Basement Tour Part 2: Vintage Inspired Bar

When we were searching for our new home last Spring one of the things my husband and I both had on our wish list was a bar in the basement. It’s just something we always wanted but never had in our two previous homes, both of which were foreclosures. So when we walked through this house for the first time I can remember being practically giddy over the bright and happy bar area. Finally! We have a bar! Not only is it a good size, but it’s nestled in the corner with lots of windows and two doors with easy access to the grill on the back patio. Perfecto. As part two of the basement tour I shared a few days ago, today’s post is all about the bar. I used lots of found objects to style this area up and I even have a new reclaimed light fixture, so come on in and take a peek!

I wanted the bar area to embody the vibe of a vintage-themed restaurant. Almost every piece here is old and a thrifted find. Except for the arrow, which is from Hobby Lobby. I just spray painted both ends black, they were turquoise before, and then I nailed it on a piece of old wood. The old leather case there on the right actually belonged to my husband’s grandfather. Inside that scuffed up leather bag is a Bushnell spotting scope from 1956. Pretty cool, right? I bought the old fan at a farm sale recently for $10, the milk crate I literally found in a pile of scrap metal, the dough bowl there on the counter is super old and handmade, and that’s an old Colorado map hanging over on the wall. I’m actually really excited about how that map project turned out, I’ll be sharing that quick tutorial soon! The chairs are also another thrifted purchase, I just painted the oak seat white and distressed it slightly. They work fine, but I’m keeping my eyes open for a more rustic set of barstools.

Every good bar needs food and drinks, right? I thought this giant old window with four separate sections would be perfect for a fun little faux bar menu. I just used chalkboard paint directly on the glass like I did in this easy peasy tutorial. I actually really love this menu and I’m excited to change it up with the seasons.

How cool is this light? I found it at American Furniture Warehouse in their vintage decor section and I couldn’t wait to get home and hang it up. It’s actually really big and fits in with the vibe of our bar much better than the light that was here before. And it was so affordable! I got it on sale for $34. AFW carries a few reclaimed lights like this, you can find a similar one here.

So that’s our bar! There’s a little fridge and a few cabinets on the back side, which makes it perfect for entertaining. I want to eventually add some kind of rustic looking wood or planking to the bar itself, but for now this will do just fine. I love this area and all of the vintage goodies make it even more special. And the new light from American Furniture Warehouse is such a fun addition to this space. I’d loooove to hear your thoughts in the comments below, I seriously get so excited to see your comments come in. This little blog is such a happy spot for me and that’s all thanks to you lovely people. Really, thank you for being here! xoxo

Thanks to my fabulous friends at American Furniture Warehouse for sponsoring this post!