Whether visiting a chic restaurant or enjoying a relaxing night at home, a libation at a bar should be personal. Everyone has a drink of choice. Mine is an Aperol Spritz in the summer and a dirty vodka martini with blue cheese olives in the summer. Some people have mastered the nuances of craft beer, others the notes that come with a flight of red wines. And then there are those who know their whiskey. The point is, when we want to relax whether it’s low key or celebratory, our drink is as much of our lifestyle roster as the food that wafts through our kitchen, and the fabrics that soften our interiors.
It only makes sense then, that we refresh our bar-style every now and then when welcoming in a new season. I love to mix some of my vintage and heirloom pieces with newer personalized ones from Mark & Graham.
When thinking about autumn and moving cocktail hour indoors as the temperatures start to drop, I turned to Mark & Graham to update my arsenal of bar wares. I love the ceremony of decanting into a beautiful piece of glass. Two of my favorite silhouettes are an uncut piece with etching that is confident in its simplicity, and one that leans to the traditional side with an etched plaid design. Of course, a single-letter monogram is enough to elevate the glasses. For something unbreakable and moody, I love the monogrammed tumblers with a tortoise-like finish.
Don’t forget to serve your guests in style. I have quite a collection of trays in varying sizes and shapes. For this bar setup, I chose one from Mark & Graham, the dipped ceramic tray in navy or the rectangular mango wood piece with white enamel. They will have your guests feeling extra special in your home. Don’t forget to have coasters accessible to protect your tables. Here, I love the leather monogrammed coaster to ease any worries about damaging surfaces.
Not everyone is comfortable right now hosting or attending full-on dinner parties that last for hours. But while the weather is holding in that Indian summer pattern, invite a few friends and neighbors to your home for a drink. And with your monogram gracing the pieces they use to socialize with you, it’s sure to be an event they will remember.