All posts by Beth Dotolo

Building the Perfect Home Bar: The Glassware & Bar Tools

Erika Bretchel

We’ve reviewed how to find the perfect bar setup for your home and I helped you stock your bar with essentials. Now, it’s time to review the glassware, barware, and gadgets needed to make your bar the perfect bar for you.

Like I said in my previous posts, there’s no right bar or wrong bar. It’s all about the perfect bar for your needs. Review the types of drinks you like to make and buy the glasses and tools you need to make those drinks. Once you get it your bar started you can add to it as you discover more drinks. Here is my essential barware…

 

The Tools

modern barware, modern shaker, modern jigger, stark juicer, modern juicer, brass bottle opener, cool bottle opener, modern bottle opener

The Bar Tool Shopping List:

Blender
Shaker (Nambe Shaker pictured)
Bar Spoon
Jigger (Double Jigger pictured)
Ice Bucket
Strainer
Juicer (Stark Juicer pictured)
Muddler
Bottle Opener (Fort Standard pictured)
Corkscrew

 

The Glassware

modern champagne flute, modern glassware, high and low ball glasses, great glassware, modern wine glasses, cool martini glass, gorgeous martini glass

The Glassware Shopping List:

Highball (Tour Glasses pictured)
Lowball (Tour Glasses pictured)
Champagne Flute (Inside Out pictured)
White Wine Glass (Arles Crystal pictured)
Red Wine Glass (Arles Crystal pictured)
Cordial Glasses
Shot Glass
Martini Glass (Eva Collection pictured)
Pilsner

Now that you’ve built your perfect bar… Let’s make some cocktails! Stay tuned. Since I’ve been trying my hand at some new cocktails I’ve learned a few tricks & cocktails that I’m dying to share.

Featured photo via Glitter Guide of Small Shop Studio

Friday’s Splendid Links

I don’t know about you, but I’m doing my happy dance… It’s Friday, people! This weekend I plan on taking it easy and just flying by the seat of my pants. I’ve been collecting some links for my weekend and for yours…

 

Around The Web

 

The perfect easy Sunday morning brunch.

Start layering with this to-die-for scarf.

Pour a cocktail on Sunday night when Homeland, Dexter, & Revenge return to tv!

Make pumpkin seeds to set off the fall season!

Spice up your spice jar with this hammered brass spice spoon.

 

PULP THIS WEEK

 

Carolina shared her fool-proof gift idea.

The series on Building the Perfect Home Bar continued.

I shared some snapshots from last weekend’s Portland road trip.

Corinne shared a little something for mom & baby.

We’ve been pinning like crazy.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Original image via eli-sabeth & designed for Hello, Splendor. 

Postcards from Portland…

I just had to pop in to share some snapshots from my Instagram of my quick trip to Portland last weekend. From Seattle it’s only a three-hour drive, so when Kevin’s cousin Vinny and his wife, Sarah, told us they were in town for Bon Appetit Feast Portland, we just had to make the drive down. We stayed at the Ace Hotel, which was hipster heaven and instagram gold! Since Vinny is a celebrity chef (you must check out Animal and Son of a Gun in LA!), we ate our way through the town and got an insiders view of what it is to be in the restaurant biz. It was a pretty cool experience. But, the best part of it all was getting to see two close cousins bond as adults over food and parenting. Gotta love family…

Looking forward to another trip down to Portland to explore the city… Since moving to Seattle, Portland is totally the new Austin!

Happy hump day! xx

Building The Perfect Home Bar: The Spirits

I’ve been covering the topic of building the perfect home bar for a couple of weeks now. First we selected the foundation, now we’ve got to get the spirits. I’ve done lots of research on exactly what spirits a proper home bar should have, and mostly you’ll get the same results: Go out and buy a ton of booze! However, I’ve come to the conclusion that you should buy for the drinks you like and you should build slowly and let your bar grow.

