DH and I bought a 1960's fixer-upper. The money we saved on the home's purchase price (compared to homes in the area in better condition) went into improvements, including the kitchen. But we were on a tight budget with the kitchen, and I watched every penny, and tried not to get carried away with all the stuff available out there (reading this forum makes that hard!). We also stayed within the original kitchen's footprint, since moving walls, plumbing and electrical really add enormously to a renovation's cost. Neither my DH nor I are any good at DIY stuff, so we did pay for outside contractors for the work. But I purchased almost all items myself from appliances to granite to sink and so on down to even the xenon undercabinet light bulbs. Although I did not put in actual labor, I put in plenty o'sweat equity in the form of hours spent on the internet looking for deals. As others have said, when you shop via the 'net, you save the tax, and usually get free shipping (if a website did not offer free shipping, I usually moved on to the next one). But it was hours of my time, plus the time spent tracking everything once ordered, awaiting deliveries, and inspecting everything upon arrival. So I saved dollars by not having the contractor do that, but used up a lot of my time. I did have the contractor purchase all building materials like drywall and the like cause that is beyond what I could do. I also saved money in small ways, like I chose almost all white appliances, saving with each one a couple of hundred dollars over stainless steel. I sold my old appliances on Craig's List, and maybe made a few hundred there, but hey, it all adds up. Without all the work I put in, we couldn't have managed it without going into debt. And we did not want to go into debt.

Thanks for the drawer suggestion everyone. DH was not so hot on that idea when I mentioned it months ago. I remember Warmfridge's drawer so that's what I was thinking. DH preferred it to be up higher. We're new to the whole drawers for everything idea. Kellie--My cab maker can put a lock on the drawer if we do that. I already asked. ;) Briana--I did have my storage under the counter there planned, but I'll see if I can shuffle around back there. Weisman--LOL! Blfenton--Funny, but DH did pack all the liquor when we moved out. It took me a few weeks of drinking wine to go hunting for the booze. I've made several trips to the liquor store since. ;) Celtin, Melissa, and Dianalo--Glass could be something other than regular glass. That could work. Marcolo--Cabs are shaker. My ceilings are only 7.5' so the uppers will run in one panel to the ceiling. I don't think it would look right to break the upper part in glass. I've been making homemade lemonade with basil or rosemary simple syrup for years, but never thought to put Hendricks in it. Good tip! Remodelfla--But the more I drink, the more I want to store! Slush--Thanks. Dilly--I need that countertop for beverage service. Contrary to how it sounds, I serve plenty of pitchers of non-alocholic concoctions also. I need a spot for people to be self-serve out of my way in the kitchen and off the food service area on the peninsula. Weissman--I never thought of a rollout. Thanks. Beagles--LOL! My tops will be Carrara and I make lemonade frequently. Yeah, the marble will etch. Deal. Warmfridge--I have your photo saved from way back. I thought it was genius! Coastal--I don't have a whole lot of bar glasses--martinis, a few old school margaritas, and some cordial glasses. Mainly it's wine glasses I need to store. 38" of uppers is more than enough. Geo--I've had that before. Very tasty!

I would not do tile on that wall at all it will be too much going on on that small wallIMO penny tiles do not belong in contempoary spaces and I think stainless shelves would be nice

Christinero, ilikefriday & pennydesign, thinks for the comments. You can party at my house anytime. I buy it to drink, not to just display. The piece behind the bar is an old dresser we bought for our daughters room while she was in college. She didn't need it anymore and it was just sitting around. I thought it might make a good back bar so I just took out the bottom two drawers and laid in some stained wood to store bottles. I think it's pretty cool too.