Story by Ann Butenas
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your own wine cellar? Then perhaps a few of these local beauties may tempt you to say, “I’ll drink to that!”
If you have been considering installing a wine cellar in your home, you are in good company. As evidenced by these photos, they come in a variety of styles and sizes and can be designed with the individual homeowner’s tastes in mind. However, a wine cellar is more than just a few bottles of wine put on the shelf in that corner basement closet. It can become a focal point of the home if approached with forethought and diligent planning. Whether you are a novice, enthusiast or connoisseur and are developing or further enhancing your passion for wine, then perhaps a wine cellar just might be a fun and unique addition to your home.
Wine cellars can be small and quaint, housing just a few bottles of your favorite vino or they can be large and expansive, fully temperature-controlled, and designed to hold thousands of bottles of wine as well as provide a gathering spot for tasting, entertaining and seemingly endless conversation.
Project Designer:
KOENIG BUILDING + RESTORATION
What’s not to love about this sleek and sophisticated wine cellar? Bursting with style, this glass enclosed room enjoys a grey stackstone look that, while not temperature controlled, is outfitted with potential to that end. However, it’s tailored look still affords a cool vibe without taking away from its overall function.
Completed in early 2015 by Koenig Building + Restoration, this Fairway home belongs to the company’s owners, Molly and Scott Koenigsdorf, who have breathtakingly transformed their basement into a work of art, creating a mini kitchen complete with microwave, full-size refrigerator and so much more. The accompanying wine cellar was the perfect answer for entertaining friends and family. As dozens of wine bottles accent the wall, the adjacent countertop and lower cabinetry and drawers offers the perfect spot for those spontaneous tastings.
A designer by trade, Molly even added her own personal and perfect touch to the space with an impressive photo resting just above the tasting area.
“That is a photo I took of Grand Central Station in New York City,” she noted.
Accent elements contiguous to the wine cellar include muted colors, as influenced by Restoration Hardware; off-white Caesarstone quartz countertops and porcelain tile flooring that gives the appearance of hardwood.
Project Designer:
NSPJ Architects
As you cross the threshold into this one-of-a-kind wine cellar, you may get the sense of being magically transported to an 18th century French chateau, as its exquisite design features bring on a full sensory experience, from the natural stone wall with backlit wooden insets randomly placed to display special bottles of wine like works of art to the barreled brick ceiling, the lattice-like wine cubbies, the Carrara marble countertop and the stone floor.
“The homeowners are true wine aficionados,” noted Tim Homburg, Principal Architect and Co-President of NSPJ Architects, whose team designed this rustic and relaxing space. “This particular room not only gives them a place to store their wine, but to also enjoy it around the table with friends and family. It’s a completely usable room.”
With just the right amount of lighting to provide the perfect ambiance – from the indirect LED lights to the chandelier above the table – it simply begs one to grab a bottle off the wall, cozy up to the center table, pour a glass (or two!) and prepare for a relaxed evening of red or white, cheese, laughter and conversation.
“For many wine enthusiasts, enjoying wine is a ceremonial experience,” expressed Homburg.
And this particular wine cellar offers a standing invitation for its owners to continually relish that opportunity.
“When someone is enthusiastic about wine, they want an environment in which they can enjoy that passion,” said Homburg.
This wine cellar clearly understands such enthusiasm.
Project Designer:
CATENACCI CONSTRUCTION
Most any bottle of wine will pair wonderfully well with this phenomenal wine cellar in Leawood. Measuring seven feet wide by 12 feet in length, this temperature-controlled, wine lovers dream can house up to 800 bottles of the tempting libations. As part of a remodeling project, this main basement area is sure to command a regular audience as it will undoubtedly provide continual peak performance in both form and function.
“We went for a ‘wow’ effect with this one,” expressed Angelo Catenacci, owner of Catenacci Construction. Apparently, that threshold was reached and definitely crossed when designed and installed.
With room for a small table, ample counter space and the perfect amount of accent lighting from overhead can fixtures and LED lighting with dimmers for ambiance, this portal to happiness is decidedly a strong focal point in this home.
