I don't think you're crazy at all. Sounds like a great idea. You also might want to post this on HOme Decorating. They have all sorts of ideas on how to accomplish furniture transformations.

I think it could work. I am planning on doing the same to an ugly cabinet that was a piece to a 3 piece wall unit that once belonged to my late grandmother. It's ugly but I don't want to throw it away, planning on transforming it.
I think it's a great idea to find a new function for an old piece and give it a second chance.
Here is a cabinet from Wisteria that gave me the idea:

Here is a link that might be useful: Wisteria cabinet

My cabinetmaker makes wine racks. Maybe you can find a cabinetmaker who can make a custom rack to insert in your armoire along with a new back and slots above for glasses. Good luck, it's great to hear that you're recycling an important piece of furniture.

The big question is how sturdy is the armoire? A lot of entertainment armoire's have okay bases to support the weight of a TV, but the upper part is very lightweight so it can be more easily moved for wiring (and cheaper). I'm not familiar with Bob Timberlake.

You can put in reinforcing braces when you add your wine racks, and take care of any problem. Just make sure to extend it all the way up to provide good support for the glasses as well. If you live in earthquake country you should strap the unit to the studs before you fill it.

Remember, if you're going to store wine in it, keep it well away from sunbeams, outside walls that get sun on them, and heater vents. The dimmest inside area is best.

I was just looking in a Pottery Barn catalog last night (I can't find it online to send you a link), but they made a bar cabinet out of what looks like my old TV entertainment unit. The top doors open, and they installed a pull out tray on rollers (sort of like a keyboard tray but bigger), there are wine glass holders attached to the top for the glasses to hang down, there are places for liquor bottles, wine bottles all built in. I wil keep looking for a picture of it to show you. The catalog is probably from Feb/March. I think the inside of the cabinet is painted white, maybe even a light inside....It was really nice.

Here is one I found, it's not Pottery Barn though:
http://www.wineenthusiast.com/howard-miller-sonoma-armoire-wine-cabinet.asp?AfID=ZSHP

I think I found it!

For some reason, there are 2 porducts pictured...look at the larger one.

Yay. I knew I could track it down!

Here is a link that might be useful: HERE IT IS!

I second Pllog.

You can definitely do this. Particularly if this is a sentimental piece. I have seen armoire conversions of this type in magazines.

I'm not familiar with the brand, or its original intended purpose -- some are not intended to hold much weight at all, and a couple of cases of wine, glasses, pulls etc. -- plus the shelves themselves etc. -- will weigh over 100 pounds. I'd get out everything you want to put into it and take a good look at it as a reality check for bracing needs. You certainly don't want to damage your piece!

So consider the weight and any bracing.

Also consider how the weight is distributed. If it is distributed in an new way, for example, if you put the heavy mirror in the back and heavy wine at the rear back, the unit may not balance right. This is not a reason not to do it, this is just so you don't get caught off guard.

Wendy,
Meant to mention this today. I've seen this a bunch of times in magazines. I think Martha Stewart has done it, and I recall a bunch of pictures on www.bhg.com.
Kristen

googled and I think this one looks pretty sharp. See link.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

I did a google image search "armoire bar" and found oodles of examples. Also saw conversions for kitchen storage, so that's another option.

Friends of mine had one, made out of an antique. It was beautiful and very functional. Mirrors in back, plus a mirror or something to make drinks on. Don't forget lighting--you can get plug-in rope lights or some other cheap solution for the inside that will make it work and look much better.

I have been planning to do this to a cabinet down the road. Shouldn't be too difficult. I LOVE that Wisteria piece btw- had tried to justify getting that, but since we have this other piece that can be converted...

cabinet that we will make into a bar

Actually, we are doing this..only because I cannot yet afford the custom cabinetry that I want in that space at the moment. So, our old knotty pine TV cabinet is our bar. the upper portion is where we make the drinks, there is a shelf above that we put glasses on. the lower portion holds liquor and wine cubbies. It works out very nicely!

I think its a great idea. We have a similar cabinet height/size as Amberly. We special ordered it several years ago and its in burled wood (which makes me droooooool). However, the next year, flat panel tvs became all the rage. It wouldn't house our new big flat panel, but we can't bear to part with that 3/4 height tv armoir. You are giving us new ideas for ours.