Built for Comfort and Care
Applewood recently completed a bespoke bar installation for a care home in the Sarisbury Green area. The design called for durable materials, thoughtful detailing, and a finish that brings warmth to a communal setting.
Care homes blend the practical with the personal. They’re part domestic, part clinical, and part communal. So furniture has to work hard for staff while still feeling warm and familiar to those living there. Everyone involved feels that we have achieved this.
Materials That Matter
The bar was built using prime tulipwood and birch plywood. Tulipwood has a consistent grain that takes stain evenly, giving the surface a warm, refined look. Birch ply adds stability, making it ideal for shelving and panels that get regular use.
The finish is simple but carefully chosen: a dark stain and oil for tone and texture, and a bar top lacquer on the surface for protection. It’s a finish that can take regular cleaning and daily use, but still lets the timber’s natural character come through.
After discussions with our customer we decided that this would be the best option to go for materials and finish wise.
The Details
At the front, the bar carries fluted columns with caps and skirting that create a steady rhythm, tying it into the surrounding architecture. The drop-down fascia and panel beading add a sense of formality, while solid ply edges keep the lines honest and robust.
Inside, the arrangement is deliberately straightforward with open shelving rather than cupboards, making for quick access and easy upkeep. The hatch is hung on stainless steel ball-bearing hinges, with a door below. Every part of the build was drawn and modelled in CAD so we could check and confirm the exact measurements before starting. That’s something we do with every project we carry out.
A Collaborative Process
This was a proper team effort. The client came in with a clear idea of how it needed to work, and we shaped the layout and materials together from there. A straightforward process, with shared decisions at every step.
We kept in constant communication with our customer throughout the project and kept them in the know. We feel as though it is massively important to keep our customers informed on every detail of their project.
Project Summary
This bar was manufactured, installed and finished by our team. It sits comfortably in its space, built to serve with quiet confidence. That’s the kind of result we aim for in every project.
There’s a great sense of satisfaction for us in this project, knowing that our work contributes to those later in life and their community brings real pride. We particularly enjoyed working on this care home, finding quiet reward in helping create a place that supports daily life and brings people together in a purposeful, genuinely meaningful way.
