A Luscious Home Bar on the Upper West Side

Kerri Pilchik Design, a New Jersey-based residential design studio with projects throughout the East Coast, had a major challenge on her hands— how to connect two apartments to create more spaces for entertaining and working from home while maintaining parts of the original structure. The result was clever; instead of hiding the inflexible area, she made it the focal point, building a custom bar around it. Inspired by French bistros, Kerri created a luscious home bar that transports you to Paris.

Q: Tell us a bit about this project.

A: This project involved the combination and renovation of two apartments on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. The clients purchased the one bedroom next door in order to enlarge their existing three bedroom apartment and to create more spaces for entertaining and working from home.

The new apartment was gut renovated to include a large bar in place of the original kitchen, with a full-size wine fridge to accommodate the client’s large collection of wine, a bar sink, and lots of storage. A new family room and dining area also were created, as well as an office/guest bedroom and guest bathroom. In the original apartment, the primary bathroom was enlarged and gut renovated and the bedroom redecorated. The apartments were connected by creating a doorway between the existing kitchen and the new family room, thus creating a nice flow for entertaining.

Photography by Jacob Snavely. Styling by Lucy Bamman

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View to the new apartment

Renovated guest bathroom

Q: What was your design process? Any challenges?

A: In order to fit the new bar, the original kitchen in the new apartment was demolished, the front door to the apartment was closed off, and a closet was taken out. The challenge was that the space was long and narrow and couldn't be enlarged or reconfigured. A column also had to remain, so the cabinetry had to be built around it.

I wanted to design an environment where those shortcomings would not be noticeable, so I created three sections of fabulous custom cabinetry that each could stand on their own. I also wanted there to be a focal point when looking from the family room into the bar, so I specified bistro-style shelving with brass poles and glass shelves for the section facing the family room. To balance the metal, we installed brass mesh on the upper cabinet doors above the sink. The cabinetry is custom and lacquered with Farrow & Ball's Railings, a soft black with blue undertones. We used an antiqued mirror for the backsplash and a luminous grasscloth to add even more texture and shine.

Photography by Jacob Snavely. Styling by Lucy Bamman

“I wanted a focal point when looking from the family room into the bar, so I specified bistro-style shelving with brass poles and glass shelves for the section facing the family room.“

- Kerri Pilchik

Q: Why did you choose to feature brass so prominently in this home bar?

A: I wanted the bar to be tailored but sexy, warm, and inviting. So the brass accents with lacquered cabinetry naturally fit the bill. In addition, the client loves Paris, so I used shelving made from brass poles and glass which instantly transports you to a French bistro. I also wanted the cabinetry doors to have a unique detail, so I designed them specifically around the Benson Backplate—the moldings mimic the lines of the backplate.

Photography by Jacob Snavely. Styling by Lucy Bamman

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“The client loves Paris, so I used shelving made from brass poles and glass which instantly transports you to a French bistro.“

- Kerri Pilchik

Q: Why did you choose the Cosmos Pulls and Knobs and the Benson Backplate?

A: I chose the Benson Backplate because the lines of the backplate are so beautiful, and I knew I wanted to design the doors around them. I also love their generous size. The Cosmos pulls and knobs are so weighty and of such gorgeous quality, which was needed for the full-size wine fridge and refrigerator drawers.

Photography by Jacob Snavely. Styling by Lucy Bamman