Welcome to the Tiki Central 2.0 Beta. Read the announcement
Celebrating classic and modern Polynesian Pop

Tiki Central / Tiki Carving

Newbie post (long): need ideas for bar top, colors and installing bamboo!

Pages: 1 2 replies

Hi everyone! It's my first post here, and I've really enjoyed seeing all of the great and creative things all of you have done to your home. You've been such an inspiration to my fiance and I! Please keep in mind that I'm completely clueless about this stuff, so if I use the terms incorrectly, please cut me some slack, haha.

We just bought our first house a few months ago and want to begin renovating our basement. Yep, you guessed it - we're doing it Tiki style. Right now it looks like absolute crap. It was very dark, faux wood panelling and we just painted it last weekend. It turned out ok, but I'm still not sure what color to paint the bottom of the bar. In the picture below, it's just primer that's on there, waiting for a color. So if you have any cool ideas, feel free to let me know! I was thinking about doing that Lauhala matting but I'm not sure if I can find it locally?

Here is the photo (PLEASE excuse the mess!)
http://www.missdigital.net/uploader/store/bar.jpg

As you can see, the wall behind the bar is orange. I actually did a strie effect on it though you can't tell. It looks kind of neat.

So we need to figure out what to do with the top of the bar. Right now there's just a countertop there. Is it possible to dress up the laminate countertop somehow? Maybe cut out some pictures, glue them to it and pour epoxy or whatever on top of it? How do you pour epoxy without it leaking over the sides? Also, would it be possible to paint the bar and then epoxy that?

We bought some long sticks of thick bamboo that we would like to use as the trim on the edges of the bar. Of course I have no idea how to put them on there. Any thoughts??

Sorry for the annoying post, I am completely clueless but motivated!! Thanks in advance.

welome aboard! congrats on your home purchase and transformation of the basement!! what city are you in? that would help us direct you for local purchases (and remember that Oceanic Arts and others ship supplies too!)

from what i've seen, there is no wrong color for a tiki bar ! it all sort of comes together as you create your space.

there are pictures and links back to tiki central on http://www.critiki.com (click on 'browse by category' then pick 'home bars')

i like your orange bar back..the bar is long!! do you have a sink and fridge back there? do a search on "epoxy" and i think there will be pictures and instructions to dress up the top of your bar. also, you might consider bamboo flooring/tiles over the top.

keep us updated!(we love pictures!)

Welcome ,

There is lots of info to be found
Here are few links to get you started with some ideas:

seas grass mattinghttp://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=14298&forum=7&12

Cutting bamboo
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=11920&forum=7
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=9701&forum=7
How to install Lauhala matting in your home
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=9800&forum=7

These should get ya started. Just read thru all the diffent forums , try different searches.
Good luck and share lots of pics with us.

Pages: 1 2 replies