Home Bar, but Possibly a Reception Desk or Service Counter.

John Biermacher
by John Biermacher
I recently completed this project. It is a little smaller than bars I have done previously The core of it is a dresser from the late 1800s, early 1900s.
I wrapped the dresser in barn wood to make it more rustic and put it on a base to provide a foot rest and make it the right height. Dark stain and dye unified the colors.
Front view.
The galvanized details (bar top, front supports, and drawer pulls are meant to add interest and detail. The supports are 1 and 1/2" galvanized pipe. The top was wrapped with galvanized flashing and distressed with acid and gun bluing. I provided detail on the process in another post.
Bartender's side.
The pulls are 6" lengths of 1/4" pipe and eye bolts. The original hardware was Egyptian revival looking and is squirreled away for future project.
This photo gives a view of the pin and crescent joints (AKA Knapp joints) which were a transition from hand-cut to machine cut dovetails.


I anticipate someone will ask "Why would you do this to such an old dresser?" Well I bought this dresser on Craigslist for $65, so i figured it was mine and I could do what I thought best. I will use the top drawer, which I replaced with a shelf, in another project, where the joinery will be exposed/highlighted.


Thanks for looking.
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  • Pam Pam on Feb 16, 2016
    Could I possibly get the link to the post regarding "The top was wrapped with galvanized flashing and distressed with acid and gun bluing. I provided detail on the process in another post". Sounds like a great project for a bar cart I'm working on. Thanks so much. Btw, love your bar! Awesome job.
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  • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Feb 14, 2016
    Great results and I really like your attitude . The joinery is new to me, it is awesome . I look forward to seeing your finished project done with the drawer. Thanks for sharing.
    • John Biermacher John Biermacher on Mar 30, 2016
      Jean, I just did a post on a console table I made from the leftover drawer. I think you can find it by clicking on my name or searching for "console table" . Thanks, John
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