Everyday Luxuries: A Winning Wine Cellar

Everyday Luxuries: A Winning Wine Cellar

Adding a wine cellar sounds like the kind of investment that would only make sense in a grand residence- and there are certainly some gorgeous wine cellars in some of Portland’s most gracious homes.

Not everybody has that kind of square footage, of course. Is it possible to carve out a little piece of luxury when all you have to work with is a clean and dry corner of a bungalow basement?

This was the question we hoped to answer as part of our Wine Cellar Giveaway collaboration with Portland Monthly. Our wine cellar winner had a wonderful collection of French and Northwest wines… and absolutely nowhere to store it or display it.

Could Arciform Designer Jeffrey Kelly take this dry but unappealing corner of their basement and turn it into a stylish and functional temperature-controlled wine cellar?

Our first step was to devise a modular, flexible storage rack system that could handle different bottle sizes and shapes (including Magnums) while maintaining a clean and consistent look.

As an additional challenge, we looked for a design that would make use of off-cuts from our custom wood shop, removing waste from the waste stream and re-purposing it in a practical and beautiful way.

The solution: A series of modular rack components constructed from pieces of reclaimed clear vertical grain fir that were salvaged from our custom window manufacture process.

The racks were installed on two walls, providing an extraordinary amount of bottle storage in a tight footprint. Salvaged wood paneling along the accent wall tied the space together while a WhisperKool air conditioning unit keeps the space at the optimum temperature for storing wine. A small wine fridge keeps whites chilled.

See More Stories

Learn how a fireplace can bring warmth, beauty, and timeless character to your kitchen, along with g
By Anne De Wolf November 25, 2025
Learn how a fireplace can bring warmth, beauty, and timeless character to your kitchen, along with guidance for selecting the best type for your space.
Ladd's Addition home listed on National Register of Historic Places.
November 19, 2025
Buying or remodeling a historic Portland home? Understand Historic & Conservation District rules, tax incentives, and the review process so your project preserves character and gets approved smoothly.
November 18, 2025
Planning a remodel in Portland’s Historic or Conservation Districts? Learn 5 key things about the Historic Review process and how Arciform helps homeowners navigate approvals, preserve character, and design thoughtful updates.
Kitchen addition to a 1919 Dutch Colonial.
November 18, 2025
Planning a remodel in Portland’s Historic or Conservation Districts? Arciform specializes in designing and building thoughtful renovations that preserve your home’s historic character while navigating the city’s Historic Review process. Learn how our expertise ensures your project meets all guidelines and enhances your
By Anne De Wolf November 10, 2025
Choosing between fitted and unfitted kitchen design? Our experts guide you through storage solutions, style options, and real project examples to find your perfect fit.
By Anne De Wolf November 8, 2025
Open or closed kitchen for your vintage home? Get expert layout guidance that balances modern living with historic character preservation.
SEE MORE STORIES