Goals & Needs: Program:

• Transform an unfinished basement storage area into a showcase for a private 1,000 bottle wine collection.
• Create an intimate tasting area to focus on the chilled wine cellar while maintaining a vital path to a general storage space beyond.
• The atmosphere of the space was to lend itself to an elegant English style wine cellar rather than a Tuscan theme.

• An existing adjacent stairway, foundation wall, and mechanical unit fixed the area and circulation of the space.
• Existing mechanical ducts limited 1/3 of the space to a lower than ideal height.
• The existing stairway ended abruptly facing a wall and fixed entry to the space at one corner.

• We positioned the chilled wine cellar under the lower ceiling area in order to define the space and allow maximum view from the new landing entry.
• Large single expanse of insulated glass between the wine tasting and chilled storage cellar allow the rooms to visually borrow space from one another, thus expanding the limits of each area.
• The center of the room is left open for easy passage to storage areas beyond.
• Shallow archways and vaulted ceilings of various heights recall the character of a vaulted wine cellar and give the illusion of a higher vault in the tasting area.

• The brick veneer wall gives the room an earthy texture and focus opposite the glass wall into the wine cellar.
• The existing closed wall to the adjacent stairway was opened up with an archway and new iron balustrade on each side of the stair. This allows the tasting area to be seen from the existing lower level foyer, and thus open up the space to longer views of the existing lower level. The last riser of the stairway was raised to form a wider landing at the foot of the stairs, and the mural at the landing gives the illusion of more space beyond “outdoors”.
• The stairway landing mural was specifically designed for the space using a variety of outdoor images and details provided by the client and architect.  The mural was painted in the Artist's studio on Polymural Canvas, using acrylic paints, sealed and installed using re-positionable wallpaper paste.
• Custom walnut cabinetry provides a balanced focus for and arched passageway to a recessed door to a storage area, and allows for the placement of wine tasting accessories and English style decorative objects. Curving brackets and shallow arched seeded glass recall the curves of the vaulted ceiling and a traditional style.
• Hand sculpted wide plank ebony oak flooring running the shorter dimension of the room gives the illusion of more width, and the character of a wine cellar.
• Professional specialty painting was employed to give the walls and ceilings of the room a well maintained yet aged “like a fine wine” look. The walls were glazed with a simple raw umber glaze. The ceiling is a "Bauselle Marmorino" application.  The first coat of authentic lime-based marmorino was tinted a deep red.  Natural color marmorino was troweled on top of that leaving random areas of the red exposed.  Finally a tinted wax was troweled over the top.  This is an actual layer (veneer) of stone applied to the ceiling.
• Vessel sink with custom curved front decorative iron base and honed and polished travertine top provides an elegant place to rinse wine glasses. The iron base has cast iron grapes and grape leaf accents to complement the purpose of the sink. The wall mounted faucet is through a recessed Humidifall waterfall unit with a matching travertine face that creates a soothing background trickling water sound while providing required humidity to the wine cellar.
• Chilled Wine Storage Cellar: Redwood wine cellar racks with mahogany stain give the wine storage display a traditional look. A small arched alcoves for the storage of reserved wines. Contemporary light sconces in the shape of wine bottles are a whimsical touch to the elegance of the space. Large arched glass window and glass door farmed in wood allow expanded visibility between the wine cellar and tasting areas.