THE SIDECAR - Amber spirit, a good story and a taste of 1920s Paris. What more could you want?
I’ve nicknamed this large Art Deco inspired drinks cabinet “Sidecar”, after the gorgeous amber colours of the cocktail which mirror those in the walnut burr of this cabinet.
Although not made until the 1960s, this beautiful piece has a very definite 1930s feel to it and harks back to a time of jazz clubs, speakeasies and the Golden Era of Cocktails.
The cabinet, made from walnut, boasts the original handles, cocktail pins and lemon juice squeezer which are all still intact. The base of the cabinet has two doors, with bottle holders. When fully opened, these reveal a lovely storage space for glassware and up to 80 bottles. Meanwhile, the drop-down cantilevered front has a mirrored worktop, lighting and storage for cocktail shakers and other essentials and accessories.
Speaking of which, the story goes that the Sidecar was invented in Paris in 1922 at the end of World War I. An American army captain is celebrating victory in the bar at the Ritz. The bartender mixes him a bespoke cocktail which he enjoys so much that he decides to name it for the sidecar on his army-issue motorbike.
Fact or fiction. its key ingredients of Cognac, triple sec and lemon juice make for a deliciously smooth, sweet, sour but warming tipple.
And in the cocktail world, Sidecar actually has another meaning. It's the fabulous left over ingredients you have in your cocktail shaker when making drinks for friends. Pour it into a shot glass and enjoy it at your leisure. Cheers!
Art Deco Drinks Cabinet Features
- Made by Rivington Cabinet makers of London
- Cantilevered mirrored top section
- Bottle holders in the doors
- Ample storage suitable for large drinks collections
- Overall dimensions : H118cm x W94cm xD44cm
- Can be 'designed to order' to your specification
Art Deco Style
This style of design is well over a century old and, whilst other styles have come and gone, Art Deco has never really gone out of fashion. The bold lines, symmetry and ornamental design make it a brilliant foundation to base any room design on.
Working with an Art Deco piece of furniture is inspirational. You can either dress the rest of the room up, or dress it down. Keep things softly muted with a stormy colour palette of blues, greys and off whites, perhaps add in some luxurious fabrics for soft furnishings. Or add more art deco items, an occasional table, light fittings and geometric shaped seating.
Adding an Art Deco cocktail cabinet to a dining room or lounge will give it an instant 1920’s “Great Gatsby” feel. Beautiful, eye-catching, practical, functional, but always bang on trend.
Art Deco Drinks Cabinet - Designed to order
What I love most about my work is giving vintage pieces of furniture a new lease of life in the Art Deco style. “The Sidecar” is available as a commission, or put more simply, “designed to order”.
Working together, but guided by you and your specifications, we will transform this gorgeous cabinet into an eye-catching piece that matches you, your style, and your design theme, perfectly.
This could be as simple as restoring the beautiful burr walnut and painting the body in a single colour with a few gold highlights. Or we could also go for a complete makeover with an Art Deco inspired wallpaper or stencil.
The result will be something totally unique and individual….a piece that you will treasure for many years to come.
If you're renovating your room in the Art Deco style or simply need a fabulous centrepiece to wow your friends at parties, the Sidecar is the perfect choice.
Next Steps
Wondering what it would be like to commission a drinks cabinet ? Check out my Design and Commission Service and Contact me for a friendly chat.
If this cabinet is not quite right for you, I have another couple of cabinets waiting for a custom look, so take a look at my other Designer Drinks Cabinets.
For inspiration and pictures of previous commissions, see the attached photos or visit the Gallery