apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would but attractive liquor bottles on the top. I think they look so nice reflected in the mirror.

Anything in vintage mercury glass.

A few things with great, chunky shape, to hold their own against the piece.

Am currently loving the Dynasty ceramics from West Elm:
http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODa473&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1ACCVAS&retainNav=true&cmsrc=IMC1225

But a small collection of any type of simplified pottery would be lovely.

Just make sure its something you really like (and looks good from all angles) since it will be reflected.

tall shiny things! vases, candlesticks, glass objects, sculpture...anything tall and skinny would like hot all grouped together on one side, still leaving space for a martini shaker set or something equally fun :)

a substantial pair of vintage lamps

Your bong?

fresh flowers

what about turning it into an entertainment center somehow and something useful instead of just putting tchockes on it that you buy exclusively for that. Or books if you have a lot of books.

This totally screamed bar to me also...glad I am not the only alcoholic in here!
I would get some pretty bottles, maybe also a few pretty decanters, a cool James Bond Cocktail shaker and a massive vase of some kind.....

Its hard to tell exactly how tall the bar is - perhaps if things look small on it, hang something above it, art? fabric hanging? Wall Sconses? This would maybe take the eye up.

I like sgnt13 and Clairepetrol's suggestions (something to draw the eye up) a lot. In my mind the key is the scale of the piece/pieces. Another idea to throw in the mix: a large alabaster urn to mimic the curves on the piece with seasonal (large) arrangements.

I like sideboards to be mostly free of stuff. I think they're sort of the landing strip for the dining room. When not in use for a buffet, etc., I'd keep just a small collection of pottery or vessels or whatever and only to one side. Or both sides. But at least leave the middle open.

You may be having a hard time with scale bcs the sideboard itself seems to sort of float on that wall. I'd hang something above the sideboard to anchor it.

Or combine the bar and pottery ideas. Over the decades there have been a number of limited edition specialty liquor bottles manufactured over the years. Individually, they're not so hot, but as a collection they're quite festive.

Well, I would not go out and buy anything just especially to put on it. I like the fresh flowers idea. Then I'd do a tray to contain the miscellany that goes on the table for meals - salt, pepper, sugar, that stuff. (In line with the landing-strip-for-the-dining-room idea.) Third, I'd put out one or two of my favorite things that I like to look at and change the selection once a month or so, Japanese style. Finally, myself, I'd probably put a boombox there so I could listen to All Things Considered while I ate, and probably the latest magazines, but I know that many people here would be horrified by these latter additions. Cheers, Joanne

The ashes of your ancestors?

Arts & Crafts pottery

Whoa, I think it got bigger since you first posted it.

Whatever you do, don't feel compelled to spread stuff out across the top. I'd actually mass whatever it is (zinc finials, Roseville pottery, West Elm ceramics, mercury glass) on a tray in the center.

I could also see one long, low painted Asian chest on the top, scaled so it does not fully block the mirror but instead is framed by it.

I also always really like the addition of lamplight in a dining room, so perhaps one rectangular lamp in the center, or two "buffet lamps" .

Or, if you are pushing a more modern angle, a long low tray of wheat grass.

there is this Cocina bar in Oakland that has a collection of vintage tequila bottles. Cobalt blues, greens...something like that would look stunning against that that shade of wood.

Or a collection of vintage colored seltzer bottles, but they won't get you too much height variation.

And I'd corral them on a silver tray.

I like Julianna's suggestion.

you got lucky, its such a beautiful piece!! it reminds me some of sfgirlybybay's dining room -- maybe you can get some inspiration from these pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfgirlbybay/357835927/in/set-72157594217719276/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfgirlbybay/357840811/in/set-72157594217719276/

also, making it lovely might inspire something as well:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinklovesbrown/512568138/in/set-72157594539327370/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinklovesbrown/512606101/in/set-72157594539327370/

A single tall glass vase with or without fresh flowers. I sort of like that there isn't anything on it and would resist the urge to clutter it much; the piece already has a sort of 'cluttery' look from all the drawers and curves.

what about a low profile candle arrangement in front of the glass? then add either artwork or a tall vase/ flower arrangement on the top to draw the eye up. i agree on not cluttering.

that is beautiful. i'd totally set up bar on that. decanters, barware, shakers, and other accoutrement associated with beverages.

so jealous. i have no space for my bar, most of it is still packed in boxes.

Thanks for all the tips. I am still working on it!

Here is a current photo but by all means not where I hope it ends up!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1024/1483128449_2ceeda9ed2.jpg