1. Don’t buy them! Let face it…nobody NEEDS glass countertops or glass bar tops. They are a luxury purchase. I will remind you that glass is expensive to buy, fabricate and ship. Formica, solid surface are cheap, rugged countertop options, but alas they do not make for visually stunning high bar tops.
2. Define Your High Value and Low Value surfaces upfront. A very smart designer from West Palm Beach, Leslie Schlesinger once told me this. She was a beautiful lady who had the means to buy anything she wanted, but she also understood her clients well and the fact that EVERYBODY has a budgetary limit.
This is the single best piece of design advice ever.
By understanding how your kitchen or bar or restaurant flows, you can then play with various combinations of High vs. Low value surfaces that satisfy your look and budget.
Use surfaces that are in perfect harmony and offer interesting contrasts with one another. There are many lower value surfaces that complete the look you seek and are visually important components to how your space will feel upon completion. e.g. white, glossy surfaces expand the apparent room visual volume. Dark surfaces constrains the visual volume. Using thick and thin surfaces break up the monotony of single thickness everywhere.
Think of it this way…Imagine 2 identical homes you are considering purchasing…one interior is white cabinets, walls, with bright sleek surfaces vs a dark wood cabinetry with dark surfaces, dark flooring.
Which house do you think sells faster?
3. Size Matters!
Longer isnt always better. If you are seating 3-4 people routinely, a long glass high bar is called for.. Certainly restaurants and bars need long bar tops…your home may not. If its mostly 2 people…you may only need about a 6′ or 7′ long top. We say it all the time: ” You do not need a big glass bar top to make a nice design statement. 10′ long glass high bar tops may look better, but it will definitely cost more. Glass is a most inviting, radiant focal point for your clients when they arrive at your bar.
Width matters. 20″ wide glass bar tops are perfect for a dinner plate, wine, water, side-dishes. How do I know this? My bar at my house is 17.375….and I wish it were a bit wider. Wine glasses right on the edge of a high bar is not calming. That’s a critical dimension MINIMUM.
Many clients assume they need 24″, 30″ or wider for their bar tops. Maybe they do, but it will cost more for wider countertops…which may be unnecessary. 20″ wide makes great sense to save money. 20″ x 1.5″ thick is the standard you see in our photo gallery. It’s sleek, minimalist, functional and beautiful all at once. Wider bar tops to me never appear sleek. Especially given the nature of our flowing textures.
4. Remnants can fit the bill. We usually make full-sized pieces and take what we need to serve our clients immediate needs. This can leave medium and small pieces that are first-quality that may fit the bill for your project. There will always be fabrication charges, but the remnant itself is a great way to save money.
5. Do the Installation Yourself. For people experienced in handling countertops, (with a few strong helpers) this can save you money.
We are always here to either perform the installation, or assist you in yours over the phone.I hope this helps you understand a few options that can save you money when buying glass bar tops and countertops.
Jeff Downing (813) 784 5211
Jeff@DowningDesigns.com
Bar cabinets are stylish, versatile investments that provide much-needed storage space for wine enthusiasts and spirits aficionados – as well as those who love to host. They’re right at home in dining and living areas, offering convenient access to everything needed to pop a cork or raise a toast. But to get the most out of your cabinet, you’ll need to stock it properly. Here are a few ideas for what to keep in your bar cabinet so you can enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail anytime.
Choosing the right selection of wines and spirits for a home bar can be daunting. Should you buy what you know or branch out? What will guests want to savor most? Fortunately, there are a few staples that every host or hostess should have in their bar cabinet to make these decisions easier.
To ensure you’re ready to whip up classic cocktails and new creations at a moment’s notice, stock your bar cabinet with:
These staples ensure you can make a wide array of mixed drinks, from a simple gin and tonic to a citrusy margarita. As you expand your collection, consider adding liqueurs to mix things up, including orange, amaretto, vermouth, or Irish cream. A bar cabinet with refrigerated storage (like the one shown at the start of this blog, or the one shown below) can be the perfect spot to store some of those liqueurs, and mixers as well.
It goes without saying that your wine cabinet should be home to your favorite styles and vintages. From light and bright Gewürztraminer to bold and juicy Pinot Noir, this stylish yet functional storage solution will bring order to your collection of bottles – no matter where your palette falls on the flavor spectrum. Yet you’ll still want to keep a few bottles on hand for entertaining and everyday sipping. Consider a selection of the following:
Keep in mind, however, that the most important thing is choosing spirits and wines you love! Whether you adore a refreshing rosé in the summer or prefer the sweetest dessert wines, all that matters is creating a bar cabinet you enjoy. When establishing your setup, look for a bar cabinet, or even a kitchen hutch, with dedicated wine storage (shown below) to keep your favorites close at hand and easily accessible. That way your favorites are close at hand, without taking up extra space.
While you may enjoy spirits neat or prefer a simple glass of wine, there’s lots of fun to be had in crafting more ambitious cocktails. At the same time, anyone who’s enjoyed a mimosa at brunch knows that mixed wine drinks can be delightful. In addition to wine and spirits, you’ll also want to stock up on:
Some of these bar cabinet essentials should be stored in the fridge after opening, so be sure to check labels for storage directions. If you want to go all out, add a few garnishes for your next get-together. Olives, cocktail onions, lemons and limes, hot sauce, and the like all come in handy for crafting the perfect cocktail.
You have everything you need to host a memorable party or enjoy a quiet evening at home – almost. Don’t forget to stock your bar cabinet with a few essential tools that will make enjoying your favorite refreshments effortless. Complete your setup with these tools:
You might be thinking, “That’s a lot to keep on my cabinet!” To keep it all neatly out of sight when not in use, look for a bar cabinet with concealed storage. A smoked glass door hides away stemware and bartender’s tools for a sleek solution. In contrast, exposed wine storage offers a chic look and easy access.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at a gathering and realizing water is the only beverage available for guests who prefer to skip the alcohol. Fortunately, there are many fun, creative ways to use your bar cabinet as a nonalcoholic drink station. Here are just a few ideas to get started.
Whether it’s a chilly fall night or you’re ringing in the holidays, everyone loves a steaming cup of cocoa. In addition to mugs, offer friends and family marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles to make each cup festive.
If things get messy, you’ll appreciate a bar cabinet with a tempered-glass top that lets you wipe away spills with ease. Inside this option’s mirrored doors with stunning geometric inlays, you’ll find plenty of space for everything you need to create an irresistible beverage station.
Enjoy spa-like refreshments at home with pitchers of ice-cold water infused with lemons, berries, cucumbers, herbs, and more. Set out sliced fruit, hummus, crackers, and cheese, and you can savor a healthy snack as you relax.
Bring out the blender and a selection of fruits and add-ins. Everyone will love whipping up healthy creations – you could even hide a little spinach in those fruity concoctions for an extra punch of nutrition!
With these tips on how to stock your bar cabinet, you’ll always prove to be the hostess with the most – even when the only person you enjoy a glass with is yourself. To stay up-to-date with more bar cabinet ideas and the latest styling tricks, subscribe to the Twin Star Home® email newsletter today.
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