Home & Garden Blog » Barware

Top 5 Things to Do With a Finished Basement

brock — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:31:07 +0000

My house is so old that my basement looks like a dilapidated bunker from World War II. I am pretty sure that I could find Civil War bullets and maybe even a few soldiers if I did enough digging, but that doesn’t keep me from dreaming about the day when I have a beautiful finished basement of my own.

There are many worries when it comes to finished basements, from water and moisture to mold and mildew, but the basement is also the perfect place for the man-cave or mom’s little hideaway. Here are some of my best ideas of what you can do with a finished basement.

1. The Bar: Every man dreams of having his own mahogany bar, complete with beer taps and those Tom Cruise “Cocktail” moves. You name it something cool like the Vegas Hideaway or The Gilded Hare and have your friends come over for drinks. People start expecting more drinks, so you end up buying books on mixology and become an expert on everything from exotic beers to using egg whites.

2. Craft/Tool Area: If you have children, then you know it can be difficult to have any kind of hobby in the main area of the house, because they will inevitably get into it. If you are into woodcarving, beading or other crafts, then a finished basement is perfect. You can keep the door locked so the children can’t get it and then enjoy an hour or two to go down and enjoy your hobby while your significant other takes care of the children.

3. Play Area: Many basements are basically one large room, and these can be perfect for play areas for your older children. You can put large items in there, such as a makeshift stage for plays or bins of costumes for dress-up. This keeps toys from getting spread about the house, but I would recommend that there be an adult to supervise whenever the children are down there. If you have limited space in your home, then a basement play area can save you a lot of cleaning effort, and you don’t have an main floor toy room.

4. Home Theater Arena: The worst part about having the main living room as the home theater area is that there is always so much going on. People come over, and the living room is where they go. The kids want to play X-box. The wife wants to watch “Steel Magnolias” … again. Or worse, you start to watch, and they ask you to turn it down. With its concrete walls, the basement is great for acoustics, and you can sit in relative peace and quiet as the rest of the world goes on above you.

5. The Game Room: We have all seen the basements with the pool tables, poker tables and other gaming implements in television, movies and even some relatives’ houses, and there is a reason for that. With such a large area, you can place many large gaming items, like tables and pinball machines, without having it look cluttered. It can be an area for kids or adults and provides the privacy to really concentrate on killing the bad guy.

Basements can be anything you want, from an extra bedroom to a home gym, and should be utilized in some way, especially if it is finished. Too many people forget about the basement and focus on decorating and renovating their main floors, but there is a whole area of the home not being considered.

Wet Bars: The Latest Kitchen Setup Craze

brock — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:27:07 +0000

Wet bars are becoming a standard part of modern housing and are no longer banished to the basement with the foosball table and pictures of dogs playing poker. They’re popping up in the kitchen and occasionally even the living room.

The main difference between a wet bar and a dry bar is that a wet bar has water hookup and a sink apparatus, so you can wash your glasses. It’s basically a mini kitchenette with a boatload of booze. There isn’t a red-blooded man on the planet who hasn’t at least thought about putting a bar in his home.

Bars were once thought of as the man’s haven, where he and the buddies would congregate and drink beer after beer. But with entertaining groups becoming more popular, they are leaving the basement and entering the main home.

When building a wet bar, you have to take two main issues into consideration: water and power. You will need a hookup to the water system for the sink, but if you plan on having any kind of appliance, such as a dishwasher or other electrical appliance, you’ll need to factor in the load on the fuses.

Many budding bar owners were full of pride when they first used their bar, but that changed to despair when the fuse blew because of the neon beer signs. It’s best to contact an electrician to help with this, because you need someone who understands how much electricity your fuses can handle. Also, you are mixing a new water supply with a new electrical system, and that spells disaster for a do-it-yourselfer.

The functionality for a wet bar has changed, as well. In many areas, it’s used as a secondary kitchenette. If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving party, then odds are that your main sink and the bar sink will be used for dish washing.

For those who are perhaps a little ashamed of having a wet bar or don’t want the general public to see it, they can be built into a recessed area of the kitchen or covered by false cabinets. I have seen many types of wet bars in people’s homes, from the grandiose to the Do I really want a drink from that? And it is definitely worth putting a little effort into planning and development.

