How exciting for you! It sounds like a built-in will serve many purposes and afford you a lot of new storage. I definitely like the first option much better because of a number of reasons: (1) unless you buy and store a huge amount of wine, the second area pictured will end up looking very sad with many empty wine spots. Think about how much wine you would realistically be storing there on a daily basis, minus the wines you'll be storing in a wine fridge. and plan accordingly. (2) The first built-in will give you a better mix of storage options. I have a somewhat similar set-up and use the shallow drawers for storing my napkins, napkin rings, placemats, and silver flatware. Very handy! In my dining room I also have deeper drawers where I store tablecloths, runners , candles and various candle holders, etc., as we eat there six nights a week, plus weekend breakfasts and I like to set nice tables every time. (3) The continuous counter area across the first will definitely come in handy when entertaining. (4) I'm not a big fan of TVs in the dining room, but the space there would be great for a nice piece of art or perhaps some open shelving if you're not putting in a TV. A couple of other things to think about: * The door frames on the first are quite wide, which limits displaying crystal barware or china inside very effectively. You may like that or want to go with glass doors that allow your pieces to be more visible. If the second option is preferred, lights inside the cabs, glass shelves so that the entire cabinet is lighted and even mirrored backs inside the cabs will greatly help that. * Install electrical outlets, at least in that middle area, if not also at both ends, to plug in a lamp, blender for drinks, warming trays, etc. They really come in handy when entertaining! * Think about what exactly you want to store and display before deciding on drawer sizes and cabs. It looks like the middle bottom cab in that first pic has a solid door, which is great for storing items you need in there, but don't necessarily want on display. * I opted to have bottom cabs with solid doors and slide-out shelves in mine. I love that I don't have to get down on my hands and knees to access things down there. If you go that route, just make sure there is a nice size lip around the edge to keep your things from falling off the back. I use mine to store another 2 sets of dishes and many of my serving pieces. Gosh, is that handy! * Last, my advice is to go with a wood tone that will stand the test of time . . . and be resale friendly. Get your color from what you display there and any art, linens, upholstery, etc. you use. These can be changed much easier than cabinet colors. Keep us posted on your progress. Lynn

I am trying again, I have responded to everyone posts and it just disappears as soon as I hit submit! No sink due to budget mostly, plus I don't really like to look at a sink in the great room. I've learned how to function without so won't miss what I've never had I guess. Cocktails and wine will be mostly with meals when it's just us, when we have guests it may be more out on the covered porch and the dining area. I've moved it and think y'all are right, works better there but is it odd to have right outside the master? When we entertain I tend to batch mix a couple of standard cocktails a few days in advance (I store in swing top bottles) and then have the fixings for a signature drink to go with the meal, plus wine. It's my favorite part of the meal lol, hubby does the menu and then I focus on cocktails and dessert.

We used the Hahn as the main sink and this one in the bar/coffee area: 16" Ticor PLZ-05 Arlo Series 18-Gauge Stainless Steel Undermount Single Basin Kitchen and Bar Sink It's been a great every day size for filling the coffee pot, rinsing, etc. and great to function as a secondary place to fill with ice and bottles of beer, wine, etc. with the counter set up with cups, glasses, mixers, etc.

So, it took a while, but we have our wine niche. The carpenter just added the glass shelving today. We do plan to do something with the back wall of the niche. I thought wallpaper, but have been impressed with some of the metallic stenciling projects I have seen and it would allow us to change our minds without a lot of work. We are happy with the work, now to moving some nice glassware to the shelves.