Recognized as a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Contractor of the Year (CotY) award-winner.

Our clients Kevin and Nathan, are new residents of Madison, Wisconsin. They found us online not long after buying their home. They visited our office to interview Dave Duewel, Senior Designer, and Abe Degnan, President of Degnan Design-Build-Remodel. Dave shared a recently-designed contemporary project full of texture and geometry, so Kevin and Nathan quickly chose to engage us to begin their lower-level bar design. They had the vision of turning an unused alcove in the lower level of their split-level home into a bar. Still, They didn't know exactly how it would come together. In the end, they received more than they ever imagined, thanks to incorporating an adjacent space as a wine cellar to display a small collection. Both homeowners have a keen eye for design and were open to new ideas. Their aesthetic capabilities and open-mindedness allowed us to refine every detail in this finished basement bar project's design.

Click on the images below to view them full screen and watch the video at the bottom of the page.

Fulfilling Our Clients Requests

Our clients had a wish list for their new wet bar and wine cellar that included a larger-than-bar sink, and an under-counter wine chiller, and beverage fridge. They also requested a spot for their framed, 3-dimensional Iowa Hawkeyes logo, and storage for various wine and cocktail glasses and dishes for entertaining. The design was to be contemporary in keeping with the feel of the rest of the house, but more timeless than trendy so as not to grow old quickly and negatively affect a future home sale.

A New Lower-Level Wet Bar

Our team was able to achieve all of or clients' goals. They chose a timeless design that is both transitional and contemporary and stayed away from trendy finishes or colors that would require replacement soon. The bar sink is large enough to use an Insinkerator, and its round bowl matches the overall curvy look of the space well. We provided a dishwasher, beverage fridge, wine chiller, and even included a "wine cellar" under the stairway.

An Unforeseen Wine Cellar and Tasting Table

The lower level alcove space was nonfunctional before the beginning of this project. During the design process, we determined it to be the perfect location for a fully stocked bar. The adjacent area beneath the stairway was an ideal location for a wine cellar and counter for opening and decanting. A custom, oversized access panel inside the cabinet allows the clients to access to the space below the stairway landing.

This efficient use of the available space is where occasionally-used items are stored.

A butcher block countertop in the wine cellar is the ideal surface for removing stubborn corks and pouring wine into expensive stemware. It also provides guests easy access to snacks during events.

Ingenious Design

The use of the woven wire grille in the upper cabinets is not just a design statement. It is also a functional solution. Located above the bar sink is a double return air intake, which serves a significant portion of the lower level. This air intake could not be relocated without significant drywall and mechanical work. The solution we decided upon was to hide the return grille in plain sight. The recessed cabinet's woven wire doors open to reveal the black-painted interior, allowing the needed airflow back to the furnace. The look and solution were repeated as a design feature in the two cabinets left and right of the return grille. No one would be any the wiser without opening the doors.

This split-level home gained highly desired features. The appeal of the entire lower level has dramatically enhanced with the inclusion of the wet bar and wine cellar.

 
 
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Project Design

Dave Duewel,
Senior Designer

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Lead Carpenter

PJ Ender,
CLC, CRPM

 
“Design team is fantastic! Construction crew also fantastic! PJ is an incredibly skilled carpenter. The overall project was incredible from design to construction.”
— Kevin K.
 
 

Award-Winning Project

We proudly announce that this bar was awarded TWO awards!
First, the NARI Madison 2020 CotY award for Residential Interior Element Over $30K.
Second, the NARI National Region 3 2021 award for the same category.

Download the Before-After Case Study Here.