Question for the commercial builders.

Michelle · Jan 02, 2007 9:14 pm

I’m in the middle of a total makeover of a really rundown old pub.
Big dollars are involved in this project. I have everything selected right down to the furniture.

BUT the wonderful architect (hmmm) Has some how talked the owners out of the stack stone bar front I had
designed with vertical timber inlays. They now want an all timber bar front.

I’m struggling with this concept as I consider that a pretty average look, compared to what is available in products now days. There will be a solid timber bar top, with 1.5mt area of timber flooring to the carpet.
I think this is too much timber, and won’t look unique in design.

But I have to give my clients what they want.

Question….. Has anyone done or seen anything unique in timber bar fronts to give me an idea to work with? To get me going on this. Every timber bar front I’ve seen has been nothing special; I want something different, something that will give the wow factor!!!!

I am really struggling to come up with a look in timber.
I don’t want to leave it up to the architect…. !!

I know…I’m supposed to be a designer, BUT there are some designs I just don’t want to do!!!

HELP! :oops:

NeilD · Jan 02, 2007 9:37 pm

Just a thought Michelle. This may not tie in with the theme, or the look you are trying to achieve but....

I built a bar for a friend a while ago, using Jarrah, icluding the bar top. But a panel on each side of the three sided bar was of ripple iron. Not sure if you're familiar with it but it's corrugated iron with quite small corrugations. I don't have a pic of the bar but I do have pics of a dressing screen I made using the same material. The contrast between the red of the jarrah and the silver colour of the iron was quite impressive. ...sort of a colonial look. I'll send the pics if you think it's worth a look.

Michelle · Jan 03, 2007 9:09 am

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your reply. The product you used is called Mini Orb.
I’ve used it a lot in the past. Nice idea, but still not where I want to go.

After a sleepless night giving it thought, I think I have come up with a couple of really neat ideas.
So I will work on those tonight. See what I can do.

Hope you had a good New Year!! And thanks for your interest.

Dukekamaya · Jan 03, 2007 10:12 am

hey Michelle, don't knock 'all' timber :wink:

The kitchen I'm building is actually all timber with timber framed mini-orb doors

P.S. its not Nerriga pub is it?

Michelle · Jan 03, 2007 7:09 pm

Hey Luke, don’t get me wrong I love timber….. I am already using a fair bit of it through my design in the hotel. My house is full of it, (timber I mean).

I’ve already done the timber top and metal bar front at Bomaderry Hotel, when I did Rosco's reno.
I never repeat my designs!! Not good practice.

No Not Nerriga ….why are they doing a reno?? Mine is in Wollongong.

But I’m already working on a pretty upmarket concept. I’ll post a photo when its built…don’t hold your breath it’s been a slow starter. I would imagine a full years worth of work for the builder.
Big project.

Thanks for your reply.

PS.. I’ve seen kitchen’s done like the one you are doing … They look great!!!

Dukekamaya · Jan 03, 2007 8:01 pm

Nerriga pub was sold not long ago, I thought maybe it was the new owner or something.
The only thing for the kitchen we haven't even looked at yet is handles - not fun

Michelle · Jan 04, 2007 9:47 am

Luke,

Why don’t you do a push door set up. Then you won’t need handles…
It could look at bit busy once you add the handles.
That’s a lot of different materials on one door?????

Have fun.

Dukekamaya · Jan 04, 2007 6:38 pm

Theres only two materials on the door not including the handles

Handles will be small and simple anyway