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.

This custom Arts & Crafts Crown Point Cabinetry kitchen and bar area features, Quartersawn White Oak with a Washington Cherry stained finish. The Island and custom Range Hood both feature, Bee’s Wax over Eco Brown stain and Burnished over Maple. The kitchen and bar area cabinetry have a Craftsman style door with Black Walnut pegs, while the island presents an Old Cupboard door style that blends seamlessly. Additionally, the doors and drawers also feature a soft close element. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

Our clients now have a convenient built-in beverage center with slide-out wine rack. The built-in microwave above provides plenty of counter space for their coffee maker!

Basement Over $100,000 (John Kraemer and Sons)

Full height built-in's provide plenty of space for all of your dining and entertaining needs. Wine glasses, fine China, holiday place settings - you name it, we've got a place to store it.

Unique custom designed full bar with seating for 6. Built-in arched bookshelves at wall include wood framed glass shelves. Decorative pilasters spaced in between bookshelves. Bar also includes several appliances, curved wainscot panel & bar rail.

Marcel Page marcelpagephotography.com

Basement bar with wood backsplash and full sized fridge. Sculptural wine rack and contemporary floating shelves for glassware. Photography by Spacecrafting

Lori Hamilton

We had the privilege of transforming the kitchen space of a beautiful Grade 2 listed farmhouse located in the serene village of Great Bealings, Suffolk. The property, set within 2 acres of picturesque landscape, presented a unique canvas for our design team. Our objective was to harmonise the traditional charm of the farmhouse with contemporary design elements, achieving a timeless and modern look. For this project, we selected the Davonport Shoreditch range. The kitchen cabinetry, adorned with cock-beading, was painted in 'Plaster Pink' by Farrow & Ball, providing a soft, warm hue that enhances the room's welcoming atmosphere. The countertops were Cloudy Gris by Cosistone, which complements the cabinetry's gentle tones while offering durability and a luxurious finish. The kitchen was equipped with state-of-the-art appliances to meet the modern homeowner's needs, including: - 2 Siemens under-counter ovens for efficient cooking. - A Capel 90cm full flex hob with a downdraught extractor, blending seamlessly into the design. - Shaws Ribblesdale sink, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal. - Liebherr Integrated tall fridge, ensuring ample storage with a sleek design. - Capel full-height wine cabinet, a must-have for wine enthusiasts. - An additional Liebherr under-counter fridge for extra convenience. Beyond the main kitchen, we designed and installed a fully functional pantry, addressing storage needs and organising the space. Our clients sought to create a space that respects the property's historical essence while infusing modern elements that reflect their style. The result is a pared-down traditional look with a contemporary twist, achieving a balanced and inviting kitchen space that serves as the heart of the home. This project exemplifies our commitment to delivering bespoke kitchen solutions that meet our clients' aspirations. Feel inspired? Get in touch to get started.

15" copper undermount sink by Rachiele Custom Sinks in a stunning white home card.