This is a story about a sad bar cart, laden with trinkets, looking for love. Our eyes met in Debra charity shop last weekend, and despite sporting no price tag, I brought this baby home for an absolute steel at €10. A good scrub and she was good as new. And may I say, I am pleased as punch it’s a part of our home. I feel like such a fancy grown up.
As I wrote before, I’ve had a hankering for a bar cart recently. I was so very close to giving up my charity shop search and in fact was close to buying the IKEA Raskog kitchen cart, but I wasn’t willing to part with €60 for it. As they say, patience is a virtue.
When it came to styling our new cart, I found it a bit of a challenge. When I first started, it kept looking way too feminine. It did look lovely and pretty, but that wasn’t what I was going for. I appreciate all things dainty and pink, but I can only handle a certain amount of it. I found a happy medium by making it as monochromatic as possible, while including a couple hits of red and plum to fit in with our living space. One of my favourite details – our mini skull cocktail skewers placed in a clay pigeon memento from when we went shooting years ago. All I’ll say is I am worryingly good with a rifle. To which I can probably thank our PS3.
I’ve tried getting my head around what colour our cart is. I think it’s half way between a rose gold and silver. It’s definitely not straight up gold or silver, but it’s a perfect neutral hue that compliments both gold and silver accessories.
It’s exactly what I was looking for and couldnt’ve been luckier. So much winning with this thrifted find. I can’t wait to decorate it for the different seasons and as Janine suggested, a tea cart. I have so many dainty porcelain pieces waiting to get all up on it. Keep your eyes peeled. xx A
Very spiffy!
I love the clock!
Beautifully styled!! Nice work.
I am totally in love with the skulls. Brill.
I can't get over how well it has held up. It looks brand new.
I got sooo lucky with this cart. I worked up a serious sweat cleaning this baby though. I was a hot mess. Totes worth it.
Very sophisticated!! I admire your patience too – I am just too impatient with things – when I decide I want something, I want it RIGHT NOW. Which usually leads to me getting something not quite right, rather than waiting for the perfect thing to come along… as happened for you here! I must learn a lesson from you…!
Maria xx
Eh, I am way impatient too Maria. I even surprised myself with this one though. I think it's because in the past I've done that very thing – rush and get something not 100%, and I've had to go back and get a better one a second time. "Buy right or buy twice". Very proud of myself this time!
Wow, that is just stunning. It scrubbed up so well! I love your plum colour and crossbones styling, but I will also wait with much anticipation for the tea cart version 🙂
Oh don't you worry Holly, I can't wait to style her up for tea. I'm nerding out over it already xx A
that is a brilliant find! god bless charity shops 😀 i love how you styled it and that clock is absolutely amazing! xmoira
Thank you Moira 🙂 Aren't charity shops awesome? They really are treasure troves. I find Camden Street the absolute hot spot.
It looks Stunning!! Love the colour scheme of the accessories and remind me to not cross you in a dark alley, if you are that good with a rifle 🙂 Oh I liked those pink plates in the before shot in the charity shop,they are on the other table/trolley. I am looking forward to seeing your bar trolley evolve with the seasons.
Hahahahah, we share a mind Janine. I had to stop myself from buying those very plates. I think I would have slipped a disk if I brought anything else other than the bar cart home that day. There's always another day though … xx A
You are so clever and this stuff. Can you come give me some pointers now please? x
Hmmm, maybe I could blog something about styling and key points? You're giving my ideas Kimbo. xx A