Valentina Expressions

Have you seen a bar cart in the homes of younger generations lately? I am talking about the kind of metal cart on wheels with glass shelves that a few years ago was sitting in the living room holding bottles of hard liquor and fancy drinking glasses. In affluent homes, the leather world globe on an expensive wood stand was a refined touch for hiding bottles and glasses in a study or reading room.

Today, drinking habits have changed. People gravitate towards mixed cocktails, fine wines, European sparkling wines and artisanal crafted beers made in small local brewing establishments. This change of taste also changed furniture décor arrangements for drinking and storing glasses and bar accessories. Younger generations prefer a clean, linear style instead of frills that take up space.

(Click on the photos to view them larger)

On this note, I will tell you what I designed for one of my young couple clients’ remodelling projects.
I found a well-seasoned wood travel trunk from a different era, that had been turned not only into a large coffee table but, when necessary, became a table for casual eating on the floor sitting on cushions.
The previous owner added a few convenient pull-out leaves to the trunk for extra working/serving space and divided the interior into various compartments to hide alcohol bottles, glasses and bar accessories. It had been changed into an extremely useful object with a thousand uses and even a somewhat sophisticated object. When closed it became an attractive trunk, a piece of history gone by, that paired well with the cream colour modern bookcase unit I designed and a warm interior.
I was fortunate to have found it and the client was happy.

Whether you live in a modern or traditional home décor, you can find many solutions in the least expected places that can be adapted to your taste and style. In antiques and charity shops, or ethnic and bazaar shops, you will see a world of beauty that often is not even considered in modern furniture stores. 

I am a collector of cordial glasses from different eras. I keep a ceramic elevation in plain view with some of my glasses which I rotate often for my personal pleasure.

Your home is an expression of your personality and an extension of your soul, stroke it often and make it feel good. Beauty makes life enjoyable. Ciao,
Valentina
https://valentinadesigns.com

Copyright © 2025 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved

Valentina Cirasola is an interior-fashion consultant, color therapist, author of 6 published books, a storyteller, and a longtime blogger. Her books are non-fictional practical ideas to apply in the home, fashion, cooking and travel.
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