The basement bar area includes eye catching metal elements to reflect light around the neutral colored room. New new brass plumbing fixtures collaborate with the other metallic elements in the room. The polished quartzite slab provides visual movement in lieu of the dynamic wallpaper used on the feature wall and also carried into the media room ceiling. Moving into the media room we included custom ebony veneered wall and ceiling millwork, as well as luxe custom furnishings. New architectural surround speakers are hidden inside the walls. The new gym was designed and created for the clients son to train for his varsity team. We included a new custom weight rack. Mirrored walls, a new wallpaper, linear LED lighting, and rubber flooring. The Zen inspired bathroom was designed with simplicity carrying the metals them into the special copper flooring, brass plumbing fixtures, and a frameless shower.

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Jeff Beck Photography

Back bar decorative tile with backlit reclaimed wood shelves. Our client wanted to finish the basement of his home where he and his wife could enjoy the company of friends and family and spend time at a beautiful fully stocked bar and wine cellar, play billiards or card games, or watch a movie in the home theater. The cabinets, wine cellar racks, banquette, barnwood reclaimed columns, and home theater cabinetry were designed and built in our in-house custom cabinet shop. Our company also supplied and installed the home theater equipment.

Basement, bar area, wood, curved seating, hard wood floor, bar lighting,

5) 12’ by 7’ L-shaped walk behind wet bar with custom stained and lacquered, recessed paneled, maple/cherry, front bar face, ‘Aristokraft’ raised or recessed panel, cherry base cabinetry (www.aristokraft.com ) with room for owner supplied refrigerator, ice machine, beer tap, etc. and (2) level granite slab countertop (level 1 material allowance with standard edge- http://www.capcotile.com/products/slabs) and 5’ back bar with Aristokraft brand recessed or raised panel cherry base cabinets and upper floating shelves ( http://www.aristokraft.com ) with full height ‘Thin Rock’ genuine stone ‘backsplash’/wall ( https://generalshale.com/products/rock-solid-originals-thin-rock/ ) or mosaic tiled ($8 sq. ft. material allowance) and granite slab back bar countertop (level 1 material allowance- http://www.capcotile.com/products/slabs ), stainless steel under mount entertainment sink and ‘Delta’ - http://www.deltafaucet.com/wps/portal/deltacom/ - brand brushed nickel/rubbed oil bronze entertainment faucet; 6) (2) level, stepped, flooring areas for stadium seating constructed in theater room; 7) Theater room screen area to include: drywall wrapped arched ‘stage’ with painted wood top constructed below recessed arched theater screen space with painted, drywall wrapped ‘columns’ to accommodate owner supplied speakers;

Comfortable living space for entertaining or watching television, with adjacent bar and bathroom.

A blank slate and open minds are a perfect recipe for creative design ideas. The homeowner's brother is a custom cabinet maker who brought our ideas to life and then Landmark Remodeling installed them and facilitated the rest of our vision. We had a lot of wants and wishes, and were to successfully do them all, including a gym, fireplace, hidden kid's room, hobby closet, and designer touches.

Healthy Basement Systems, Medford, New York, 2021 Regional CotY Award Winner, Basement Under $100,000

Instead of trying to mask the changes in ceiling elevations which could not be removed due to mechanicals therein, the elevation changes were turned into a piece of architectural sculpture. The basement remodel was designed and built by Meadowlark Design Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photography by Sean Carter

This basement remodel made the area more efficient and useful to the family. It has a full bar area, guest rooms, a bathroom, laundry, and entrance to outside.

This light beige basement rec room with a transitional fireplace designed with neutral tile color gives a more warm and cozy atmosphere.