A Curved Wine Cellar in Manhattan Beach That’s the Pinnacle of Custom Details!

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A remarkable curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach in California has been masterfully integrated beneath a staircase, showcasing a blend of modern aesthetics and functional design. This 2000+ bottle capacity wine cellar features custom brass rods with leather cradles, white oak finishes, and meticulous attention to detail. The unique curvature of the staircase created a dramatic radius wall, enhancing the visual appeal and complexity of the project.

The cellar’s standout features include a sophisticated racking system that accommodates various bottle sizes, from 750mL to 6-liter bottles to magnum bottles, and versatile cove trays for decanting and storage. A concealed cooling system, engineered to maintain optimal conditions without visible fixtures, complements the design. The sleek door system by Maiden Steel and strategically placed lighting further elevate the cellar’s elegance and functionality, ensuring it meets both aesthetic and practical needs.

Despite the challenges posed by the location, Vintage Cellars successfully transformed the under-staircase space into a luxurious wine display and storage area. This project not only highlights the company’s expertise in handling complex designs but also their commitment to delivering bespoke wine cellars that cater to individual client preferences.

What It Takes to Build a Curved Wine Cellar Under the Stairs

The idea of a curved wine cellar is complex enough to achieve but curved AND under-the-stairs is almost impossible! Indeed, it is a risky and unworkable design. But somehow, as demonstrated in this project in Manhattan Beach, what’s impossible can be made possible with a skillful and talented team of wine cellar builders. This isn’t just a storage space for wine; it’s a statement of artistry and functionality, harmoniously blending with the home’s modern aesthetic. From the moment you lay eyes on the curved wine cellar, you are drawn into a world where every detail has been thoughtfully considered and executed to perfection.

As you step closer, you can sense the immense effort and precision that went into transforming a challenging space below a staircase into a wine lover’s paradise. The curved radius wall, a dramatic feature born from the staircase above, immediately catches your attention. It’s not just a design element but a testament to the ingenuity and creativity that defines this project.

This unique under-the-stair wine cellar is one of Vintage Cellars biggest feats. In this project, the team collaborated with premier designer Debra Hakimi of Paul Davis Architects . It’s a collaborative effort that aims to present a showpiece that’s functional, innovative, and elegant.

Why a Curved Wine Cellar and Why Under the Stairs?

Before flipping the area into a wine storage, the room was just a plain square shaped room under a flight of curved stairs. The owners’ passion for wines inspired them to turn it into an under the stairs wine cellar. Quickly, they contacted Vintage Cellars to build a 2000+ bottle capacity cellar that’s fine and functional.

Curving the wall was not in the original plan, but the creative minds behind this project decided to do something extraordinary. After all, following the curvature of the stairs would maximize the wine cellar’s space instead of working with a smaller square room. This curved wine cellar design would also make the entire space an aesthetically modern structure.

Appreciating the Radius Wall: How Do You Build a Curved Wall with Wine Racking?

Vintage Cellars’ senior project manager, Dean, along with the installation team did a remarkable and flawless job executing the curved wall design. It involved the meticulous process of templating, which was necessary to ensure that each piece of wood conforms perfectly to the space, creating a seamless and elegant appearance. The team first took detailed measurements and created a template that captures the exact curvature of the area. This template is then used offsite to cut the wood into sections that will form the curved structure. Each piece is carefully shaped to fit together, allowing the curve to appear smooth and continuous. Once the pieces are ready, they are brought back to the site and assembled to ensure a perfect fit, resulting in a beautifully crafted wine cellar that enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space.

A Symphony of Modern Design and Functionality

This wine cellar isn’t just about storing bottles; it’s about creating an environment that celebrates the art of wine collecting. The intricate design and curve of the space posed a challenge to Vintage Cellars, but a challenge is what we like. It gives us a chance to flex our innovative and design muscles and create something completely unique.

