1. Bar: Want to build your own custom bar? Here's how we did it. David was inspired by a picture he saw online of a basement bar with a finished wood slab top.
We ordered a black walnut slab from Keim Lumber online for $275 + $150 shipping. We wanted it to be wide enough to fit a dinner plate, and long enough to run the length of the couch. We found one that is 91" long, 18" wide and 1.75" thick. This baby weighs a ton. It came unfinished, and David put a couple of layers of polyurethane on it.
Next, he took it to Hayes Aluminum in Chapin, S.C., to make the base. We picked a stain color called Oil Rubbed Bronze by Arrow Hawk Coatings and a few weeks later the bar was ready. I think it turned out great!
2. Stools: First comes the bar, then comes the bar stools. David found these distressed stools at Southeastern Salvage Home Emporium on Garner's Ferry Road in Columbia. These stools are super sturdy and perfectly rustic.
3. Art: What is an outdoor living area without some art by Columbia's own Chicken Man? Not much, I tell you :) For Christmas, I surprised my husband with three pieces of original artwork by Ernest Lee. I think they add the right amount of color and whimsy to the space.
4. Coffee table: David built this coffee table and I painted and sanded it around the edges (and other random spots) to give it that distressed look. You can easily do this yourself. No need to buy anything fancy for outdoor entertaining.
5. Accessories:
I bought a mirror at a craft store to complete the wreath I scored at an antique store.
I found this birdhouse on the clearance aisle of Hobby Lobby and painted turquoise over the cherry pattern.
A neighbor gave me the "Live Love Lake" art for Christmas. Perfect! I think I need to spray paint the metal tray, but what color??
A large iron piece fills this space and highlights the brick.
Whenever we have another warm and sunny day perhaps I will be motivated to paint the second half of the sectional. Eventually, I will post the finished project. Bring on spring time!!!
