I am thrilled to be able to share the results of our very first house call.
As you remember, online editor Kerstin felt her bar could use some organizational and decorative help.
The bar...before the makeover
I was thrilled when she showed me what the newly revamped bar looked like. She took some of my advice and added a few new ideas of her own.
She's giving me and you a tour of the new space...
1 I started by removing everything from the bar shelves and giving it all a good cleaning.
2 I took Kevin's advice about adding decorative paper to the back wall. I tested out a beautiful gilded leaf pattern and a shagreen paper. I thought the gold in each would really add another dimension to the space.
3 I gathered bottles, vases and candlesticks from around my house to make this collection on the top shelf that was too tall to serve any real bar function.
4 I edited down my glass collection. (I really didn't need those pint glasses anymore). Now you can really appreciate the shape of each piece.
5 The copper tray in the back can be used to serve drinks when company comes.
6 Adding a white tray really helped corral my liquor bottles. For summer, I am sticking paring down my cocktail offerings. Margaritas, Pimm's Cup, and Lillet with sliced lemon. The shakers are from a antique travel bar set. The big silver martini pitcher in the back belonged to my grandfather.
7 This small horn bowl is the ideal size for holding sliced oranges, lemons, and limes.
8 I knew I had to have this Stork Club ashtray when I saw it at an antique show. While I would never use it for smoking, it's the perfect vessel to hold my new bottle opener.
9 I shopped my own house to fill the bottom shelf that used to be stuffed with cookbooks. The Lucite box holds shells I've collected all my life. The mother-of-pearl opera glasses were my grandmother's.
10 These cocktail books are at the ready should a guest make an unusual request.
11 I try to grab matchbooks from any restaurant I visit.
12 I am constantly running out for mixers. I decided to fill up a basket with tiny bottles of ginger ale, club soda, and ginger beer. This should last me all summer (I hope).
13 The wall paper is so subtle, yet gives the bar shelves such a custom look.
14 I found this brass vase in a tent at Brimfield Antiques Show earlier this year. I love the carved design.
15 Sprinkling votive candles among the glassware really makes them shine.
16 My bar is finally ready for company.
17 The bar by candlelight.
18 I am tempted to light these each night.
19 Now I hardly notice the safety glass shelves.
20 The way the bottles look by candlelight is so cool.
21 Cocktail anyone?
We will have a new house call coming soon.
Do you have a specific decorating challenge? Send it to us at Home Design. We may be "dropping by" for a house call. Email your dilemma to homedesign2@marthastewart.com.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Trish | 6/21/11 at 2:47 pm
It's amazing what one can do with 4 shelves! Very, very nice Kersten - the candle glow is fantastic! Now all you need is Martha's C-o-c-k-t-a-i-l's app for the iPad and maybe you won't need any books at all. Thanks for showing us the finished project.
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 6/21/11 at 3:43 pm
Looks amazing, great advice from you by adding decorative paper to the back wall.
Enjoying the summer holiday in Beirut amazing city.
Best Regards
From: David K. | 6/22/11 at 4:33 am
It looks great! I love the copper tray and brass vase! The collection of shells is a really cute touch too.