The modern design is both sleek and functional, offering a space that is as beautiful as it is practical. From its use of neutral color palette – brown and black – with rustic feel to the cohesive and clean lines, anyone with an eye for design will find the wine cellar a contemporary masterpiece. The attention to detail ensures that every bottle is stored safely and stylishly, ready to be admired or served at a moment’s notice. Let’s explore the various components that make this wine cellar truly unique.

A Versatile Racking System for a Curved Wine Cellar in Manhattan Beach

The racking system in this wine cellar is a work of art. Crafted with brass rods and leather wine bottle cradles, it not only provides a secure place for each bottle but also adds a touch of luxury to this under-the-stair wine cellar.

The radius wall, with its carefully measured curvature, required a custom approach to ensure that the racking followed its unique shape perfectly. The result is a seamless integration of form and function, where the racking system enhances the overall aesthetic while providing practical storage solutions.

Leather Cradles: Adding Flair and Security

The leather cradles were specifically done for this curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach. The leather comes in different sleek finishes, colors, and powder coat stains. These leather cradles were integrated into the metal rods or wine pegs.

Aesthetically, this special addition created a mid-century modern vibe or transitional even, especially when mixed with contemporary elements. But these leather cradles were not placed there solely for style, but also for security. Natural occurrence such as an earthquake could shake the structure and cause the bottles to fall off. These leather cradles would keep the wine bottles in place. Talk about innovative architecture!

The Huge 2000+ Bottle Capacity

With a capacity to hold over 2000 bottles, this wine cellar is designed to accommodate a vast and varied collection. Whether you are storing individual 750mL bottles, magnums, or larger 3-liter and 6-liter bottles, there is a place for each one. The thoughtful design ensures that every bottle is easily accessible and displayed to its best advantage, making it a pleasure to manage and enjoy your collection.

Cove Tray for Decanting and Storage/Backside

Following the curve and going deeper into the wine cellar, you’ll find the cove trays. These are among the standout features of this curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach. The cove trays are versatile letting you to lay 750 ml bottles, three-liter bottles, and magnums horizontally. If you happen to collect in bulk, this space works as case storage, too. Not only do the cove trays provide additional storage options, the area also serves as a convenient place for decanting wine or display area for wine glasses, artwork, etc.

The flexibility to move and place these trays wherever you like adds to the functionality of the space, allowing you to personalize it to suit your needs.

Door System by Maiden Steel

The door system, crafted by Maiden Steel , is a masterpiece of design and engineering. Maiden Steel is Vintage Cellars top partner in the industry. Known for their top-of-the-line metalwork for custom doors, steel doors, or any type of decorative pieces made out of steel, Maiden Steel has created a door for this curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach that is both beautiful and functional.

With dual-pane insulated glass, weather stripping, and a minimalist frame, the door provides an unobstructed view into the curved glass wine cellar while maintaining the necessary climate control. Meanwhile, the door’s lock is located at the bottom giving it a bigger frame. The attention to detail in the door’s design ensures that it complements the overall aesthetic of the wine cellar perfectly.

Installing the door though posed a challenge because of the space’s curved orientation. The team had to build a cleat on the curved wall that allowed them to set up the enclosure. The cleat gave it a flat surface where the door was attached and sealed fully.

A Cooling System Carefully Picked and Installed for this Curved Wine Cellar in Manhattan Beach Home

Maintaining the perfect temperature for your wine collection is crucial, and this wine cellar does so with an advanced HS split cooling system. Ingeniously hidden behind the racking system, the cooling unit is accessible through a removable section of the rack. This clever design ensures that the cooling system is out of sight, maintaining the clean lines of the space, while still providing the optimal environment for your wine. 

