A Spanish-Revival Bar in an Historic Point Loma, CA, Home

Feb 29

The historic home in Point Loma overlooks the bay and ocean and was where the who's who of aviation socialized in the early 20th century. The home's classic Spanish Revival style is one of a kind. Over the years I have designed and built many items for the home including doors, furniture, built-in cabinetry, and chandeliers in Spanish and early Southwest styles, but this project, the built-in bar with lighting, along with the carved bar stools was very special.

I was to build a large curved bar, in the main living room, supported by columns with a curved canopy that has carved filigree panels and curved back-lit glass. The bar is designed like a 19th to 20th century bar with a back bar, sink, and refrigeration, and a stand-up front bar with inlayed Burl Tasmanian Eucalyptus top and mahogany bar nosing.

The bar was made of solid mahogany. We built and finished everything in the shop, as it was designed to come apart in sections and reassemble in the house. We also built the bar stools with hand-carved details and hand-forged metal brackets and the light fixture inside the bar canopy. (The bar stool upholstery was done elsewhere.)