In today's Instructable, I will show you how I built this wooden design bottle rack. The idea is to have a bottle rack that has a value, not only functional but also aesthetic. Which can then be inserted, with pride, even in elegant and refined environments. For example in places such as restaurants, wine bars, but also elegant lounges and cellars. In this perspective, however, the bottle must be partly hidden, and protected from sunlight, while remaining legible and easily accessible. The result of my design research is what you see in the pictures. To build it, I used the wood that I had at home, but there can certainly be more modern variants, with very light or very dark woods.

Step 1: Sketch

As always, I started this project with a sketch.

The sketch was created during the last Inktober challenge. Those who follow me maybe will remember it. This sketch then remained in the drawer for a few months.

I made this sketch on toned tan paper, using markers, ink pens, and a white pencil.

Step 2: Cutting the Side Pannels

I did not print the drawings in 1: 1 scale for this project because it was not necessary, but I printed some scaled quoted drawings instead. To create the side panels of the bottle holder I used one-inch thick ash boards that I cut the right width. I then marked them with a pencil and cut the necessary length with a Japanese saw.

Step 3: The Side Holes

To make the holes for the bottles I needed a large hole saw drill bit that I did not have. I decided to use my palm router instead. I used a small self-made jig to make the holes of the exact dimensions. I first marked the centers and made a small hole that was used to insert the nail that was on my jig. This was the rotation pin for my router. I then made the holes by doing a few passes at incremental depths.

Step 4: Making of the Shelves

Once all the holes have been made, I cut all the shelves for the bottles from a half-inch thick panel. I then made an assembly simulation to verify that everything was correctly sized. On the sides of each shelf, I made two holes to insert some dowels. In this case too, I made a quick jig that helped me to drill the holes perpendicularly to the piece.

Step 5: Glueing Up the Shelves

I then cut the back panel from a 9mm multilayer panel. After marking the position of the shelves on this panel, I glued up all the shelves. I used a strong wood glue and some corner clamps.

Step 6: Internal Painting

I wanted the inner housing for the bottles to be dark so that it blended in with the dark color of the wine bottles. So I painted the inside of the bottle holder in black, using water-based paint and a small paint roller.

Step 7: Fixing the Side Panels

To fix the side panels, I first made the holes for the dowels in correspondence with the holes on the shelves. I then proceeded to insert the dowels into the holes, I spread some glue and fixed the side panels, using a wooden hammer to help me.

Step 8: The Front Panels

To create the shaped front panels, I started from a 9mm plywood sheet. I first marked the cutting lines with a pencil. I used some paper templates that I had previously printed. I then cut the individual pieces from the panel with my bandsaw. Subsequently, I polished the curves with a small orbital sander to make them more uniform and all equal. I then veneered them with pre-glued veneer using a small iron.

Step 9: Final Glue Up

In the inside of the shelves, I glued up some foam to make the bottles rest a little softer. I then fixed the front panels in place using the usual wood glue.