Your husband said he wants to add a bar area to your recreation room, and you must admit that you are hesitant. All that you can imagine is a painting of dogs playing poker hanging next to a mirror advertising his favorite beer.

The good news is that a bar area doesn’t have to be so tacky, and with just a few good design choices, you’ll be able to create an area that both of you will appreciate.

One thing to consider is lighting. Rather than the typical hanging bar lamp, opt instead for something a bit more elegant. Consider hanging lights on the wall behind the bar and surrounding the lights with metal wall hangings. This will provide adequate lighting and also give the area an elegant look.

Another option is to find a small chandelier to hang over the bar. That would leave the area behind the bar open to hang some appropriate wall art. A perfect choice is the Diamond Wall Candle Holders. This gorgeous piece of sculpture is so visually interesting that it will easily be the focal point of the room, rather than the bar itself.

This wall candle holder could hang alone or you may consider pairing it with some very simple metal wall hangings. Because the candle holder is so visually compelling, pairing it with anything to intricate may cause the space to look cluttered.

A dark wood bar, proper lighting and a few good wall hangings and you’ll have a bar area that is both functional and beautiful.

Reeni, your sleepless writer.

• November 2007