Trending: The Ever-Elegant Bar Cart

A few weeks ago, I got the urge to add to my living room. I don't know if it was all the Mad Men I had been watching or the Southern belle in me, but I had to have a bar cart. No good hostess should go without one, and with my family coming into town, we rushed out to buy, assemble and stock (and empty, and re-stock) one right away. I'll show you mine first so it doesn't look so measley after all the inspiration images. After all, I'm not a professional photographer...yet.

I think we did a nice job. The cart and trays are from Ikea. Zach attached the wine glass rack in some special way so it would look like it came that way, but really all the attachments were bought separately. The coral (in my favorite color, turquoise) was a lucky find at Marshall's, but I was too cheap to buy it, so Zach surprised me with it the next day. The other little trinkets are gifts with special meaning to me. And the mirror was stashed away in my closet, but I was desperate to find a place for it and it ties the cart in with the rest of the room nicely.

Here are some images of beautiful and unique bar carts, which I will someday recreate when I'm no longer on an Ikea & Marshalls budget.

Pretty:

Absolutely gorgeous, I have to have both:

 

Totally cool and unique, if I'd had more time I would have searched til I found the perfect piece to repurpose and put Zach to work. I'm jealous:

The next one is just beautiful. Industrial and nautical at the same time. With some bottles on the floor and a crate on the table, it doesn't look too hoity-toity. And everything looks repurposed, which I love.

And finally...this gem:

See the bar cart way back there? I love this whole room. It's just all my favorite things in one space. A comfy couch, modern chairs, a romantic chandelier and antlers! And...I spy a Kyle Bunting rug!

Moral of the story: Whether you get it at Ikea or an upscale store, or even at a flea market, whether you use it as a side table or a sideboard, whether you put your bottles on a tray or on the floor....you need a designated bar cart or table area in your home. They just make you look like you know how to throw a party. And they're pretty. So to help you get started, here's about a million to choose from.

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_search.php?C7=1#

Have fun!

Favorite Furniture: Rustic Wood Tables (& Happy Anniversary!)

Today is a very special day! It is me and Zach's first year anniversary and in honor of him, I am going to post about rustic wood, which is very much our style. Zach even bought me a coffee table for my birthday which I absolutely love! What's even better is that I saw the same table in two different luxury design magazines right after I got it, which always makes me feel like I have good taste :) 

Here's the table in my home

And here's the table online

Rustic wood is one thing I think will always be in style. It can be used in traditional or modern spaces, although I like it best in spaces that are somewhere in between. There is no reason a room needs to have a label for which style it is, as long as it feels right to you or your client. Here are some examples of rustic wood used in a variety of spaces:

Mostly Traditional




Via Pinmarklet

Via A Whole Lotta Home
I love the disco ball!



Via Cote de Texas
I love, love, love this room! Everything is perfect, especially the lantern.

Mostly Modern




Via Metropolitan Home

Via Home Design Decorating



Via Pinmarklet



Somewhere in Between

Via Emma's Blogg



Via Home Decorator Interior
I adore natural wood in a bathroom. It is totally unexpected.



Via Pinmarklet

Via Home Trend Design
These ceilings are to die for!

Via Synapse
Antlers!

Via d i n i n g by hanna.
Artwork!

 

Another interesting way rustic wood is used is through tree trunk tables

Via The Brooklyn Home Company



Via On Home Interior

Via Pinmarklet

What does everyone think? In which kind of space would you prefer to see rustic wood? Personally, I like it everywhere. It is beautiful yet durable and adds charm and personality any room. It looks good with all colors. You will definitely get your money's worth if you purchase a rustic wood table, as it is sure to last a long time and be the perfect touch to all spaces.

Trending: Exposed Brick

Living in Chicago, there are bricks galore. Unfortunately, finding an apartment with original exposed brick wasn't as easy as you might think in a city full of old buildings. But I still love it and if I ever end up with the perfect apartment, I have a few ideas as to how I would incorporate the beautiful wall into my space.

One of the benefits of exposed brick is that you don't have to go crazy with furniture and accessories. The brick is enough visual interest that the rest of the room can be simple.

 

In the image below, the cabinets are about as simple as they come. The clean lines of the crisp white cabinets make the room feel modern, even with the old brick and obviously worn wood floors. I love the metal counters and barstools against the brick as well as the mix of silver and gold, which is very in right now. This space feels lived-in yet elegant, and I like!

In this living room, the color scheme is layered white with pops of blue and green. The brick fireplace has been painted to work with this palette and framed with an old wood mantle. Other wooden accents like the coffee and sofa tables give a rustic feel to the otherwise perfectly charming space.

More painted brick with very simple metal furniture:

The geometry of the exposed brick and plaster wall is echoed in the rug which covers part of the concrete floor. So perfect. And of course, I adore the antlers!

The high ceilings, black and white color scheme, mirrored surfaces, and tufted furniture provide luxurious elements in a space dominated by masculine brick walls.

Look how light and romantic a space can feel despite the dark brick in the next few photos:

In contrast to the light colors used in the above spaces, the following spaces successfully pair the bricks with heavy wood, whether in the form of beamed ceilings or rustic furniture.

And finally, this is my favorite room of all. It has metal, wood and white paint all in one and it's enough to make me drool!

So, what is your favorite way to use exposed brick? Do you like it painted or au-naturel? Do you prefer the industrial or romantic look? Would you play up the masculinity of the dark material or tone it down with light colors and soft textiles? Would you use antlers?! Cause I would :)

I may have gone a little picture-happy in my first post, but I can't help that 

I LOVE EXPOSED BRICK!