I found that my approach to building the perfect bar, was similar to how we approach designing your home. A good bar should be curated to your taste. It shouldn’t be a boxed up version of what you think you should be drinking. Buy for what you like and what you’ll use. Oh, and make it stylish (we can’t forget that)…

So, I’ve decided to share my picks for my perfect home bar. I don’t love fruity or creamy drinks that are heavy on sugar. I prefer clean but complex cocktails that favor a citrus palette. I generally like clear liquor cocktails or a whiskey/bourbon cocktail, but that doesn’t mean I won’t whip up a hot rum or brandy drink on a brisk fall night. Based on my preferences, here’s how I built my bar:

THE SPIRITS

 

The Spirits Shopping List:

Vodka (Crystal Head Vodka pictured)

Gin

Bourbon Whiskey (Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey pictured)

Scotch Whiskey

Rum

Brandy

Tequila

Elderflower Liqueur (St Germain pictured)

Sweet Vermouth

Campari (Campari pictured)

 
 

THE MIXERS

The Mixers Shopping List:

Sparkling Water (Seagram’s pictured)

Club Soda

Champagne or Prosecco

Bitters (Angostura Bitters pictured)

Simple Syrup

Agave Nectar (Nature’s Agave pictured)

Grapefruit Concentrate

Flavored Soda (Dry Soda pictured)

Ginger Ale

Vanilla Extract

White Wine

 
 

THE GARNISHES

The Garnish Shopping List:

Lemons

Limes

Fresh Mint

Fresh Basil

Sea Salt

Pepper

Olives

Fresh Lavender

 

Like I said, don’t empty your pocketbook building your bar all at once! Decide what you like to drink, build a list from there, and build slow.

Coming up, I’ll help you outfit your bar with some modern barware & tools. Until then…

Cheers!

Featured image via Bo Bedre

Friday’s Splendid Links

Happy Friday, friends! Get your weekend started off right with some fun links to keep you busy this autumn weekend. And, catch up on what you might have missed in Pulp’s world this week…

ELSEWHERE

 

This goop tee is perfect for fashionable and relaxing weekend style.

Watch a good movie and pop up a sweet treat for yourself. After all, you deserve it!

Make an inspirational iPhone wallpaper using your images with the Phoster app.

Get that ‘Honey Do’ list in writing, once and for all.

Stock up on chic & affordable hostess gifts for all the dinner parties you’ll attend this fall.

 

PULP THIS WEEK

 

Snapshots from my life lately.

Building the foundation for the perfect home cocktail bar.

Fall closet inspiration as two popular fashion bloggers share their fave picks!

Carolina shares stylish pet products for your pooch.

Get daily design inspiration from @pulpdesigns on instagram.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Image via ffffound

Building The Perfect Home Bar: The Foundation

Bar cart, bar tray, bar furniture, modern bar cart, how to build a bar at home, designing you bar at home

When building the perfect cocktail area at home, you first have to start with the foundation. And, when attempting any home design project, you have to ask yourself some questions:

How much space do I have? How many different types of cocktails do I plan to make? Where do I plan to drink, and do I want my bar to be portable? 

These are all questions that will help you determine the perfect bar foundation for you. Some of us are short on counterspace, and may need a portable bar cart or furniture piece. Some of us may not have any space for new furniture, but can make space for the bar on a kitchen countertop. Some of you may want portability, and opt for a bar cart or a tray that you can convert by using a butler stand. Whichever of those people you may be, there are lots of great options out there once you know what you’re looking for.

 

SHOP THE LOOK

 

Clockwise: Arteriors Bar Cabinet: email for ordering info // West Elm Trays: White, Black, Brown // West Elm: Polished Nickel Butler Stand // Arteriors Brass & Glass Barcart: email for ordering info

 

Up next are the spirits, the tools, and the barware… I’ll help you build the basics so that you’re well on your way to entertaining bliss through the holidays.

Cheers!

postcards from Seattle…

If you’d believe it, Summer is still alive and well in Seattle. Sunny and in the 80’s! In fact, it hasn’t rained in Seattle in around 50 days! Who’d have guessed that global warming would put Seattle at it’s sweet spot? With all this great weather, when not designing and pounding the digital pavement, I’ve been getting some good quality time in with my family outdoors and in. Now that the little guy is in school full-time, I’ve been enjoying every second I get with him. Here are a few snapshots from my life lately…

Hope life is great wherever you are… Happy Monday!

All photos via @bethdotolo on Instagram.

 

Hotel-Style Bedding: The Perfect Pop

In case you haven’t noticed, Carolina is pretty opinionated. And, since she’s been a luxury & boutique hotel interior designer for over a decade, she has a pretty clear opinion about bedding. And, that opinion has been deeply engrained in me…

 

Your bed sheets should be… White.