A wet bar is far more than a sink and few bar stools… oh yeah… and the beer, too.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/nancyhugo/2528045485

Do it Yourself: V-Day Cocktail Recipes

colleen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:07:01 +0000

Want to make a cocktail this Valentine’s Day that’s sure to make a splash? Try a spicy new cocktail to make it a memorable night. Cocktails are all about two things: the right liquor for you and your companion’s tastes and tolerances, and the right presentation. Maybe you’ll want an Agave Kiss,
if you like tequila, creamy drinks, and raspberries. Or maybe a little Besame Kiss with Chambord and Lime for a fruity, delectable taste. To make either ofÂ these drinks, you’re going to need highball glasses and cocktail strainers, and a few other kitchen gadgets. The preparation is all part of the presentation.

Maybe if you really want to make a sensual, delicious dessert for a whole crowd, look no further than drunken fruit recipes. With five and a half pounds of your favorite fruit and two quarts of your favorite top-shelf liquor, you’re sure to mix a fine dessert that will be fun to eat and even more fun to feed others! For this you’re going to need a large jug and several jars to store the fruit while it soaks up the alcohol.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/kennyhindgren/3281934120

Fall Party Ideas: Martini Mixer

colleen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:43:58 +0000

Springs are for flings, but what are falls for? What type of classy affair do you have in the fall, and winter transitional, to make the weather even more delicious? I suggest some high class, parental-only soirees with some throwback martinis. To make the best martini, you really do need the materials, and I’m not just talking about the liquor. Martini shakers, stirrers, and mixers are absolute necessities to make the best tasting drink, so here are some of the top mixers to make your party sparkle:

Dorset Martini Mixer : $99.00

28oz Stainless Steel Cocktail Mixer : $10.81

Shop for more cocktail shakers at Smarter.com.

Seasonal Highlight: Bender Blender

colleen — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:03:56 +0000

It’s summertime, and the drinks are sweating more than you are. What do you do to chill off? Consider buying a blender to make some fun fruity drinks that are nutritious and–perhaps?–alcoholic. Fresh margs, pineapple juice, maybe event your own blended beverage for the next pool party or summer grill. You want to make sure you’ve got a solid, working blender, especially with an ice crushing function that is sturdy and reliable–I’ve been there, when the blender breaks, smashing ice in a plastic bag with a sledge hammer in the backyard. It’s fun, but not practical or delicious, especially when you get grass or dirt in the uneven ice chips that scatter across the driveway when the bag breaks (and believe me, it always does!).

Some tips for blender shopping:

1. Ice crushing function. Already been described above.
2. Long cord/ functionality outdoors. You want to be part of the barbeque and picnic! It’s so much more fun than making the drinks in the kitchen while everyone’s outdoors enjoying the fun and the sun.
3. Removeable top pitcher for easy pouring and handling. You want to make sure the bottom is securely fastened, too, or else your yummy beverage is going to fall all over the place!

Some of our top picks for blenders for the summer season:

1. Back to Basics 3-Speed Brushed Chrome Personal Blender Express , BPE3BR : $22.00

The thriftiest of all designs, this is for the college kid on a major budget crunch with a sweet tooth.

2. Oster 14-Speed Blender from Kmart.com: $24.99, marked down from $29.99

Beautiful standard design with many speeds to play around with. Much sturdier top than the Back to Basics blender above.

3. Cuisinart SmartPower Premier 600W Blender: $99.95

With a 600-watt motor, this is the best blender on the market, with the price to match. Buy this if you’re looking for a real lifetime investment in partying and happy drinking.

Shop for through a wide selection of affordable blenders.

The Perfect Cocktail Container

homegarden — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:42:32 +0000

I went to the Las Vegas Market recently & for some reason I got drawn to these liquid containers. Maybe because they were filled with tequila or vodka infused with orange and pineapple slices . The cocktail was my escape from a stressful & tiring week. But back to these containers….

