Out of the closet

Sometimes, with a bit of creativity, space can indeed be pulled out of the air, even when there appears to be very little or nothing available.

The couple who own the apartment featured here are wine aficionados; he enjoys collecting it, she sells it to hotels and restaurants, and they both like to have impromptu tastings with friends.

"We wanted our new apartment to reflect this interest, but in a high-rise there aren't many places to locate a wine cellar," says owner Janelle Gordon.

While making plans to renovate the whole apartment, interior designer Shelly Handman found that enough space for a wine storage area could be created by making the hallway beside the kitchen narrower and reducing the size of closet in the bedroom behind.

"This created an area 11ft long and 3ft deep, adjacent to the kitchen and large enough to provide storage for 1000 bottles and magnums of wine," says Gordon.

"We liked the idea of having the wine close to the kitchen. It is convenient and integrates with the open-plan kitchen and the living spaces next door. Also, the wine isn't shut away, but instead is incorporated into the apartment. It's our art."

Handman selected a mid-tone walnut for the wood trim on the glazed doors.

"This finish matches the aesthetics of the kitchen. It works well with the lighter rift-sawn oak of the kitchen cabinetry, and at the same time allows the wine cabinets to stand out. The wine and cabinets add interest to what had been a dull hall," says the designer.

Story by: Mary Webb