KEY POINTS:
If their newly designed bar was a song, it would have been the Beatles' Norwegian Wood. "Because initially we did have a lot more wood in 3. the interiors," says Henry Oliver who, with his wife Amber Easby, runs newly opened K Rd bar, D.O.C (short for Department of Conversation).
But being on a tight budget, the couple soon ran out of money for all that fancy wood. "Still, having a really tight budget made us become creative in ways we never would have expected," Oliver says.
This includes using a boat-finishing technique with resin to create the top of the bar as well as collectibles for decoration. All of which has resulted in more of a homely look - "early 60s or 70s but not themed or too kitschy," says Oliver.
"We both grew up in a DIY culture, both aesthetically and musically," says Oliver, who's at law school now but who used to be a member of local band Die Die Die. Easby looks after merchandise and the online store for international group the White Stripes. "So we tend to gravitate toward the amateur or handmade."
1. Our bar. Our builders surprised us with this one. We'd be throwing around ideas for the bar and they were all too expensive. Who knew wood cost so much? The builders then came back from working on some multimillion-dollar house and stole this great idea. We love it. It's design without being masturbatory. Kind of modern in a timeless way. Thanks dudes!
2. Three Bob Dylan bootlegs. We got these amazing Bob Dylan bootlegs a few years ago. They've got pretty much the same cover except in different colours with different songs listed. Oh, and one doesn't have the pic of Bobby on it. It's weird. I just really like the colours and love the DIY aspect of the whole thing. It's something you miss out on when millions of people like the guy too. That's why bootleg LPs are so good - they look like weirdo, private press records from the 60s, yet are straight from the mouth of the canon.
3. Andrew Barber painting. We went to the casino one night and won $700 on the roulette table. We decided to spend the cash on a Barber painting. Somehow it seemed appropriate.
4. Video Game Wallpaper. Another favourite feature at the bar. Amber found eight sealed rolls of this on eBay for $10. It cost $80 for shipping but was still a bargain.
5. I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence, a book by Amy Sedaris. This hilarious picture cookbook is always kicking around our lounge. Includes recipes for weird stoner food that you will never make. Our favourite is the "See you in Five to Seven Years" prison cake. Plenty of nudie suits and party tips.
6. Goodbye, Babylon box set. A mind-blowing box of sacred songs, blues hymns and hellfire sermons. Six discs of the best early 20th century American religious music, a 200-odd page booklet, some genuine cotton (no kidding) all lovingly packaged in a cedar box. It looks as good as it sounds and looks proudly over our lounge. Bob Dylan gave this to Neil Young as a gift - that's how good it is. It almost had me on my knees praying for forgiveness.
7. Paint By Numbers. We've been collecting these for a while now - and some have made their way to the bar. Our favourite is a mountain scene painted by someone called Tom "while recovering from a hernia operation in 1968". Genius.
8. Salt + Pepper Ghosts. Amber got these on Canal St in Manhattan, I think. Who wouldn't love two ghosts hugging? They're cuter than cute.
9. Croatian Blanket. Bought at a market in Zagreb for peanuts. Hundreds of handwoven hearts. Say no more.
10. Light Fixture. This is another DIY love affair of ours - and the first thing we bought for the bar. Some husband made it for his wife back in the 60s. So amazing. If I were a wife, I'd love my husband to make me something like this. You can tell it's handmade by an amateur when you try and get it lined up straight and symmetrical. It drives you crazy for a while, but then you love it even more.
