Already some years ago we got the unique opportunity to get a larger amount of used vats of a herbal liqueur manufacturer. Of course, we didn’t think twice and cellared out the barrels and transported them to Bad Dürkheim. We quickly came up with the idea of building a bar or counter out of one of the vats.

So it happened that our carpenters developed a plan how the “barrel kitchen” should look like. This plan was then lovingly implemented. Since then you can admire our bar at fairs and during visits in Bad Dürkheim.

So it is not surprising that even during the visit of a customer from the Allgäu in the spring led past our counter. As you can imagine, it found immediate appeal, we were asked for a quote for a reception in a similar style.

So we discussed the pros and cons of the various surface treatments, Markus drove to one or the other on-site appointment in the Allgäu.

Instead of a granite countertop, we would place a circular counter made of oak wood finished with epoxy resin (obtained from the entablature of a former half-timbered house in the West Palatinate) on the vat. With a diameter of 210 cm and a circumference of 660 cm, the carpenters had their work cut out for them. Countless hours were spent sanding, polishing, chamfering and finishing.

But of course, such a barrel reception does not only consist of the worktop. The personally selected vat was cut to the height required by the customer, opened and dried – otherwise the wood could not be glued and processed – sanded and reinforced. To ensure very long durability and maximum stability, the individual staves were then fixed inside the vat.

One of the special features of this really beautiful project was also the delivery and assembly of the counter at the customer’s site.

Two of my cooper colleagues drove to Wald in Allgäu this June armed with vat, counter parts and tools to bring the counter to its destination over two days.

On site, they assembled the vat, sawed the door opening (this could only be done on site due to the short notice – so there was no room for error here), replaced the original barrel hoops and set the countertop. The finishing was then done with a fired oil, which gives the whole reception a special look.

The necessary glow is provided by a circular LED strip, for which we milled the appropriate groove underneath the countertop.

I think we have implemented one of the most beautiful projects in our portfolio here. I can’t put my finger on what I like best about it, but it’s probably the countertop, built from used timber-framed oak pieces, each of which tells its own story.

. I like the practical, elegant, timeless look, but I also like the modern influences and that the history of each component has been preserved for eternity with epoxy resin.

See you,