Thread: Custom made wine rack under stairs

This was a project i completed for my mother-inlaw as she was having trouble storing her wines when i suggested using the storage under her second level stairs as a cellar, consequently over a few more bottles of wine later, a plan was hatched and i was commisioned to build her a custom one off wine rack all up to my own design, as you can imagine, the square area was an issue so that was most important, the first stage was to revamp the whole storeroom, after replastering and laying a granite marble floor to help keep things cool, it then took me 3 woodshows to finally find the exact timber and profile i was looking for, then the challenge was on.
The timber in question was Marri i was after, for the frame strength, i used red silky hardwood, man does that stuff splinter no end, a lot of swear words used when handling that stuff.
Also part of the build was to make a bench that fitted snug in the back section for all the little nick knacks you get with a cellar, also of the same timbers.
After many designs and ideas going back and forth, i eventually came up with this, one side contains Marri whilst the other side, red silky hardwood, seemed a waste to put marri on a side you cant see, the dowels are made from tasmainain oak, which every single one hand scalloped to make the wine bottle rest securely, not a easy task.
To secure it to the wall, i used a offcut from the marri as a natural shape, dyna bolted to the wall then made timber plugs which are removable to cover the bolts, the in law was most impressed knowing she can remove it without damaging it.
Once i had placed the dowels through the timber, my intention was to cut them off flush but once i did it, i really liked the way they stood out as a feature but some of them had where i drilled the holes had gaps showing,minor ones but enough to annoy me, so later a few more beers sitting looking at it, light bulb moment, i made individual custom made jarrah rectangle washes with chamfored edges and glued them over the dowels hiding the minor mistakes and created a whole new dimension to the look, well pleased.
The rack itself will hold 72 bottles, as you will see, i drilled 4 large holes in the side of the Marri, i kept looking at it thinking the first thing you will see is the solid Marri, needed to break it up, this gives the illusion of being able to see through the rack at the bottles.
The photos are not of good quality but hoping to provide some better close up pictures, this is my first major piece i have made in years, this took me approximately 2 months in between working as you do but suffice to say, the mother inlaw was well chuffed as i kept it a surprise to the very end, she now conducts tours to the cellar lol.
The finish on it all was hard burnishing oil, dozens of sanding orbital pads later and got it feeling like glass, i hope you enjoy the piece like i enjoyed making it.
Dan. ( Pratty)