Wine Storage Ideas for Handmade Kitchens
The beauty of a handmade kitchen is that, in theory, anything is possible. Engaging the services of a kitchen designer will ensure that you can dream big. Over the past twenty years at Papilio Bespoke Kitchens, we’ve seen the demand for wine storage solutions beyond wine fridges and under-counter or wall units. We’re thrilled to have designed several handmade home bars for our clients.
Wine storage can come in many shapes and sizes. The beauty of a handmade kitchen is that the designer can incorporate ideas into the design rather than simply installing a wine fridge or a rack. Here are a few of our favourite wine storage solutions we’ve designed, from the ambitious, dedicated home bar to a multi-functional pantry to meet our client’s favourite tipple needs.
The Clifton Bespoke Bar in Bristol
The Clifton Bespoke Bar was part of a complete bespoke kitchen design for our client in Bristol. The luxurious newly built home was blessed with sizable proportions, and the kitchen space was no exception. Our team of designers and cabinet makers had a blank canvas to work with, so we transformed the space into a stunning handmade kitchen featuring golden oak with heavy grain, black cabinet handles and taps, the finest American walnut, and Italian Carrara marble for the peninsular and coffee/breakfast station.
The highlight, for us and our client, was the bespoke home bar, finished in walnut and polished brass with Papilio’s signature ice trough. The gorgeous bar was more than a simple wine storage solution; it included tall cabinets featuring wood, metal, and glass and elegant handmade brass handles. Behind the bar, we designed wine storage and installed a wine fridge, beer fridge, glass washer and sink. The finishing touches included discrete lighting integrated into the cabinetry, all ideal for entertaining.
The Bath Kitchen Chimney Bar
We designed an exciting space for our Kitchen in Bath project in Somerset in a grand Victorian villa. In contrast to Bristol, we had many original features to incorporate in the two rooms that had been consolidated into one. Rather than a blank canvas, we had an original glazed brick chimney breast to work with. We kept the warm red-brown tones of the glazes, which inspired the use of walnut for the bespoke bar. The back of the bar was finished in an ‘antiqued glass’ with a Carrara marble countertop and a top for the range Miele wine fridge. We installed a task lighting system overhead and an undershelf glass rack to display beautiful crystal glasses. The bar was more than a bar; it was an area to sit and perch when entertaining.
Cotswolds Manor Pantry Wine Storage
For our Cotswolds Manor House Kitchen project, our client wanted a complete bespoke kitchen redesign and a highly functional scullery. Their brief asked that our design team stay true to the 17th Century Grade II listed home’s Georgian architectural features. So, the pantry was ideal for concealing the latest technological innovation and a bespoke shower/sink station by the back door for their beloved pets. Wine storage was also high on their priorities list, so we designed the walk-in pantry to incorporate a Sub Zero & Wolf wine store, which offers the latest innovation for the perfect storage of wine and champagne. In keeping with the luxurious features of the central kitchen, which included walnut, brass, and walnut veneer, the scullery was also treated with the same respect, ensuring continuous flow throughout the space.
