OrganizingLA Blog

Expanding Wine Rack - Corral Your Collection

Have you ever purchased a storage solution, installed the solution, and later found out that you still have one or two items that cannot fit because your needs outgrew your planning?

Well, we find this a lot-- especially when it comes to wine storage.  We discovered this puzzle-style storage until in April's Los Angeles Magazine.

Gideon Dagan's "Puzzle" wine rack will expand your offerings.  Lay the bottles down horizontally, therefore keeping the wine for a longer period of time at it's proper position.  Made of transparent recyclable ABS polymer and available in orange or amber. 

If you are in LA, you can snag these at Boom USA at Helms Bakery in Culver City.  The store also has some other neat storage products-- some of them we've spotted at Fred Segal Melrose.

What wine storage solutions have you discovered?  Please share.

A Reader Wood Crately Appreciate Some Advise on Wine Storage Crates

"I am looking to find a good number of wine crates to use for creative displays, organization, shipping, etc. and I was wondering if you knew of any great places in Los Angeles that would donate them, or let me take them off their hands.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Signed, "Kevin Looking for Crates""

Hi Kevin-- Okay, time to stop wining (we just had to say that).  Any crates (wine or whatever) you snag will probably be unfinished or even raw-- made of pine.  I wonder of the quality?  Make sure they're clean, too.

In terms of searching them out locally, in Los Angeles, I would try an upscale wine store, like Greenblatt's Deli, Du Vin on San Vicente/Melrose, Wally's on Westwood, or even Silverlake Wine, owned by Campanile's wine team.  Some of these locations are upscale, approach accordingly. If they don't have any, I would politely inquire if they have any suggestions--- seeing that this is their line of work.

You could also try some wine "warehouses" in LA-- you may have better luck than the smaller stores.  Try the Wine House on Cotner and the Los Angeles Wine Company.

There is a fantastic wine expert at the Ralph's on Wilshire in West LA/Santa Monica, just west of Bundy (north side of street). I purchased 50 bottles of champagne from him last Christmas.  He runs the department and according to him, their Ralph's location is the # 1 location for wine and champagne sales in West LA. Reason I bring this up is that he is very helpful, and while I don't think Ralph's uses wooden crates, he may have some ideas because of his training and resourcefulness.

I would also do a posting for "wanted" on Craigslist or Freecycle.  I have seen some wooden crates used as display pieces at Cost Plus at the Grove.  And finally, I personally discovered some neat crates at a local swap meet, too. I cut them in 1/2, white-washed both sides, and they're now used as beach-inspired wall-mounted shelving in a bathroom.

If timing is tight, perhaps you should just go buy them?

Related Post:

• A new way to track liquid assets.
• Wood organizing products.

Wood Organizing Products

Wood you make the switch and move away from plastic organizing products, if you could?

A down-to-earth client and I have been researching wood-based (or bamboo) organizing products, not necessarily because they're eco-friendly, they're beautiful, functional, and sturdy.

From PlayEngine in the UK, comes this incredible LCD TV (right) and computer monitor (left) made of bamboo.  The components on the cover, except for the buttons, are made entirely of bamboo. The electronic components are lead free and comply with CE and EU safety approvals.

From BusinessChairs.com, comes this Asian Pacific Hardwood Mat (right) perfect to save your carpet.  Bamboo is easier on flooring since bamboo mats don’t use spikes to hold themselves in place.  Made from all-natural products, unlike rubber chair mats which are made from petroleum based products.

Ballard Designs hosts these Grand Cru Wine Crates, crafted of fir with routered plank details and branded on all four sides with a charming label.

If wine isn't your thing, try these barn wood and chalkboard bins, from VivaTerra.  Contain those newspapers, toys and craft supplies in something more earth-friendly, (and stylish.)

This unfinished cedar binder from Wood Box Supply is so unusual, with it's different tones of wood. Ships with a standard 3-hole ring, functional for to-go restaurant menus, a business card carrying case, or household binder.

Wood you know of any earth-friendly, wood or bamboo products?  Please share.

• Source:  Oh Gizmo (story idea and photo)