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The Challenge
TYME Furniture Studio was asked to go beyond the tested and true with this project. The client wanted a bar that would be functional for entertaining and also leave a lasting impression for guests by exhibiting a striking design, all within a limited allotment of space.
The Solution: Design & Techniques
The Bartlett Bar is composed of a back wall unit with inset shelving for bar storage and flat screen TV. A custom curved counter wraps from the back, around the side, and to the front for stool seating. The bartender actually steps down behind the bar for serving – the recessed floor allows for additional bar storage which actually helps to maintain the integrity of the line of the counter by keeping bottles and glasses out of sight.
Experimental Design & Engineering
The Bartlett Bar was formed from a conceptual sketch that was unlike anything TYME had created before. From a pattern of the curve depicted in the sketch, the shape of the bar was translated into a Styrofoam form for use in the vacuum press. Thin layers of bending plywood were pressed together on the form. This material maintains its pressed shape because the cured glue becomes rigid between the layers. The face veneer is then matched and pressed to the formed plywood. In this case, TYME applied crotch mahogany veneer.
After the front of the bar was formed, the back cabinets and the top were formed from the original pattern. Curved doors were made using Styrofoam forms in the same way the front was made. The bar top was made from MDF board and coated with black automotive paint and a clear coat.