisks. You donβt pay any more but Iβll earn a few pennies to buy more pretty bottles. Win-win!
1 Disaronno Limited Edition Bottle* / 2 Gold Cocktail Shaker* / 3 Beth Hocknel Art Print* / 4 Gold Pineapple Ice Bucket* / 5 Gold Ice Bucket* / 6 Pearl Inlay Tray (set of 3) / 7 Blantonβs Gold Edition Bourbon Whiskey* / 8 Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whiskey* / 9 Anthropologie Monogrammed Glasses*
Now thereβs no excuse not to have a styled bar cart! What do you have on your bar cart? Go on, Iβd love to hear from you!
Lovely! I really like this even though I donβt have the space for a separate bar cart so use my vintage sideboard top in a similar way. However I LOVE your pineapple, do tell β whereβs it from? Have a great weekend, hopefully making use of the cartβ¦??
I think you could easily apply the same formula to a bar βareaβ rather than just a cart :D And thank you! I got that pineapple a few years ago from Very.co.uk! Would you believe we decided to have a βno alcoholβ week and weekend?? Ha! Ahhh sparkling water is just as good, right? (no, no itβs not!!) xxx
I love your bar cart styling β so gorgeous! Iβm looking forward to seeing what the next Disaronno design is β I especially like the Versace one (I see that on your shelf!) What is it about fancy bottles and packaging that is so tempting?! xx
Oh I love the Disaronno designs! And honestly, Iβm a marketerβs wet dream, I love fancy packaging!! xxx
So gorgeous as always. Where do you get your faux flowers? I love this look but I just donβt know where to shop!
Ahh thank you Dana! Those particular fauxs are from OKA! Hope that helps :) xx
You are so so good. Love your styling and I love amaretto and apple juice. Iβve never seen a Disaronno bottle like that. Now I want one like that and not the one I have :)
Aww thank you darling! Oooh I donβt think Iβve tried it with apple juice β going to have to now!! You can still find those bottles here (I was surprised as it was a limited edition but managed to find them on Amazon) so you may still be able to get one? :) xxx
Love the glasses with gold letters, so pretty! Sophie x
sophiehmstewart.com
Thanks Sophie! They are just gorgeous arenβt they? As soon as I saw them back in stock, I jumped at buying them! Ha! xxx
So much great advice here, lovely! Totally with you on adding a piece of art to a bar cart, I love it when they have something personal and unique like that to give them personality. Also, can we discuss your PINEAPPLE?! Love, love, love! x
Aww thanks darling! Totally love some cool art on a bar cart and I moved that one there just to style it up but I think itβs found a new home now because I donβt want to take it down lol Would you believe that pineapple is from Very.co.uk?! Amazing some things you can find ;) xxx
Hi,
Where did you get the marble shelves from please?
:)
Hi Claire, those are actually a really easy DIY! You can find that here: http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2016/06/diy-faux-marble-shelf.html/
Hope that helps! xxx
Love this idea!! Where did you find those gold brackets!
They are from Ovo Home :) http://ovohome.com/Set-of-2-Brass-Brackets-by-House-Doctor
xxx
Looks fabulush as always, I too have the gold pineapple on my bar cart and I love it!
Yay for gold pineapples!! :D xxx
I love those glasses, I think I need some.
Your bar cart looks very stylish, and nicely put together. Itβs something that we donβt have in our house, sad people that we are, we only really have spirits at Christmas (sorry I said the C word, but what youβve put together looks really good.
Hope you and Wayne have a good weekend xxx
Aww cheers lovely! Iβll forgive you from saying the C word β my inbox is already filling up with christmas things! Ack! Hope youβre having a lovely weekend and remember, itβs never too soon to start stocking up :D lol xxx
We love Blantons and have a couple of empty bottles on the bookcase. Everyone likes and comments on them.
Great post x
That is very pretty & useful. I have mine on silver trays on a console table in the conservatory in Winter with the glasses on hand in a sideboard next to it; the trays are moved to another console table in to the living room in summer when it is too warm in the conservatory. I like your styling by having it all on hand β¦.
Great post! Please tell me where you got the bar cart? It is gorgeous :)
Hi Rachel, my bar cart is vintage unfortunately! I found it on eBay :) xx
Hi, amazing drinks trolley! I noticed you got the flowers from OKA, Iβm looking for an identical bunch. Did you by each flower individually or did they come in a bunch? Thanks in advance
I chose them individually! Peonies and roses mostly if that helps :) xx
Where did you find the gold pineapple? I love it!! I want one!
Ahh I got that a few years ago from Very.co.uk but I donβt believe they still have them! So sorry but perhaps you can find one on eBay still? xxx
Love this! Totally agree with the Art piece, not too keen on having βsloganβ logos etc. Could you please tell me where the frame is from? I am looking for one to frame my old piece of art but canβt find one and this is exactly what I am after!!
Hi Natalia, Oh thank you! I normally use EasyFrame for my prints β they are actually quite reasonably priced especially for smaller custom pieces. I think that one including the matt cost me around Β£15! https://www.easyframe.co.uk/ Hope that helps! xxx