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Setting Up A “Help Yourself” Bar

October 25, 2022
These days, everyone seems to be gravitating towards an open floor plan concept. And, let’s be honest, it's no wonder. When everyone is together in one space, it creates an inclusive vibe … for almost every occasion.

Our kitchen opens to both our dining room and living rooms, so it has to work really well in this regard. We don’t have a lot of space to dedicate to a wet bar area, so we revamped a corner of our kitchen by adding different cabinet doors, and set up a small portion of the counter where friends and family can whip up their favorite cocktails. It’s a popular spot!

Here’s a few simple steps to create a space in your kitchen that will feel intentional for entertaining guests.
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1) Cabinetry

To set up a “help yourself” bar, consider changing up the cabinetry style, whether you choose open shelving or a different door style like we did. We added brass grilles to the door fronts instead of glass to create something different, and to display beautiful glass and barware. The idea is to make this spot feel different than the rest — a little more special — and designate the area as a spot for everyone to check out!

2) Tray on Countertop to Hold Supplies

I’m a firm believer that if you put things out for guests to easily access them, it creates a more casual, “help yourself” kind of mentality. We always leave liquor and mixers out for friends so they can make their own concoctions, and if we are serving our favorite cocktail, we leave all the fixings in a pitcher out on the counter for refills. 

 

3) Invest in Good Barware

Bar Essentials:

  1. Serving a cocktail in a beautiful glass makes all the difference. Don’t just use your everyday glasses! Make it special and have glasses for all different types of drinks. I highly recommend having double old fashioned glasses, high balls, champagne coupes, martini glasses, stemless and stemmed wine glasses. 
  2. A pretty ice bucket is key. If you are like us and don’t have room for an icemaker in your kitchen, we recommend having a beautiful bucket full of ice for easy access when making cocktails. 
  3. A sleek cocktail shaker is essential … we use ours all the time!

Hope this helps you make a special spot in your kitchen or dining room where you can have all the essentials you need for creating cocktails and imbibing with family and friends!

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Today on the blog at 3pm PST:

Not everything needs to be a splurge... but knowing where to invest can make all the difference. One thing we always try to strive in every project is that balance between 💛

investment worthy and budget friendly... Those pieces that deserve the extra moolah and the ones where a thoughtful, affordable find works just as well.

This is just a quick look at some of our go-to spend vs. save moments. We always recommend investing where it counts long-term, like craftsmanship and comfort (cue the pieces that are going to get the most use such as sofas and dining tables) and saving on things you can easily upgrade or swap down the road. That mix is what creates a space that feels layered, lived-in, and uniquely yours.

Later this week, we’re sharing part 2, including actual brands we trust for saving and some that are totally worth the splurge, plus shoppable picks we’d recommend again and again.

33 2
Open post by clouz_houz with ID 17846817066546713
Today on the blog at 3pm PST: Not everything needs to be a splurge... but knowing where to invest can make all the difference. One thing we always try to strive in every project is that balance between 💛 investment worthy and budget friendly... Those pieces that deserve the extra moolah and the ones where a thoughtful, affordable find works just as well. This is just a quick look at some of our go-to spend vs. save moments. We always recommend investing where it counts long-term, like craftsmanship and comfort (cue the pieces that are going to get the most use such as sofas and dining tables) and saving on things you can easily upgrade or swap down the road. That mix is what creates a space that feels layered, lived-in, and uniquely yours. Later this week, we’re sharing part 2, including actual brands we trust for saving and some that are totally worth the splurge, plus shoppable picks we’d recommend again and again.

Last week, our entire family, 15 of us, came together in Hawaii to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday.

It was the first time in over eight years that we’ve all spent more than a single day together.

When we moved to Bend, we needed space, physically and emotionally. We’d been through some big, life-altering family challenges, and even though we used to do everything together, distance felt necessary. At the time, I told myself, It’s just a 3.5-hour drive, but life has a way of making visits harder than they should be. And sometimes… I just didn’t want to make the drive.

But last week? Those old reasons for space started to fade. We laughed until our cheeks hurt, played pickleball in the Hawaiian sun, cooked meals together, stayed up late playing cards, and told the same old stories that somehow never get old.

The highlight for me was watching my dad, absolutely beaming. Laughing, teasing his grandkids, looking around at his family with pride. His joy is something I will hold onto forever.

Family isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s messy, complicated, and hard to navigate. But being together almost always feels better than being apart.

So take the trip. Try the new thing, even at 80. Watch the sunset together. Share the wine and the stories. Make the memories you’ll carry long after the bags are unpacked.

Mom and Dad, thank you for showing us what family really means, and for giving us this week we’ll carry for the rest of our lives.

And because there’s more to this story than I can fit here, I’m sharing a deeper, more personal reflection in Sunday’s subscriber email. Please tell me you’re subscribed—you won’t want to miss it. 🤍

243 29
Open post by clouz_houz with ID 18049741277540838
Last week, our entire family, 15 of us, came together in Hawaii to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday.
 It was the first time in over eight years that we’ve all spent more than a single day together. When we moved to Bend, we needed space, physically and emotionally. We’d been through some big, life-altering family challenges, and even though we used to do everything together, distance felt necessary. At the time, I told myself, It’s just a 3.5-hour drive, but life has a way of making visits harder than they should be. And sometimes… I just didn’t want to make the drive. But last week? Those old reasons for space started to fade. We laughed until our cheeks hurt, played pickleball in the Hawaiian sun, cooked meals together, stayed up late playing cards, and told the same old stories that somehow never get old. The highlight for me was watching my dad, absolutely beaming. Laughing, teasing his grandkids, looking around at his family with pride. His joy is something I will hold onto forever. Family isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s messy, complicated, and hard to navigate. But being together almost always feels better than being apart. So take the trip. Try the new thing, even at 80. Watch the sunset together. Share the wine and the stories. Make the memories you’ll carry long after the bags are unpacked. Mom and Dad, thank you for showing us what family really means, and for giving us this week we’ll carry for the rest of our lives. And because there’s more to this story than I can fit here, I’m sharing a deeper, more personal reflection in Sunday’s subscriber email. Please tell me you’re subscribed—you won’t want to miss it. 🤍

Café curtains are the move when you want to make a guest room feel instantly cozier and charming... Without doing a full refresh.

We had these custom made through @pepperhome and couldn’t recommend them more. The process is super clear (even when it comes to measuring!), and the quality is so good.

Here are the exact details we used for ours:
• Fabric: Flour
• Style: Pinch Pleat
• Width per panel: 25”
• Placement: Double paneling to open fully on each side of the window

It’s a small touch that makes a big difference, especially in guest spaces where you want softness and privacy without losing light.

Also works beautifully in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms... Or any space that needs some personality or even to hide open storage like we did in our pantry!!

Save this post for your next window moment.

27 2
Open post by clouz_houz with ID 17857122432432106
Café curtains are the move when you want to make a guest room feel instantly cozier and charming... Without doing a full refresh. We had these custom made through @pepperhome and couldn’t recommend them more. The process is super clear (even when it comes to measuring!), and the quality is so good. Here are the exact details we used for ours: • Fabric: Flour • Style: Pinch Pleat • Width per panel: 25” • Placement: Double paneling to open fully on each side of the window It’s a small touch that makes a big difference, especially in guest spaces where you want softness and privacy without losing light. Also works beautifully in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms... Or any space that needs some personality or even to hide open storage like we did in our pantry!! Save this post for your next window moment.
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115 NW Oregon Ave Suite 26,
Bend, OR 97703, US

(503)422-5682