The Mi Trolley, An Elegant and Modern Bar Cart

Eastern minimalism with a splash of Italian style.

Part of the Poltrona Frau Take Your Time collection, the Mi series of cabinets provides an elegant storage solution for modern living spaces. Among the three products, the Mi Trolley modern bar cart caught our attention, as it offers an elegant way to serve whiskey and other drinks while bringing more style to get-togethers with family and friends. Designed by Neri & Hu for the Italian brand’s 2021 collection, the Mi range draws inspiration from the juxtaposition of opaque and transparent surfaces. The collection’s name means both “looking” and “secret” in Chinese pinyin. Looking at the bar cart, it’s easy to see why the name  fits the range perfectly. Unlike traditional designs, the Mi Trolley features an opaque external shell that keeps the contents hidden from sight. At the top, a tempered glass panel adds transparency to the design.

Poltrona Frau used refined material combinations for this collection. For example, this modern bar cart boasts Cuoio Saddle Extra leather upholstery with a vertical striped texture and a subtle 3D effect. At the top, the burnished and brushed steel tube boasts a leather handle with hand-stitching. Inside the cabinet, the tempered glass shelf has a conveniently adjustable design with three different positions. The brand used Canaletto walnut veneer for the unit’s sides and bottom, as well as lightweight doors with a honeycomb structure. The four swivel casters offer an easy way to move the modern bar cart through a room to serve drinks.

Apart from the Mi Trolley, the collection also includes a tall 2-door cabinet and a low 4-door cabinet. These two designs feature marble tops in either Calacatta gold marble or Nero Marquinia marble. Plus, the three units come in four possible exterior colors: Carbone, Cammello, Corda, and Polvere. Photographs© Poltrona Frau.