 

Of course, I don’t always listen to Carolina (and you don’t have to either). But, she’s right on this one. White sheets just feel like you’re escaping to a hotel for the night. And, they’re much easier to clean. Add color and texture in layers, but the foundation that you lay on should be… White.

But, my only issue is that sometimes you just want a little color. Just a touch? (Can you tell I’m looking to Carolina for approval?)

I recently found the perfect bedding from Peacock Alley that satisfies my desire for hotel-style bedding and my need for little pop of color. Give Peacock Alley a spin…

Boutique Sheeting Collection // Color By Numbers

Building The Perfect Home Bar: What’s Your Drink?

With the fall season arriving, here in Seattle, it’s starting to hit me that the rainy season is also upon us! And, with that, we’ll be forced indoors a bit more and want to warm our cockles with a nice cocktail.

I’m looking to turn my love for cocktails into an art… Instead of calling me a ‘home drunk’, I’d rather be referred to as an ‘aspiring mixologist’. I’ve been trying lots of new drinks and cocktails here at home and having fun taking classics and putting my own spin on them.

And, as such, I’m looking to build the perfect bar here at home. I’m starting a series where I’ll pull together a list of some must-have spirits, as well as tools & wares.

But, before I start, I want to ask you all a question that’s essential in building the perfect bar…

 

What’s your drink of choice??

 

 

Image via The Styled Life

A Final Look: PULP’s DIFFA Tablescape

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, Donna Karan Lennox, Singing Bowl

This weekend the DIFFA Glam tablescape events came to a close! Lots of money was raised for fight against AIDS and we were so proud to be a part. We wanted to pop in and share the final photos with you and give thanks to our friends who pitched in by sending or sharing their wares with us….

The beta fish were, by far, our most popular guests! But, we have to tell you about all the other great details. This tablescape was designed by Pulp Design Studios for a brand partnership with W Hotels Seattle and their Trace Restaurant, along with Neiman Marcus and Masins Fine Furniture. Our design objective was to embody the modern style of the W Seattle in the elegant stylings of Masins and Neiman Marcus. Not an easy task with varying aesthetics! But, we managed to blend the styles splendidly.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture

The place cards were a fun touch as a nod to Seattle musicians. Some of our honorary place cards guests included Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Dave Matthews, and of course Sir Mix-A-Lot, and were inspired by the music corner of the W Hotel’s Living Room Lounge here in Seattle.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture

The table, chairs, credenza, and rug from Masins Furniture were a great foundation for the design. This chic and elegant Italian line is exquisite with a finish that is unmatched. And, the modern orange Capellini Ribbon stools were taken straight from the W Living Room. They were a fun modern touch to our table.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, Donna Karan, Lennox, Singing Bowl

Our plate ware and vases were all from Neiman Marcus. Their Donna Karan Home line was a great option to add a modern, yet elegant, touch to our tabletop.

And, that gorgeous table runner was created by our friends, drygoods design, who also happen to have a super fun online fabric shop!

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, Donna Karan, Lennox, McKenzie Powell Floral

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design

All of our florals were created by Mckenzie Powell Florals. She was just stellar! Her florals were gorgeous and they really took this table to the next level. As you know, flower arrangements can make or break a look. And, her’s really helped to make this table sing.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

How can you not love this pillow by Aphrochic?! We love the entire Aphrochic line and just had to find a way to incorporate part of her style into our tablescape creation. It just added another level and a huge amount of color and pattern to our space.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

One major challenge we came up against was that our table was moved to a different location after it was designed. We had originally intended on installing a huge gorgeous wallcoverving mural to add a ton of color and pattern. Unfortunately, our new spot already had wallpaper installed. So, much like any design project, when a variable like this comes up we must adapt. We instead created framed art from our JF Fabrics Wallcovering (courtesy of Stacy Coulter and Associates) that wowed all the guests!

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

We are so thankful to everyone who participated and helped us bring this table to life. The event was stellar, thanks to Masins Furniture, and the event raised a ton of money.

And, we have to give an extra special thank you to Leslie Carothers (you may know her as @tkpleslie on Twitter) and John Stevens for bringing us into this event and intoducing us to Dave Masin and Masins Fine Furniture. You are all rockstars!

What a way to make a big bang in Seattle!

If you missed Beth’s television appearance on NBC’s New Day, watch it here.