“This is truly a masterpiece, like a work of art,” smiled Catenacci, who also credits Project Manager Brad Ballenger for his efforts in this endeavor.
As viewed from the bar contiguous to the wine cellar, the total glass front acts like a frame for the space that richly plays with a birch and ebony palate. The exquisite wine cabinetry was provided by Jeff Foster. Access to the wine cellar is obtained from a side glass door entry with a wood perimeter. Tile made to look like hardwood flooring from McKee Tile complements the overall theme of the space.
Project Designer:
SYLER CUSTOM HOMES
Is this a wine cellar or a showcase? While clearly it is both, the answer truly lies within the motto of the experts at Syler Custom Homes, owned by Garret Syler, who designed and installed this project.
“We just like to take people’s dreams and make them happen,” expressed Mike Powell, Vice President of Syler Custom Homes. “We start with a sketch and draft a dream.”
Located underneath a three-car garage in a Lake Lotawana residence, this temperature controlled wine cellar can house up to 5300 bottles of wine and has been specifically designed to meet the lifestyle of the homeowners.
“They are true wine connoisseurs,” said Powell.
Top to bottom, attention to detail was imperative when installing this room, from the tile flooring atop a concrete base to the barreled, faux-painted ceiling and the commercial-grade glass door that leads into the climate controlled zone. The knotty alder wood throughout lends a true rustic and country feeling to the space while the tasting table against the backlit stained glass wall suggests a touch of quaint beauty.
Adhering to a strict methodology of wine cellar construction, which Powell described as a meticulous “step-by-step” process, this project took into account many factors, including the location of the cellar; the installation of the studs and soffits; the rough-in for refrigeration, the dry wall, the lighting, the proper insulation and the vapor barrier. The end result is something to which one should raise a glass and make a toast.
Project Designer:
LARSON BUILDING COMPANY
This inviting wine cellar on the lower level of a residence in old Leawood is certainly entitled to appreciable bragging rights. Designed and installed by Larson Building Company, this 10’ x 8’ temperature-controlled, glass-enclosed room enjoys a host of eye-catching styles and amenities, including spacious metal and wood wine racks (Larson created the metal ones while the homeowners brought in the wooden ones, which Larson installed), a wine tasting shelf, an overhanging steel light fixture, gray-toned walls and 12” x 24” gray tile flooring. An industrial-style table with accompanying chairs atop a unique area rug add to the mood, begging for a fun evening of wine tasting, great conversation and laughter.
Overseen by Ken Coda, Project Manager and Jim Kiely, Chief of Operations for Larson Building Company, this wine cellar is truly a work of art and fits in well with the style of home which was designed with the true essence of old Leawood in mind and was designed with the owners’ appreciation of wine and entertaining in mind.
“It’s our job to create exactly what the homeowners want,” expressed Kiely, “Every home we build is a true custom. That means it is built only once. We feel our clients expect this in this price point.”
Project Designer:
TOTAL HOME REMODELING
At first glance, the decorative canyon stone that envelopes and embraces this lower level enclave is perhaps the only invitation you will need to cozy up to the bar and enjoy a glass of vino. All of the warm and rustic elements interlock seamlessly, from the chiseled edge black granite counter top (definitely a talking point!) to the custom built, dark stained maple cabinets and the travertine tile flooring that gives the appearance of wood and enjoys minimal maintenance.
A finished product by Total Home Remodeling, this metro area wine room is sure to be a crowd pleaser and a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, as it has “comfortable gathering spot” written all over it.
“This is actually more of a wine closet than a wine cellar,” noted Pat Strand, owner of Total Home, who designed and installed it to complement the overall relaxed atmosphere of the space.
The inset wine area contiguous to the sink plays host to an opening station with partial storage on one side and storage space on the other. The wrought iron decorative piece positioned against the travertine tile wall perfectly breaks up the stone work while remaining easy on the eyes. That same tile is used on the wall behind the sink. Undoubtedly, this area leads the pack as one of the highlights of the home.
