Alternative Title:  The Wine Shrine on a Dime

As you probably know (based on my last blog post) I wasn’t super pumped about the bar area in our family room.  I LOVED that it was there, I just didn’t love it as it WAS.

The bar had many fatal flaws, including the following:

• A layout that blocked off the bar area from the rest of the family room
• Fugly colours
• A peninsula that was over the average bar height, making it awkward to sit at
• A big bare back wall that was hard to decorate – it was awkward no matter WHAT I did
• No room for a wine fridge

Let me repeat that last point – NO ROOM FOR A WINE FRIDGE.  Epic fail.

So, when we did my office renovation, it only made sense to redo the flooring.  And with re-doing the flooring it ONLY made sense to redo the BAR.  Why?  Because that’s how I roll and really, I can convince Tim of just about anything if I wear the right pants.

However,  seeing how this area was tagging on to the end of my office remodel, I had to be careful with the costs.  And sure, I say ‘on a dime’, but really, it was a weeee bit more than a dime.  That being said, I’ve worked on homes with bars and wine rooms that cost 10’s of thousands, so really, what I spent is just a drop in the bucket – or that’s what I tell Tim anyway.

Before:  This was the view when you stood near the back of the family room with the bar to the left…

After:  Now this is the view…

Before:  This was the view from inside the bar, into the family room.

After:  And this is the view now…

That’s right  – no more sneaky bar popping up and the light now FLOODS into the rest of the family room!  But where did the bar go?

There it is!

Instead of repeating the ‘L’ shape, I wanted a simple back bar that was ‘part’ of the family room, but more of a backdrop than a block.  And keep in mind, a decorator I am – a photographer I am not, so I do my best!

Before:  Right idea.  Just joking.

After:  It’s like a TOTALLY different space.

The Wine Shrine

Sure, I’ve seen my fair share of cubbies and crosses holding dozens of wine bottles, but I wasn’t going for ‘bulk’ storage – I was going for beauty (and affordability).  I wanted something unique, that you just don’t see anywhere, but that still fell in line with the rest of our home.  And I found it.  Well, I didn’t really ‘find’ it.  I drew up what I wanted and had a creative fellow named Kevin make it for me.

And I loved it UNTIL I talked to my friend Christian who HAPPENED to have some 100 year old barn boards that just SCREAMED ‘wine display’.  And seeing as Christian has made several pieces around our home I just knew I had to take it to the next level.

This is undoubtedly my FAVE DIY type project I’ve ever done (or not done really, Christian did it, but I cheered him on!).

I chose the same gray quartz countertop that went in our main bathroom remodel as I love the versatile range of neutrals in it.

And of course, Tim’s contribution…it ain’t a home bar without a little Gord Downie!

Seriously, just look at this wood (if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that…).

Costs

Wine and beverage fridges:  Lowes $499 each.  That might look like a double-unit, but it’s actually 2 separate pieces that we just reversed the doors on and butted together.  At $499 a piece, we saved some good moula.

Countertop:  Caesarstone Bianco Drift and undermount sink $1900.  We did not…save any money with this choice, but it had to be done.

Cabinets:  Mid Island Cabinets $1800.  I love the soft gray of the cabinets and how it plays with Bianco Drift.  In the words of the great Goldilocks – not too dark, not too light – juuust right.

Wall mount wine racks:  Drift Designs in Wood $80 each.   Mad love.

Paint Colour:  Sherwin Williams Cyberspace

Grand Total:  Approx $5000

So there you have, the family room complete!

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