You will need
A flat pack wooden book shelf. I found mine at the tip but they are quite inexpensive to buy new.
One piece of 3mm hardboard approx 1220mm x 2440 mm (I got the store to cut this to the right width for me)
Jigsaw
Saw
One piece of wood to create the counter of the bar. I used the top of a discarded mdf cabinet which was 72 cms x 140 cm and 2 cms thick but you can buy this from DIY stores.
Black spray paint
Several clamps
Upholstery Staple gun
2 Metres of material (I used leopard print but whatever design would work best with your interior)
4 bolts
4 large washers
2 corner brackets
Various screws and washers
Screwdriver/cordless drill
Mask and goggles
Workbench
Sandpaper
Step One
Mark on the bookshelf where you want to cut it to make it shorter. Ideally you want the bar to be at about waist height.
Step Two
Using a saw cut the bookshelf down to size
Step Three
Spray the bookshelf black with the spray paint
Step Four
Drill four holes in either side of the bookshelf. These will be used to bolt the hardboard surround which will form the curved outer shape of the bar.
Step Five
Clamp the hardboard to the bookshelf and drill the holes for the bolts using the holes you have already drilled into the bookshelf as your guide.
Step Six
While the hardboard is clamped in place attach one side (using the bolts and the washers) to the bookshelf.
Step Seven
Now with one side secure you can gently curve the hardboard round and clamp in place to the other side. You may need an extra pair of hands for this as the hardboard can spring out of place
Step Eight
Once the second side is clamped in place then drill your holes through the hardboard for the bolts as you did in step five. Attach this side using bolts and large washers. We are using large washers because the wood is quite springy and if you only use the bolt heads the hardboard is liable to rip away from the bookshelf.
Step Nine
Both sides are now secure and you can remove the clamps. As you can see from the photo I didn’t get the wood cut to exact length, I left it deliberately long as this is easier to bend. Now both sides are secure you can trim away the excess using your saw.
Step Ten
We now have our basic bar shape, but to make sure everything is secure, I have screwed the skin on in between the bolts.
Step Eleven
Now we turn our attention to the bar counter. Place the wood for the counter upside down on a level surface and place the bar on top of it. To make sure we get the correct width for the bar top I have taken the corner brackets (which we are going to use to attach the counter) and I’ve wedged a matchbox behind it, and have simply moved it around the bar shape, drawing our outline for the counter.
Step Twelve
Now we have our outline we can begin to cut our top out. Secure it with clamps to your workbench. Put on your mask and goggles and cut out your shape using the jigsaw. This may take some time so do be patient. Once it’s cut out sandpaper the edges smooth, ready for painting.
Step thirteen
Put your mask on. Spray paint your counter using the same paint you used to paint the bookshelf. Leave to dry.
Step Fourteen
Cover your bar with your fabric, using your staple gun to hold it in place. Don’t worry about being too tidy on the top as your bar counter will cover it.
Step Fifteen
Attach your corner brackets to the bar. Screw each one near the top corners. Place your bar counter into position (once it’s dried) on the top of your bar. Secure it in place with screws through the corner brackets.
Step sixteen
Decorate with jaunty cocktail glasses, a pineapple ice bucket and enjoy being the hostess with the mostess. Please enjoy alcohol sensibly. The spinner’s in a swing dress is never to be recommended.
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