2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

The old-world look of a cobble stone patio, walkway, or driveway is the perfect choice to compliment architecture with old European or early American style. Cobble stone paver has a open spacer joint design, making it ideal for use in permeable paver applications. Photo: Barkman Concrete Ltd.

The entryway of this Sterling, VA home makes a statement with an elegant staircase featuring Antique Java Fossilized® flooring. The flooring continues onto the second story for a seamless, inviting look and feel.

Close up of local limestone used for ledge steps
This is an example of a rustic landscaping in Austin.

Transitional dining room photo in New York

David Morello
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Houston.

Example of a large classic master carpeted bedroom design in Detroit with gray walls and no fireplace

We expanded an existing deck with new stairs, railing, decking, deck board design, lighting, complete with all post and beam wraps. All decking you see is Zuri decking with Timbertech Rail Systems. We installed riser lights up the stairs with post caps on top of all posts.

Custom built Wine Cellar with Douglas Fir Backing and LED surround lighting.
Example of a small trendy porcelain tile and white floor wine cellar design in Los Angeles with storage racks

Reclaimed Antique Wormy Chestnut flooring is a rare and beautiful thing. Wormy chestnut is a strong and easy to saw timber that was prized for its resistance to decay and was widely used in various applications. Sadly an Asian bark fungus decimated the chestnut population of the US in the mid 1900’s and this once staple product in American construction was all but wiped out. Jewett Farms + Co’s Reclaimed Antique Wormy Chestnut wide plank flooring is strong and straight grained with color tones that range from light tan to dark chocolate. These reclaimed floors prominently features worm holes, saw marks and sound cracks. Reclaimed wormy chestnut is sourced from barns, houses and factories where, because of its strength and durability, it was used for just about anything – joists, boards or roof rafters. Jewett Farms + Co’s Reclaimed Antique Wormy Chestnut wide plank flooring is available to be shipped throughout the United States from our New England headquarters.

Tuftex Casablanca pattern carpet

Granite Prestige
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Montreal

Bathroom - bathroom idea in Cincinnati

Vicenza Grigio Limestone
Inspiration for a large coastal backyard concrete paver patio remodel with no cover

Inspiration for a small industrial metal straight staircase remodel in Chicago with metal risers

Masland Tristan stair runner fabricated in New Rochelle
Example of a classic staircase design in New York

The Tanglewood is a Donald A. Gardner plan with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This 2,500 square foot home is near completion and custom built in Grey Fox Forest in Shelby, NC. Like the Smart Construction, Inc. Facebook page or follow us on Instagram at scihomes.dream.build.live to follow the progress of other Craftsman Style homes. DREAM. BUILD. LIVE. www.smartconstructionhomes.com