The ‘80s Kitchen Gem That Doubles as Decor (If You See It, Grab 3!)

I can never have enough pops of charm and personality in my apartment, especially when they’re relics or reminiscent of yesterdecades. I have a fisheye convex wall mirror so it feels like I live in a ‘90s hip-hop music video, vinyl 45s on my walls from the ‘80s, and a Cher print that reads “Mom, I Am a Rich Man” (IYKYK) — so you could say I’m a fan of the vintage-inspired decor trend that’s everywhere right now.

I’m always on the hunt for easy ways to add color and flair to my space, and sometimes it’s the most unsuspecting items that make the biggest impact. One stunning ‘80s-inspired gem made its way into my home recently from none other than the liquor store.

A few months back, I was lucky enough to go on a trip with Absolut Vodka to Sweden to celebrate the launch of their 2024 limited-edition Absolut Warhol collaboration. This gorgeous new bottle of vodka is decorated internally with Andy Warhol’s “Absolut Warhol (The Blue Version)” painting, which is a masterpiece of different hues of blues that happens to have quite the storied past. 

The painting was first commissioned from Warhol by Absolut in 1985 and was seemingly lost until 2020 — when it showed up at auction (after which the brand had to prove they still contractually owned it). One thing leads to another, and along with the Andy Warhol Foundation, the long-lost painting was put on a bottle of vodka and released for a limited time only in October. The faded blue and white brushstrokes give an airy feel to the pop art icon’s classic work, and it becomes pretty meta with the bottle within the bottle.

Naturally, I had to try the product, and got to take a bottle home as a keepsake. I looked at it as it sat in my bar cart for a week or two until I decided it was too pretty to be collecting dust! I poured the vodka into another container, cleaned it out, and repurposed the bottle as a vase. 

I’ve been known to reuse and find a second life for pretty much everything that comes into my apartment, and this bottle was no different. I wanted it on display, as it’s quite literally a piece of art that deserves to be seen — and in my favorite color, no less! The dried purple and white flowers bring out the blues in the painting, and add a touch of earthy elegance to my entryway (which also happens to be my kitchen). 

I’ve always been a fan of Warhol and his bold, bright style of repetition and interwoven pop cultural references, but in Sweden, it was taken to a whole new level. I got to see “Money on the Wall,” a new exhibition at the Spritmuseum in Stockholm that explores Warhol’s relationship to capitalism and self-expression, including lots of his rarely-seen early work as a commercial artist, and, of course, features his two ’80s Absolut commissions side by side. It unlocked a newfound appreciation for the artist and the way he played with and laughed at finance in his pieces — just as Absolut has honored with its special-edition vodka. 

The $19.99 bottle is only available for a limited time, so if you spot it in your next stroll through duty-free at the airport or in your favorite liquor store, grab it. (Not only is it both enchanting and delicious, but I’m sure it’s going to appreciate in value just like any other collector’s item.) 

If you’re a fan of pop art, vodka, or nostalgic decor, this captivating glass gem deserves a spot in your home. For me, not only is it an adorable ‘80s-inspired vase, but it’s also a keepsake and reminder of one of the most incredible trips of my life. I could go on and on about Warhol, cocktail-making tips, and my Swedish adventures, but I’ll spare you for now — just keep an eye on my byline if you want to hear more. 

Buy: Absolut Original Vodka Andy Warhol Edition, $19.99