I finished my bar

[FS7]

I've posted about this more than a few times, asking frequent questions and posting some updates on progress. Here it is all finished and decorated, with the only missing item being my dartboard and light just to the left of the bar.

I added a shot of the detail on the front. After building the stud wall and installing the "backsplash," I put the top on and screwed it in from underneath. Despite being cantilevered, it was quite solid. Anyway, the stud wall got 5mm flooring underlayment, and then I used milled 2x6s (planed to 1.25") to provide spacing for the stone siding and space for the trim. This was because I was using stone siding that I already had, and given its price (about $15 per square foot) I didn't want to spend freely on it. But I had just enough to fill in this spacing in this space. I milled the 2x6s to match the thickness of the siding. This way they would overlap without a gap.

Anyhow, I used 8/4 sapele to make a large base molding. These were attached with screws to the facing studs (2x6), themselves attached to the stud wall (2x4), which were in turn fastened to both the cabinets and Tapconned into the concrete slab. So they aren't going anywhere. The vertical trim is 4/4 sapele. All profiles down there are just rounded. I used 1/2" walnut buttons to cover the screw holes. I thought briefly about exposed screws, but I couldn't find anything suitable. Technically, the stainless screws on the iron shelf brackets are exposed, and those are longer screws to attach to the studs underneath (these are dual purpose, fastening the trim as well).

There is another shot of the end of the bar, prior to me changing the pendant shades and the bulbs (too bright and blue). I milled a piece of sapele down to 1/2", letting me still have some overhang from the bar top and not awkwardly overlapping the roundover from the countertop. It covers the exposed stud wall and mates with the vertical trim on the front, and butts up against the cabinet side. Above the countertop, it's 1/2" wider to cover the end of the plywood backsplash. It looks good, minus the brad nails (I had no real way to fasten it otherwise). It's fine, I just dislike having exposed fasteners.

I might add a stereo. I do have one that I intended to use (just mount in the wall with some speakers in the ceiling). I wasn't sure if it was necessary, but I just had my mom down for Mother's Day and when I said "let's go chat at the bar" the first she asked was whether there was music. So maybe I do. She also said the lights are too low. I debated this and I am not sure. There are threaded extensions and I can easily shorten them. But it's not that different from the kitchen upstairs, and I didn't find them distracting when we were sitting there talking.

On to the next project, whatever that is.

[grwold]

That bar is beautiful! You've got a real winner, there--congratulations!

I also enjoyed the Pippin quote.

[jteneyck]

You knocked that one out of the park!  Great design and more of your impeccable work.  That Sapele just sings, too.  Fantastic.  Not sure I'd want carpet around my bar, though, but maybe your friends don't spill their beer.  

When you get the foot rail installed, I'll be down to share a pint, or maybe some bourbon! Let me know.  

John

[FS7]

You knocked that one out of the park!  Great design and more of your impeccable work.  That Sapele just sings, too.  Fantastic.  Not sure I'd want carpet around my bar, though, but maybe your friends don't spill their beer.  

When you get the foot rail installed, I'll be down to share a pint, or maybe some bourbon! Let me know.  

John

Thanks! Part of the design for the bottom (vertical trim in the center) was based on thinking I'd want a foot rail. I did find some pipe-type rails that somewhat match. I'm ultimately not sure if I will do it. I haven't missed it yet, anyway. I think people expect it, but on the rare occasions I go out to bars I couldn't tell you whether they have foot rails or not. It seems like an obvious feature, but I don't notice them.

As for the carpet, the plan was most definitely not to do carpet just behind the bar. I was going to do the entire area, and I bought enough flooring to do that. But with the swivel stools, they don't need to move much on the carpet, so that made it a little easier. In any case, I was planning on doing the entire roughly 14' square area. Behind the bar (as in behind your back if you were sitting at the long side), there is an aquarium. Moving an aquarium is a pretty stressful task, and it's tough even if you drain most of the water and try to minimally disturb the fish. So I won't say I won't do it because I have the material and I did plan to. But it will probably wait a little bit.

Yeah, friends spilling beer will probably hasten that decision. Knock on wood, though, I don't think any adults have spilled beer in my house. (My daughter just knocked over a post-lawnmowing can yesterday, though.)

[Cabinet Monkey]

Nice work on the bar , and nice bourbon assortment. Especially given that you live in VA.

[FS7]

Nice work on the bar , and nice bourbon assortment. Especially given that you live in VA.

Yeah, that's another story entirely.

Some of it comes from CO and some of it comes from PA. Getting rare bourbons in VA is nearly impossible.

[Philip1231]

Outstanding! And I'll have a double Buffalo Trace: and keep them coming.

[Randy C]

That’s so purty it almost makes me sad that I don’t drink.

[jteneyck]

Yeah, that's another story entirely.

Some of it comes from CO and some of it comes from PA. Getting rare bourbons in VA is nearly impossible.

If you haven't tried Breckenridge bourbon, I recommend you give it try.  Smoother than Makers Mark or Michter's.

[FS7]

If you haven't tried Breckenridge bourbon, I recommend you give it try.  Smoother than Makers Mark or Michter's.

You definitely mentioned this before, and I had said that I used to get it somewhat regularly when it wasn't available here but only in CO. Now it's here, and I don't get it as much for some reason.

I actually picked up a bottle of the High Proof Distiller's Blend today, so I'll see how that is.