Vintage Oak Cocktail Cabinet with Art Nouveau-Inspired Detailing
A little bit of history, a little bit of glamour, and somewhere rather special to keep the drinks!
This beautiful vintage oak cabinet has been completely reimagined as a one-of-a-kind cocktail cabinet, combining its original character with a rather glamorous new purpose.
Believed to date from the early 20th century, possibly the 1920s or 1930s, the cabinet was most likely originally intended for household storage, perhaps as a linen cupboard or bedroom cabinet.
What first caught my eye was the extraordinary figured oak grain and the unusual floral carving across the two upper doors. The flowing botanical decoration has a lovely Art Nouveau influence, while the cabinet’s more structured design hints at the changing furniture styles of the early 20th century.
I’ve carefully retained and refinished the original oak, allowing that wonderful grain to remain the star of the show. The surrounding framework and original wooden handles have been painted in a deep jet black, creating a striking contrast and giving the cabinet a more contemporary feel.
But open those doors and there’s a little surprise waiting inside!
The upper cupboard has been transformed into a glamorous cocktail bar, complete with a mirrored back and base, integrated lighting and a rich copper and black decorative interior.
One of my favourite details is the interior pattern. I’ve taken the original floral carving from the cabinet doors and recreated the design in copper and black, bringing a little of the cabinet’s history inside. It’s a lovely connection between the original craftsmanship and its new purpose.
Below the bar are three generous drawers, each with its own purpose.
The upper drawer is lined in sumptuous copper velvet, providing useful storage for cocktail accessories, napkins and entertaining essentials.
The two lower drawers have been specially adapted with bespoke bottle compartments, also lined in copper velvet. Each drawer accommodates approximately six bottles laid horizontally, providing storage for up to twelve suitable bottles in total.
The combination of beautifully figured oak, dramatic black, copper detailing, mirrors and velvet gives this piece a wonderful sense of old-fashioned glamour, without losing the character that made it special in the first place.
Perfect for a living room, dining room or entertaining space, it’s a statement piece that looks just as lovely closed as it does open.
A genuine one-off, thoughtfully refinished and reimagined by Colour Me KT.
Dimensions
- Height: 125 cm
- Width: 84 cm
- Depth: 47 cm
Price: £950
