Award Winning Wine Cellar - How We Did It!
Designing the perfect wine cellar encompasses countless decisions – refrigeration units, storage solutions, overall functionality and then of course, the design elements. I’ll share some insights on this award-winning wine cellar I created for a long-time client. As is typical with most private home cellars, this room began as a cement box – basically a blank canvas. Having worked together since the conception phase of their new construction 10,000 SF home, my design goal was to create the crown jewel of my client’s achievement. As part of an already over-the-top basement recreational zone - complete with golf range simulator and home theater – this wine room would be seen through large full-height glass doors. The main design challenge was how to achieve proper lighting levels, as well as camouflage the refrigeration unit. Creating a lighting plan that felt intimate and cozy – even at 55 degrees – was paramount to the overall cohesiveness in my design concept.
Fortunately, the homeowners understood the value of creating ambiance with a lighting plan that is the backbone of this dynamic wine cellar – but at the same time it was important for the light sources to be discrete. My materials and finishes selection began with the creation of a dynamic blend of textures, which evoked the feeling of an old world wine cellar, while simultaneously giving the space a timeless vibe that would keep their look fresh long into the future.
Beginning with rustic reclaimed wood as my base material, I layered various elements to create a modern mixture of rich textures. Thoughtful use of these materials made the space functional and easy to maintain. Concrete countertops, porcelain wood grain floor tiles and simple, rough-hewn wood and raw steel furniture were offset by stacked-stone tiles, Venetian plaster and a reclaimed wood backsplash. Each element plays a role in paying homage to the past with a nod to the future.
The lighting plan I developed was designed to include multiple layers of light, each accentuating the various textures of this space. The workhorse of the design, LED tape lighting, discretely showcases the various bottle display areas. LED track lighting hidden on the sides of the overhead “beams” gives a punch of light to the front of the racks and cabinets. Back-lighting on the racking systems combined with a Venetian plaster effect on the walls gives the illusion of a larger space. Careful attention was paid to the color temperature of our lighting specifications as we had both warm and cool tones in every aspect of our finishes and color palette. Smart home technology plays an important role in the integral lighting controls used in this space, as well as the rest of the home.
The custom-designed cabinetry and racking system offers the client flexibility for both display and storage of the client’s extensive wine collection. Both under-cabinet glass racks and wall cabinets offer functional space-saving storage. Thoughtful attention was paid to disguise the HVAC system while allowing for proper ventilation and temperature control. The two-tone stains were selected to add interest to the palette while giving the new cabinetry an aged quality.
Attention was paid to every detail. Even the custom wine table and stools, which were fabricated by a local metal artisan, subtly repeats the diamond-shaped racking. As a finishing touch I designed a contemporary family crest which was water-jet cut in stainless steel and embedded into the concrete tabletop – signifying the homeowner’s stamp of approval on this amazing space! Creating the perfect wine cellar requires technical know-how and creative planning in order to make the space your own!
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