Achieving a 100% clean finish by hiding the mechanicals

The curved design isn’t the only amazing thing about this under-the-stair-wine cellar. The discreet placement of the cooling system will also be a wonder, and unless someone points out its location, you won’t find a trace of it. That’s how clever the installation is as a commitment to clean, aesthetic style.  In this curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach, right at the horizontal bottle opening on the left wall are three sections. The third one underneath the rack is removable and behind that rack is another space where the cooling unit is installed. To access the cooling system, a technician would have to crawl into the space behind the rack where a register acts as the return air for the wine cellar. This design achieves the client’s preference for a clean finish, which means keeping the mechanicals hidden from view. This clean, modern style has become a popular theme in higher end homes. 

How the cooling system works

Typically, it’s a challenging task to completely hide the mechanicals in a structure like a curved wine cellar, but Vintage Cellars team was able to make it happen. The idea is for the register to pull in the air through 3 /4 by 4 1/2-inch bottle space opening factoring in the lattice racks. This way, the system gets a lot of air flow.  But as much as possible, the client must limit the number of wine bottles stocked in front of the register and utilize the top and bottom spaces instead. It is best to leave the middle section open to keep the air flowing freely.

Highlighting the supply system

The supply system for this curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach operates by taking in air from the cellar, cooling it, and then reintroducing the cold air back into the space. Notably, there are no visible grills or vents in the ceiling. Instead, a chase was recreated at the top of the rack, which functions as a plenum to allow cold air to flow down through the rack. This setup features a void at the top of the rack that acts as a channel, directing the air from the top down into the cellar. As air enters through this channel, it is blown down and distributed into the room without the need for visible registers.  This method ensures efficient air distribution while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the cellar. Interestingly, this innovative cooling system has been designed to keep the space visually uncluttered, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the wine cellar.

Using White Oak for a Curved Wine Cellar

White oak is a prominent feature in this curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach, chosen to match the rest of the home's design. The custom stain finish on the white oak adds warmth and elegance to the space, creating a cohesive look that ties in with other areas of the house. The use of white oak not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds to the durability and functionality of the wine cellar.   

Awe-Inspiring Lighting System that Gets You in the Right Mood

Lighting plays a crucial role in the design of this curved wine cellar. Extensive planning went into how the team wanted to light up the leather cradles and radius wall where the horizontal bottles are located.   Accent lighting is integrated into the racking to illuminate the bottles through a channel behind the vertical post. This serves as the perfect location to ensure that the wall is fully lit, while the light bounces off to the entire space.  Meanwhile, Vintage Cellars left the main lighting in the ceiling in the hands of a remarkable independent lighting designer. Overall, the careful placement of the lights creates a welcoming ambiance that enhances the overall experience of the wine cellar. 

Working with a Uniquely Challenging Location

Transforming a space beneath a staircase into a functional and beautiful wine cellar was no small feat. The curvature of the staircase above created a dramatic radius wall inside the wine cellar, presenting a unique challenge for the design and installation team. The solution required meticulous planning and innovative thinking to ensure that every element of the wine cellar fit perfectly into the curved space. The custom racking system had to be designed to follow the curvature of the wall precisely, requiring careful measurement and craftsmanship. Additionally, the cooling system and lighting needed to be integrated seamlessly into the design without compromising the aesthetic or functionality of the space. The result is a wine cellar that not only fits perfectly into its unique location but also enhances the overall design of the home.

The Perfect Curved Wine Cellar in Manhattan Beach

This stunning curved wine cellar in Manhattan Beach is a testament to the skill and creativity of the team at Vintage Cellars. Our team has taken a challenging space and transformed it into a beautiful and functional curved wine cellar that meets the highest standards of design and craftsmanship. The curved radius wall, the custom racking system, and the thoughtful integration of cooling and lighting systems all come together to create a space that is both practical and visually stunning. Vintage Cellars has always created custom wine cellars that not only meet the needs of our clients but also exceed their expectations. If you are considering adding a wine cellar to your home, browse through our website for design ideas and inspiration. Contact Vintage Cellars at +1 (310) 359-8144 to discuss your project and see how we can help you create the perfect wine cellar for your home.

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