Featured design:  Basement Re-Do

My approach went against current thinking. The original basement had an open floor plan. Knowing the client desired to separate the adults from the kids I had to rethink the footprint. There was a functional kitchenette surrounded by linoleum flooring.  Carpet was carried throughout the remaining space, not to mention, loads of kid’s electronics, lego sets and a myriad of toys.  My proposed plan was to divide and conquer. A new entryway with French doors to the new kids den area would be created. A new dividing wall would continue on the back side of the stairs to evenly divide the basement in half, thus allowing for a “kids side” and an “adults side”.

I further divided the kids den by extending a wall that already housed the sump pump in order to create a storage room.  By adding wood shelving this created maximum storage space. The kids area received additional storage by framing out a support pole in the middle of the room and running a half wall with built in shelving back to the outer wall.   This created two separate entertainment areas in the kids den, allowing for two gaming system/telivisions to run at the same time.  Wall to wall carpeting was installed to provide comfort and durability.

For the adult side the kitchen was removed. Flooring throughout the entire area was replaced with Luxury Vinyl Tile in Propeller Brown.  LTV offers the realistic look of hardwood, is resistant to water damage, has click and lock installation, and provided a lower price point.  The flooring was carried throughout the adult space and into an adjacent powder room thus providing flow and consistency.  Walls were painted Behr’s “Mineral Gray” with the largest wall painted as an accent wall in a purple hue “Enigma”.  Recessed lighted strategically placed throughout the space prevented the room from looking like a dark basement.  Additional accent lighting was added for ambience. 

The bar replaced the footprint of the original kitchen.  Kemper Echo Cabinetry in color “barn on dark ale” was chosen.  A beverage refrigerator, wine rack and trash receptacle were added for convenience.  The client then built the front serving bar. Granite countertops in a light shade of gray and white were chosen to contrast nicely against the cabinetry. The client chose American Tin Ceiling Company Pattern #12 in Silver Burnt Umber for the bar backsplash as well as bar facade details.  Throughout the entire adult space we carried the metallic accents of nickel and copper.  A bar-height glass table provided additional seating in an adjacent alcove for eating or card playing.  The intricate copper and metal details on the table added further sophistication to the space.  The entertainment unit and coffee table in the seating area were a rare find.  “The Shabby Attic”, re-purposed two dressers by refinishing them in an aged rubbed-black finish.  Nickel knobs and wheels added unique detail and were duplicated in the hardware for the bar cabinetry.

 

  A quaint seating area is positioned at the base of the stairwell as a client waiting area. Thus providing my clients guests the professional entryway and space she longed for.

 Photos by: Jon Friedman