Long before bar carts were the trend, cellarettes were the home entertainer’s must have furniture. What is a cellarette? Cellarettes, sometimes referred to as cellarette cabinets, were first used in Europe in the 15th century as a place for pubs to store alcohol. The lid locked to prevent anyone from stealing the establishment’s libations. Cellarettes first appeared in America in the 1700s and were popular with army officers during wartime. Soon cellarettes became a common sight in elite homes too. During the Prohibition of 1920s America, cellarettes were often disguised to look like part of another piece of furniture.
Want more simply beautiful ideas? Check out this post on another cottage staple: the china cabinet!
Conception of the Bar Cart/Bar Cabinet
Cellarettes came in many different shapes and sizes. Most were made to be a permanent piece of furniture. Others were smaller and had handles to be easily portable from room to room like the bar cart. Some cellarettes also served as a basic refrigerator. Many were lined with metal so that food and drink would be kept cooler on ice for a longer period of time.
Cellarettes eventually became a status symbol for households with elevated entertaining skills. Today, their legacy continues with bar cabinets. Looking to add a chic cellarette to your home’s entertaining arsenal? Here are some chic and classic options:
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This antique Federal Cellarette would look stunning in any traditionally appointed cottage.
Try this gorgeous bar cabinet, a modern take on the cellarette from Hickory Chair, the Russell Bar Cabinet.
We love this classic oval shape with a marble top from World Market.
The cabinet door design on the Chamberlain bar cabinet is reminiscent of a traditional church window and will fit right at home in your cottage dining room.
Cellarette in the Eastlake style made of walnut with porcelainized steel, circa 1870. Solvang Antiques.
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