I recently took a road trip up to Oregon, back home to where I grew up. I passed through Portland, and visited it in a way I never have before, by going to all the mid-century shops on SE Hawthorne. I am now convinced that Portland is ground zero for all things retro; mid-mod-mecca! In fact, I was too overwhelmed to spend a lot of money (probably a good thing), but did get this one fab item I have to share.
This ice bucket is humble and simple, and thus incredibly elegant.
Made of laminated chunks of teak, very solid and weighty toward the bottom which, given it's rounded shape, is great design. Weebles wobble but the don't fall down!
Yes, it's lined, in case you don''t want that rubbed vintage teak taste riding into the shaker ice and intruding into your spartan martini.
Here's the ice bucket in its native setting; the bar cart. Notice the seasonal new look sported by Beatrice, the bartender
While we're on the topic of booze, let me tell you about my fav new drink; the Jack Rose (pictured here) consisting of two parts apple brandy (or Applejack), one part lemon juice, and a dash of grenadine. Talk about a retro drink; George Washington sampled some Applejack during his Valley Forge campaign and later requested the recipe from Laird's, which still survives as the oldest family distillery in America. Nowadays Applejack is half apple brandy, and half grain spirits, and it's fine, but I've gotten into straight apple brandy (which is what used to be called Applejack). Confused? You'll be much moreso after a few of these!
So nice to pop in the latest season of Mad Men and sip a cool Jack Rose. Remember; always decorate responsibly!
