There's a phenomenon that happens when you start to love something: you start to become blind to it. You've probably heard of the phrase used when it comes to fashion or beauty trends: 'blush blindness', 'eyebrow blindness,' 'baggy blindness'. But what I am guilty of relates to my interiors – 'vintage blindness'.
I have become so obsessed with hunting through thrift shops and antique stores to find quirky pieces that will add character to my rooms, that I am not sure whether my love for decorating with vintage has gone too far. I brought home an old ceramic olive jar last week which, once in my home, gave more kitsch Grandma's kitchen than chic, rustic Mediterranean retreat.
My recent search has been for a bar cart for my small kitchen. I want the perfect piece that's going to add character, texture, and storage, because when space is tight, everything you bring into it needs to work hard. When I saw this bar cart, not in the depths of a second-hand store, but on Home Depot (I was equally surprised), it spoke to me. This was the quirky, characterful, textured piece I was after.
I sent it straight to our editor to sense-check it wasn't my vintage blindness – that this was actually a great piece at a great price.. She agreed, so I ordered it.
I have a few vintage rattan pieces in my home that are similar in style. This bar cart reminds me of a couple of rattan peacock chairs I picked up last summer. And the advantage of buying new sometimes is the addition of modern features, in this case, the wheels. You can easily move this bar cart around your kitchen or dining room. I also found this exact bar cart on other stores for over $200. And not on sale, on some sites it was priced up to $454.99.
I think a bar cart is one of the most versatile pieces you can add to a kitchen, because it doesn't have to act as its namesake, just see it as a compact, portable, chic piece of furniture that's going to add extra kitchen storage and surface space.
I intend to use the top section to display drinks bottles and my nicest glassware, but the bottom section will be for more practical storage of my larger plates and platters that I really struggle to fit into my shallow cabinets.
On the Home Depot site, there's also an image of this used as a coffee station, with a coffee machine on top and the accessories beneath. This is a great idea in any home, but if you are heading off to college this year, a rolling cart to create your own coffee shop is top of my list for recommendations, and this one would add some style to your dorm room too.
Since a bar cart has been on my wishlist for a while, I have some other recommendations that almost came home with me, just in case my rattan pick is a little too quirky...
This bar cart nearly made it into my basket. It's very similar to more expensive designs I have seen, and reviewers agree, comparing it to pricier bar carts they almost ordered.
Crafted from solid kiln-dried acacia wood this is a quality timeless piece. There's a slight mid-century modern feel to the shape, which I always like in a bar cart, but it's simple enough to work with any style.
This really affordable bar cart has almost 500 rave reviews. 'Great size for small spaces, but still holds everything I need. Super convenient!' says one and this slimline design, narrow but tall, would be ideal for more compact rooms.
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