We Gave a DIYer $50 to Turn a Utility Cart Into a Festive Holiday Bar Cart — Here’s What Happened
Our home projects editor Megan loves a good DIY, and she loves a good challenge. So Megan has asked some of the most clever DIYers if they’re up for making over some everyday object on a budget. We call it Megan’s Mystery Makeover! For this edition, Megan’s making things festive for the holidays. Will today’s DIYer be up for the challenge?
Megan has challenged Mary from This Thrifted Abode to turn an ordinary utility cart into a fancy bar cart that’s perfect for holiday entertaining. We also challenged her to take style inspiration from Cointreau, the iconic orange liqueur that’s distilled from a blend of sweet and bitter orange peels and is an essential part of any bar setup. Since Mary is focused on sustainability and upcycling, we couldn’t wait to see what she could come up with on a budget of $50.
We sent Mary an admittedly boring utility cart — the kind you might use to store craft supplies or tuck into the corner of a laundry room. To transform it into something you’d proudly want to display in your living room, Mary got really creative.
First, she spray-painted the entire cart gold to give it a festive finish ($6, plus $2 for tape). Then, she added faux greenery (this was her biggest splurge at $20) and twinkly lights ($10) for a seasonal touch. Styling it with thrifted glassware ($10), fresh and dried citrus (she had those on hand — once you start DIYing, you’ll surprise yourself at what you have on hand), and all the necessary bar tools and accouterments gave it a feel that’s both functional and fancy.
Mary’s bar cart is one of our favorite holiday DIYs: it’s festive, fun, and easy to get done in just a few hours — and on a budget. Overall, a total success! To celebrate, Mary inaugurated her new bar cart by mixing up a Cointreau Cosmopolitan, a classic cocktail that’s especially festive for the holiday season. Here’s the recipe:
- 0.75 oz. Cointreau
- 2 oz. vodka
- 0.25 oz. cranberry juice
- 0.75 oz. fresh lime juice
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
- Add ice and shake until well-chilled
- Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass
- Garnish with an orange twist
Cointreau is the star ingredient of The Cosmopolitan, as well as many other cocktails, and its iconic bottle deserves a prime perch on any bar cart. Mix it with essentially any type of liquor and craft a better cocktail. For more libation inspiration, including holiday recipes, visit Cointreau online or follow them on Instagram. Stock your home bar now and order a bottle online.