A Quaint Little Bar

This quaint, little bar is just another wonderful little nook in the fabulous 1920's restoration that I have referred to here, here and here, that I have been working on.
This small space, between the family room and the kitchen, wasn't part of the kitchen eating area (you'll see that later), and it was closed off from the family room, so it really didn't make much sense. In the 'before' image below you can see how it was kind of awkward.

We took the wall down in order to open this space up to the family room. I had the contractor match the arc of the groin vault and this arc is mimicked on the wall parallel to it as well. Opening this wall up completely changed how the space felt and made it make more sense.

In the 'before' image below, you can see the wall that we removed. Aren't those groin vaulted full plaster ceilings fabulous?! Notice the thickness of the full plaster walls as well...love.

You can see in the 'after' image below how wonderfully dramatic it was to remove that wall.
The wall across from the window was also closed in and led to a butler's pantry, which the client's didn't need. I love how the new space is open to the family room but still feels defined and cozy.

In the 'before' image below you can see the other wall, parallel to the window, that we removed as well, in order to make the awkward space into a little bar.

We opened the wall up and built a bar where we added a wine refrigerator and a small sink.

Now, this little space has a purpose and it is wonderful for entertaining (which the client's do)...the whole house is actually!

Here are some of the details for those of you who like to see the little things as much as I do :-)

Fun nailhead detail on the updated wing chair.

These chairs are so fun. They are kind of a mix of a club chair and a wing chair and they are huge. The back is almost 5' tall!
I love love love the light fixture that I spec'd for this space. It is the Crown Top Banded Globe by Sandy Chapman for Visual Comfort. I seriously love it!

A lovely, quaint little bar, right in the convenience of their very own home.

Things are going well on the home front. I'm enjoying getting back into the groove of life now that Alice is becoming a little more predictable. Those first few months were brutal!!! Lot's of pizzas delivered to the Beck casa :-/
I cooked Williams Sonoma's pork chops with hard cider pan sauce,from their Steak & Chop book, on Thursday and their Penne Alla Vodka on Saturday, and they were both awesome! Actually everything in the Williams Sonoma Collection cookbooks is wonderful! They are my favorite set of go to cookbooks! The books are beautiful hardbacks and if you like food photography too, the images in the books are absolutely gorgeous and will make you want to cook every recipe!

I got an extra relaxing treat yesterday :-) I received a gift certificate to the Lantana Spa at the JW Marriott for Christmas and have been anxiously waiting to use it. I'm no diva and spa visits are a true luxury that are a special treat. I would walk by the gift certificate and wonder what treatment I would use it on and imagine the dark room and the zen music, all whilst Alice was pulling my hair and spitting up on my shoulder ;-). It was the best gift ever! I'm sure every mother out there would agree that the best gift to any mother is just a little time to herself. After my treatment I made myself stay extra long in the relaxation lounge, which I don't usually do. I just sat there and stared at the wall and sipped hot tea, it was amazing :-)

I hope you had a relaxing weekend as well and are getting a great start to the week!

*due to client contracts, I am unable to share sources*