A sophisticated blend of form and function, the bar cabinet is having a moment in high-end home design.
Unlike the ubiquitous bar cart, in which drinks are displayed out in the open, bar cabinets provide spacious storage solutions while serving as impressive showpieces. Some, like one from Louis Vuitton, come souped-up, full of bling and glassware. Others, like a version from Ralph Lauren, are empty and it’s up to the owner to fill the insides with the right bar accouterments.
Aside from serving the practical purpose of containing a little liquid luxury, “they offer a surprise when you open them,” said Jennifer Cohler Mason, owner of J Cohler Mason Design, a boutique interior design firm on the Upper East Side, N.Y. They can also be used “decoratively to put books, vases, even a TV” on top.
Over the past few years, Ms. Cohler Mason has noticed an uptick in the number of clients requesting bar cabinets for their dwellings. “People are hosting more at home. They’re looking for additional ways to connect on a human level,” she said. “Having a drink, whether there’s alcohol involved or not, and making drinks, is a ritualistic, community-oriented activity. That’s not going away.” And the bar cabinets provide a particularly stylish way for people to gather for a drink.
For those looking to add one to their home, Ms. Cohler Mason had some advice on what to look for. If you have a small or dark space, “choose a cabinet with a mirror or high shine lacquer exterior, which will make your space feel larger because it will reflect and bounce off the light in your home,” she explained, adding that bright whites or creams lighten a room while “brown woods feel heavier and darker.”
Those who want to breathe new life into their space should gravitate to brightly colored cabinets. “These become welcoming and visually exciting focal points,” she said, “and will take attention away from existing furniture,” like pieces that have lost their luster.
But anyone interested in buying a bar cabinet should expect to shell out. These are glamorous pieces of luxury, which often double as works of art, and they are priced accordingly. While you can find more conservatively priced cabinets from furniture retailers like Pottery Barn, many designs come from independent designers and luxury design houses and can sometimes cost as much as a down payment for a house. Here, a few examples worth a toast.
Party in a Box from Louis Vuitton
Price: $192,000
For the flamboyant oenophile who wants something fully stocked, Louis Vuitton has created the ultimate party in a box — or as the designer brand calls it, the Party Trunk. Inspired by the French brand’s history and heritage (Louis Vuitton’s picnic trunk first appeared in 1892), the Party Trunk is crafted and assembled by hand at the brand’s workshop in Asnières-sur-Seine, France. Adorned with the LV trademark monogram eclipse pattern, the bar cabinet exudes a festive vibe and includes a litany of cocktail-themed paraphernalia including: a plated-silver ice bucket; shakers; coasters; whiskey, cognac and combination champagne-wine glasses; compartments to store up to 16 bottles; a removable drawer that can hold an additional 15 bottles; and a mirrored trunk lid. Bonus: There’s a removable disco ball that fastens to the top of the trunk, which is bound to extend any celebration.
Gatsbyesque Design from Ralph Lauren
Price: starting at $40,780
Styled in polished medium rosewood finish, the Duke Bar Cabinet by Ralph Lauren is inspired by the Art Deco style of the 1930s. The longtime design house has produced each handsome cabinet individually, piece by piece, since 2005. It includes two side doors that open outward, with four storage shelves that can house barware, bottles and glasses, from highballs to double old-fashioneds; two front doors with faux-key pulls, which when opened, reveal shelving; and three drawers with square knobs. The top drawer is designed to hold silverware, and the second drawer features a flip-down lid with a black glass surface. A removable chrome tray, which sits on top of the cabinet, is also part of the design.
Artful Execution from Armani
Price: $67,320
For the drinks-loving aficionado who wants a limited-edition cabinet to match their limited-edition wine and spirits collection, there’s Armani/Casa. Since 2005, the brand has commissioned artisans to hand-craft limited-edition bar cabinets. The epitome of functional art, the newest line includes only 11 pieces, a number that is a nod to the address of Armani’s design headquarters in Italy. (The previous limited-edition style offered 50.) The outer shell of the cube-like structure is covered in Valparaiso fabric, a hand-woven raw silk canneté featuring the embossed design of a flowering succulent plant that intentionally contrasts with a blue leather interior. Inside are three pullout drawers for cocktail gadgets, an ice bucket and bottles. Tassels on the interior add richness and eye candy, while the X-shaped legs are an intentional nod to vintage travel furniture.
Glamour from a Parisian Designer
Price: $33,120
In 2010, Sandra Benhamou, traded a career in staging for films for staging rooms as an interior designer in Paris. Heavily influenced by vintage glamour and the 1970s, she created the Leon Bar. This ivory-colored bar cabinet, is part of Ms. Benhamou’s “Ginger” furniture collection, a nod to the character in Martin Scorsese’s film “Casino.” Each limited-edition piece is handmade in France by master craftsmen. Ms. Benhamou wanted the piece to appear illuminated, an effect achieved by using a high gloss, off-white lacquer exterior; mirrors; and a shiny, polished stainless-steel-plated interior. Swinging doors contain three stainless steel and mirrored shelves, which hold glassware, while lacquered shelves inside store bottles, decanters and additional bar-themed items. When the doors are fully open, the top of the bar almost acts as a free-floating tray, creating a handsome visual. On top sits a closed drawer, which, when flipped opened, reveals two smaller shelves with mirror backsplash. “Bar cabinets are friendly, less formal, and fun,” said Ms. Benhamou. “These are pieces of design, which are dual usage, coming together to create a sexy and inviting experience.” The Leon Bar is also available in slate, olive, brown, and brick lacquer.
Highly Functional from Pottery Barn
Price: $2,999
Created for large-scale entertaining, the Melinda Bar Cabinet from Pottery Barn is a relatively affordable option with a huge presence. It offers expansive storage space for numerous bottles, stemware and even small appliances. The Melinda takes its functionality a step further with a built-in electrical outlet for blenders or other cocktail-mixing gadgets. Eight shelves on each door and drawers in the main body supply additional storage, while a removable glass workstation allows for plenty of room for mixing drinks. Ambient lighting is activated when either door is opened for some instant mood setting. It’s available in birch and cherry veneers with black or brown finish.
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