Design Tips:

Bars That Serve
How To Become The Most Popular Host(ess)

By Olga Adler

The summer is almost here and so is the entertaining season, and with the current
economic climate home parties are hotter than ever. Wine seems to be the drink of
choice for many occasions - a glass of wine can dress up any lunch or dinner and
make a gathering of friends and family more festive. Whether you would like to start a
collection or if you have leftover bottles after a party, proper wine storage is a concern.
If you are not going to drink the wine within weeks then you need to have a storage
strategy. Wine is sensitive to changes in temperature and in humidity - experts
recommend storing wine at a constant temperature of 55 degrees F and humidity at
about 75%. Wine does not like vibrations and air quality is an important factor to
consider as well. Cork is very porous so storing your bottles in the basement next to the
oil tank or cans of old paint is not the greatest idea - over time cork will absorb the
chemical vapors that will damage the wine.

A Walk-In for Your Vino?
Whether you plan to hold 40, 400 or 4,000 bottles there are countless storage options
available to wine lovers. A walk-in cellar is a collector’s dream and the best option for
larger collections (turns out it works not only for wine – have you seen that Heineken
commercial?). Furnished with climate control systems, inventory software and custom
racking made of cedar, mahogany or redwood a wine cellar may also include a
tasting area with table and seating as well as custom tile murals and cobbled stone
floors. A walk-in cellar has to be properly insulated with plastic vapor barrier and there
has to be a source of fresh air for the climate control system to work properly although
enclosed air systems also exist. Choosing the right lighting is also important as bulbs that
produce too much heat will interfere with the cooling system. I also like to install door
jamb light switches to make sure the light turns off automatically when you leave the
room. An electronic keypad will protect your collection from unwanted visitors.

If dedicating a separate room is not an option then, the next best thing is a wine fridge,
which can hold from 20 to 200 bottles.  A much more flexible option, a fridge can be
placed in any room of the house. But what if you do not want the “fridge look” in your
family room, kitchen or living room? That’s when custom cabinetry comes to the rescue
and your imagination is the only limit. A cabinet that houses a wine fridge or two can
become a central feature in any room without revealing its purpose until the door
opens. And when it does open, the fridge acts as your wine central with everything you
need for your next wine tasting party: glasses, decanters and all your wine accessories
as well as cheese boards, knives and plates.

Not Just Wine
If cocktails are what makes your guests happy then I can clearly see a wet bar in your
future. Outfitted with granite or travertine top, a bronze or copper sink and an ice
maker, a wet bar is every party’s entertainment central. Don’t worry about your teen-
agers ransacking your liquor collection while you are at work – locking options are
available for your fridges and cabinets, and I even design secret drawers and doors
that can hold anything from the “golden key” to special bottles and bar accessories.
Usually located in butler pantry, family room or library your wet bar design can
complement other cabinetry in the house or be a world of its own sometimes inspired
by a distinct style of your favorite vacation spot like Napa Valley, Tuscany or Provence.


Olga Adler is an interior designer with design studio in Ridgefield. Her company Olga
Adler Interiors is dedicated to life-style driven design. You can email your questions or
comments to: olga@olgaadlerinteriors.com or call 203-438-4743.
May 2009