We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

The large egress window alcove in the lookout basement provides the perfect spot for reading or playing the guitar in the custom designed and built home by Meadowlark Design + Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

repointed fireplace

Ehlen Creative Communications, LLC

BASEMENT CINEMA, POOL ROOM AND WINE BAR IN WEST LONDON We created this generous space in the basement of a detached family home. Our clients were keen to have a private area for chilling out, watching films and most importantly, throwing parties! The palette of colours we chose here calmly envelop you as you relax. Then later when the party is in full swing, and the lights are up, the colours take on a more vibrant quality. MOOD LIGHTING, ATMOSPHERE AND DRAMA Mood lighting plays an important role in this basement. The two natural light sources are a walk-on glass floor in the room above, and the open staircase leading up to it. Apart from that, this was a dark space which gave us the perfect opportunity to do something really dramatic with the lighting. Most of the lights are on separate circuits, giving plenty of options in terms of mood scenes. The pool table is overhung by three brass and amber glass pendants, which we commissioned from one of our trade suppliers. Our beautifully curated artwork is tastefully lit with downlights and picture lights. LEDs give a warm glow around the perimeters of the media unit, wine rack and bar top. CONTEMPORARY PRIVATE MEMBERS CLUB FEEL The traditional 8-foot American pool table was made bespoke in our selection of finishes. As always, we made sure there was a full cue’s length all the way around the playing area. We designed the bar and wine rack to be custom made for this project. The natural patina of the brass worktop shows every mark and stain, which might sound impractical but in reality looks quirky and timeless. The bespoke bar cabinetry was finished in a chestnut brown lacquer spray paint. On this project we delivered our full interior design service, which includes concept design visuals, a rigorous technical design package and a full project coordination and installation service.

Basement entertaining at it's best! Bar, theater, guest room, and kids play area

Bourbon Man Cave basement redesign in Mt. Juliet, TN

Renovated basement in Calvert County, Maryland, featuring rustic and industrials fixtures and finishes for a playful, yet sophisticated recreation room. Photography Credit: Virgil Stephens Photography

We completed this stunning basement renovation, featuring a bar and a walk-in wine cellar. The bar is the centerpiece of the basement, with a beautiful countertop and custom-built cabinetry. With its moody and dramatic ambiance, this location proves to be an ideal spot for socializing.

Complete renovation of an unfinished basement in a classic south Minneapolis stucco home. Truly a transformation of the existing footprint to create a finished lower level complete with family room, ¾ bath, guest bedroom, and laundry. The clients charged the construction and design team with maintaining the integrity of their 1914 bungalow while renovating their unfinished basement into a finished lower level.

This gorgeous basement has an open and inviting entertainment area, bar area, theater style seating, gaming area, a full bath, exercise room and a full guest bedroom for in laws. Across the French doors is the bar seating area with gorgeous pin drop pendent lights, exquisite marble top bar, dark espresso cabinetry, tall wine Capitan, and lots of other amenities. Our designers introduced a very unique glass tile backsplash tile to set this bar area off and also interconnect this space with color schemes of fireplace area; exercise space is covered in rubber floorings, gaming area has a bar ledge for setting drinks, custom built-ins to display arts and trophies, multiple tray ceilings, indirect lighting as well as wall sconces and drop lights; guest suite bedroom and bathroom, the bath was designed with a walk in shower, floating vanities, pin hanging vanity lights,

Photos by Hali MacLaren RUDLOFF Custom Builders, is a residential construction company that connects with clients early in the design phase to ensure every detail of your project is captured just as you imagined. RUDLOFF Custom Builders will create the project of your dreams that is executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsman, while creating lifetime client relationships that are build on trust and integrity. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area including West Chester, Gladwynne, Malvern, Wayne, Haverford and more. As a 6 time Best of Houzz winner, we look forward to working with you n your next project.

When you have 3 german sheppards - bathig needs to be functional and warm. We created a space in the basement for the dogs and included a "Snug" for the Mr. and his ham radio equipment. Best of both worlds and the clients could not be happier.

This finished basement has three purposes; a bar to entertain, a pool table to enjoy with friends, and a sitting area to watch T.V. Patsy McEnroe Photography

Sara Cox Photography

Sara Cox Photography

We completed this stunning basement renovation, featuring a bar and a walk-in wine cellar. The bar is the centerpiece of the basement, with a beautiful countertop and custom-built cabinetry. With its moody and dramatic ambiance, this location proves to be an ideal spot for socializing.

Stairway with industrial style railing

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.