Forgive me for being clueless, I found out they are called a samovar. A samovar is an urn with a spigot or faucet used to boil water for tea. What one showroom did was place them in a round table & each samovar contained a different cocktail. They looked extremely charming & inviting as you can see all the fruit slices floating giving it so much color, perfect for parties or wedding receptions even.

They can get pretty pricey, almost $300 at retail but I think their look is timeless at any event.

Well, you need a perfect cocktail recipe for that samovar. Here’s one for you. Enjoy!

Tequila SeaBreeze

Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Tequila
4 oz Cranberry Juice
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
Directions Pour the tequila into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Add the cranberry juice and grapefruit juice. Stir, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve.!

Stainless Steel Champagne Bucket – Low Priced Wine Bucket

evette — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:34:17 +0000

I recently bought this stainless steel Wine/Champagne bucket for only $6.99! One of the smartest purchases I have done in a long time.

This handsome bucket is polished and classy looking and makes presenting wine and champagne attractive and practical. The stainless steel bucket is easy to clean and ideal for tabletop or even room service situations.

It has a 4 quart capacity and ring-style handles. It also makes a great ice bucket for small parties and get togethers.

If you are interested in the Stainless Steel Wine/Champagne Bucket - click here!

Low Priced Barware – Mikasa Swirl Smoke Martini Glass

evette — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:06:38 +0000

Check out the great deal at GiftCollector.com for savings of 37% on Mikasa Swirl Smoke Martini stemware.

Raised swirls encircle the base of each stunning piece, and the base is a tinted smoky colored glass. These are diswasher safe but hand washing is recommended.

Originally $15.00 Now on SALE for $9.50

If you are interested in browsing or buying the Mikasa Swirl Smoke Martini Glasses, click here.

To shop for more discount martini glasses, click here.

“Makes serving your guests a Snap!”

evette — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:00:33 +0000

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

Labor Day Sale – Discount Crystal Wine Glasses Deal

evette — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:41:47 +0000

It has come to my attention that I need to purchase some decent wine glasses. Yesterday was the 5th time in less than a month that I have had visitors who brought wine as a courtesy only to find that I had to dispense the delicious beverage in regular ol’ drink glasses. Pretty much kills the classy ambiance chugging wine out of cups.

Well I found this great deal on Waterford Lismore Essence Crystal Wine Glasses.

Yeah it’s safe to say when I put my mind to something I tend to go for the best. Plus I did some shopping around and these glasses are quite pricey ordinarily so this truly is a great deal if you are interested.

“Host sparkling soirees with Waterford crystal. Acclaimed the world over for excellence in quality and design since 1783, Waterford promises to keep every stemware pattern in production forever. The popular Lismore pattern is substantial and traditional, in brilliantly-cut clear crystal. ” – Waterford

Plus HomeClick.com is having a Labor Day Sale and are offering FREE shipping and 5% off your purchase if you spend more than $199!

Enter coupon code: LABORDAYHC at checkout to receive the Free Shipping and 5% Off (expires midnight, Monday 9/1/08)

Here comes the pricing:

Lismore Essence Flute Champagne 8 oz.
Retail Price: $~~79.50~~
Our Price: Priced From: $58.95

Lismore Essence Iced Beverage 19 oz.
Retail Price: $~~79.50~~
Our Price: Priced From: $63.60

Lismore Essence Balloon Wine – Set of 2
Retail Price: $~~150.00~~
Our Price: Priced From: $149.95

Lismore Essence Balloon Wine 18 oz.
Retail Price: $7~~9.50~~
Our Price: Priced From: $63.60

Lismore Essence Port 5 oz.
Retail Price: $~~60.00~~
Our Price: Priced From: $48.00

Lismore Essence Red Wine/Goblet 19 oz.
Retail Price: $~~79.50~~
Our Price: Priced From: $58.95

Lismore Essence Saucer Champagne 14 oz.
Retail Price: $~~79.50~~
Our Price: Priced From: $63.60

Lismore Essence Sherry 6 oz.
Retail Price: $~~60.00~~
Our Price: Priced From: $48.00

Lismore Essence White Wine 14 oz.
Retail Price: $~~79.50~~
Our Price: Priced From: $58.95

Hope this helps you out!