All Photos By Gail
Who says a bar cart has to be a boring little trolley parked in the corner waiting for cocktail hour? This wonderfully unconventional design by French designer Étienne Fermigier looks ready to serve drinks, store bottles, and steal the show all at once.
Designed in 1970, the cart is a delightful exercise in geometric design. Its boxy form is broken up by contrasting white and coral-pink panels, with open compartments that reveal the layered edges of the plywood construction. The circular cutouts in the shelves add a playful polka-dot effect while providing dedicated spots for bottles. Mounted on wheels, the entire unit can be moved wherever the party happens to be.
The materials are just as interesting as the shape. Laminated plywood and Formica give the cart its crisp, colorful finish, while the exposed wood edges introduce a touch of warmth. When opened, the piece reveals a surprisingly intricate arrangement of shelves and storage spaces; when viewed from the outside, it becomes an almost sculptural object.
Fermigier was part of an influential generation of postwar French designers who explored new materials and fresh approaches to everyday furniture. Born in 1932, he studied at the École Boulle and the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Paris, and later co-founded the Meubles et Fonctions gallery with fellow designer Pierre Perrigault. His career was tragically cut short when he died in a car accident in 1973, aged just 41.
More than half a century later, this bar cart still feels wonderfully fresh. It’s functional furniture with a sense of humor — a clever little storage unit that understands the importance of making an entrance. Cheers to that!
Photographed at Demisch Danant Furniture Gallery in NYC.