Almost one century old, but not showing it. Implying a unique, truly timeless character. Ninety years after its first appearance on the market (see the historic image below), the AR1 bar trolley is back, as one of the exceptional objects in the collection of Historic Products of MisuraEmme.
Original and practical at the same time, rationalist and versatile, ready for transformation. Light (thanks to its structure in steel tubing) and functional, this item was designed in 1930 by the Swiss architect Alfred Roth to elegantly accompany moments of convivial bliss, at home or at the bar. Besides the extractable tray in plywood covered in black plastic laminate, today this bar trolley houses an ice compartment in light welded sheet metal, a container for bottles in perforated aluminium, and a box with two folding doors in lacquered maple with a dual finish (black on the outside, natural birch on the inside). A historic model in a numbered edition.
For those who love colors, on the other hand, the solution to decorate cocktail time with liveliness and style is this USM Haller Bar Cart – Red versione by Ivy Mix (height 100.5 cm, width 100, depth 35).
The Bar Cart is part of the USM Haller collection designed for the Swiss producer of modular furnishings by Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. The item brings together the extreme versatility of the furnishing systems of USM with the creative flair of a group of award-winning New York bartenders, who have reinterpreted this iconic piece to match their own styles. Made (like the whole collection) in powder-coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubing, the cart is made to last for generations. If the combination in red isn’t your thing, you can choose from 14 color variants.
To create the ideal atmosphere of an informal gathering at home, what you need in the kitchen is a set of stools. These stools by Domitalia, designed by Folco Orlandini and Andrea Radice, are called Bouchon and come in two different heights: 66 cm or 76 cm (to pick the right size, the space between the seat of the stool and the top of the table or counter should be from 25 to 35 cm). What’s so special? The structure of the seats takes its cue from the traditional corks of sparkling wines, with their wire cages. The natural material is also a plus: the regenerated cork ensures elasticity and great strength at the same time. The base is in light but solid metal. The cork seat can be personalized with a logo or a message.
For outdoor settings, if you have a terrace or a garden, we recommend a look at the Armillaria Family, based on an idea of the designer Odo Fioravanti for Plust collection. This collection has literally been inspired by the world of mushrooms: seats and tables with a single base but different forms, to trigger the idea of a family that stems from a shared root, where every element reproduces itself with its own personality, while serving different functions. The Armillaria Stool is in rotomolded plastic, available in various colors.
A more classic but also original aperitif table can be found in the Ometto collection by Bellelli, featuring iconic design and essential, timeless forms. The series relies on the charm and beauty of marble (for the top, which can be round or oval) and the visual evanescence of transparent polycarbonate (for the legs): the result is an exuberant multifunctional table.
The key to a great aperitif? It’s the drinks, of course, which have to be mixed with skill and with style. This futuristic shaker in blue glass plated in copper belongs to the drinkware series The Plum Family by Tom Dixon, who reinterprets traditional cocktail culture with a more modern look and sculptural yet functional imagery. With a large vessel and tapered ends, the shaker provides a firm grip and balanced movement, while the slender cap can also be used to measure liquids.
And here comes the toast: for a memorable cin cin, the collection to keep in mind – or in your hands – is that of the Murano glasses by Dolce&Gabbana Casa. Made with one of the oldest techniques of crafted glass – namely glassblowing – this collection of batch-colored pieces stands out for the typical balloton diamond pattern. Arranged in groups, these items make it possible to create a setting that suggests the theme of the Sicilian cart, an element of folklore for a region – with its traditions, crafts, landscapes and unique colors – that has always been the main inspiration for the fashion duo.
