I love midcentury basements that have been decorated in kitschy, escapist styles. And the #1 favorite theme back in the day seems to have been: Whiskey barrel furniture (and don’t forget yer wagon wheel light to go with.) I recently spotted this huge, complete, pristine-looking 19-piece set of whiskey barrel furniture on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks to seller Joseph for giving me permission to archive this classic time-capsule living room suite — complete with fabulous bar and game table! Anyone out there with an empty basement ready to decorate in one fell swoop, for pick up only in Moulton, Pennsylvania? The furniture was made by Vista Industries of Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville… Bourbon… Whiskey Barrel furniture. That makes sense. On a larger level, the whiskey barrel furniture trend seems to go hand-in-hand in mid-century America’s fascination with Westerns. I talked at length about this phenomenon in this interview last year with Collector’s Weekly, “It Came From the ’70s: The Story of Your Grandma’s Weird Couch.” Gunsmoke, anyone?
19-piece set of whiskey barrel furniture, minty fresh
Back to this amazing set. As the listing says, it’s from the 70s, and I would agree, specifically from the colors: Avocado and dusty earthy coral. Above: The game table with gameboard designs printed right onto the laminate top.
The listing info includes:
19 piece retro 70’s whiskey barrel furniture made by Vista Furniture Inc, consisting of a game table, 4 chairs, couch w/matching chair, coffee table, 2 lamps, side chair w/ottoman, bar w/4 barstools, large bar w/bar back stool and wall bottle/glass holder. The set is in excellent minty condition. The set was cleaned and is like brand new. Made by Vista Inc dates to 1970s.
No detail is spared — you get whiskey barrel chairs, fully upholstered, too.
The whiskey barrel bar is a deelite to behold — hail those original stools — and my husband liked that back shelf too. I can almost taste the… whiskey sours made from a powder mix, of course!
For your walls to go with, how about this 1970s novelty wallpaper from Hannah’s Treasures?
This wallpaper — it reads “Early American” to me more so than “Western” but still fits with whiskey barrels, I think — has all the right 1970s colors. Of course, you could also do wood paneling (like in the original room), but you know I love the over-the-top factor added by novelty wallpaper.
The inside of the bar isn’t much to look at. But look, a little stool for the bartender!
A pair of whiskey barrel lamps!
Above: The back detail of the whiskey barrel sofa.
Yowza, at $1,600 takes it all, that’s a lot of classic rumpus room for the money. Inspect the photos carefully and tehre are other items to ask about too!
Thanks again, Joseph, for the permission. We surely hope this set finds a loving new home.
Link love one more time:
Ken says
Holy Cow! What a deal! The only problem with that room for me?
I would shirk all my responsibilities and never leave!
Mary Elizabeth says
Hmm. . . Where is the matching pool table? I agree with Carolyn that a basement fitted with this stuff is perfect for a staycation. Order me a pepperoni pizza and one with mushrooms and peppers, give me a beer in a mug that looks like a beer barrel (yes, they had those in the ’70s, too), and I’ll take off my shoes and rest my dogs on the coffee table.
Phyllis says
And don’t forget a painting of dogs drinking and playing poker #notsnark 🙂
CarolK says
Phyllis, I was at Biltmore House in Asheville, NC some years ago with some exchange students. There on the wall just as you entered the smoking room was a painting of the poker playing dogs.
carolyn says
Read the accompanying article on Grandma’s weird couch. We’ve had that one and the “tweed weave” sofas too in oranges and greens. The scratchy fabric was slick unless you went against the grain. I’d put a sheet over in summer because it felt “sticky” in humid weather. I wish I could find ANY of those davenports because these new over-stuffed ones are impossible to lay down on. I know I’ve gained weight but I can see the sitting area is shorter due to the over-stuffed backs. Great for sitting and reclining, not so much if you’re a side-sleeper like me. I also liked the wingback to rest my head when I was checking my eyelids for holes.
Robin, NV says
Pam – check out oil barrel furniture. I think it has a cool retro vibe and would look great on a patio.
CarolK says
We had a wagon wheel lamp in our kitchen when we moved into our house. It’s long gone, replaced by a ceiling fan. That ceiling fan will be gone soon too. I don’t know what will replace it but it will be unlikely to be another wagon wheel fixture.
Kathryn Asbahr says
Oh my! I wish this was closer to Idaho. Hope someone steps up to give it all a good home. Love the lamps. So glad to see the detail shots. I want to do a set in quarter scale so this gives me lots of ideas.
Chrissy DeMartinis says
I’m workin on it! We go look at it on Sunday! It’s less an hour from us and we have a basement in need of retro lovin!
carolyn says
Is it just me or did people have a lot more FUN back then? I was too little to know but if people are doing staycations and ordering in is the new going out – I’d want to come to this rec room!
Melinda says
How appropriate that i came across this article while watching Gunsmoke with my dad. ?
Pam Kueber says
🙂
louiseb says
Oh man, makes me wish I had a basement!
Pam Kueber says
Yes, me too! Well — a second basement!