JOZLYN KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Chris and Sofia of Arlington Heights knew when they purchased their home that they would finish the basement. They needed a space for the kids to hang out, for family and friends to stay, and to have a better space for hosting holidays and parties. The dark unfinished space went mostly unused for three years, but once their kids reached the ideal age for use of a well-built basement, they moved ahead with their plan. “The old basement was dark and cold, and the kids came down and played, but they didn’t like it. The new space is like a whole other house, so we have this space for family game nights and for watching games or Super Bowl parties,” Chris said. The couple found Advance Design Studio through a friend who had their entire home renovated by the remodeling company. After the initial meeting and visiting the showroom, Chris and Sofia were positive that Advance Design was the company that could best turn their unfinished basement into a family friendly space for everyone to enjoy. “We really liked the showroom, we liked being able to choose all of those finishes and meet with them in one place,” Chris said. A Custom Space for a Family with Multiple Needs The project began with a fireplace focal point complete with an amazing entertainment wall, a fantastic full kitchen complete with every amenity, and a brand new full bath. The new basement truly has a space for everyone. If the kids want to watch a movie and hang out on the couch they can, if family wants to play games and have a pizza party on the large island they can, and if guests want to stay over night on the pull-out sofa they can enjoy the entire private “suite” complete with a full bath. It is the true definition of a multifunctional basement. The stunning, full kitchen is the highlight of this now bright and airy basement. You walk down the stairs and are immediately impressed with the detailed metal tile work on the ceiling, bringing to mind the classic feel of a comfortable old pub. Cherry Merlot cabinets provide a rich contrast against the soft neutral walls and the contrasting copper tin ceiling tile and backsplash. Rich Santa Cecelia granite countertops pair nicely with timeless stonework on the outer walls. The island is large enough to provide a more than adequate entertaining space, and provides plenty of both seating and storage. The well-appointed kitchen houses a regular size refrigerator, a full size oven for pizza parties and cookie baking anytime, a microwave oven as well as complete sink and trash set up. One could easily do without a home kitchen forever in this generously designed secondary space! The fireplace and buffet wall seating area is the ideal place to watch movies or sporting events. The coordinating stonework on the fireplace flows throughout the basement, and a burnt orange accent wall brings color and warmth to otherwise ordinary basement space. The Elite Merlot media buffet compliments the kitchen as well as provides storage and a unique functional display option, giving this part of the basement a sophisticated, yet functional feel. The full bath is complete with a unique furniture style cherry DuraSupreme vanity and matching custom designed mirror. The weathered look to the cabinets and mirror give the bathroom some earthy texture as does the stone floor in the walk-in shower. Soft blue makes the space a spa-like mini retreat, and the handsome wall to wall tile and granite speak luxury at every corner. Advance Design added clever custom storage spaces to take advantage of otherwise wasted corners. They built a custom mudroom for the kids to house their sports equipment and a handy built in bench area with basket pull outs for a custom home gym. “They were able to custom fit this second mudroom with the lockers and the bench, they were able to custom build that, so the kids could store all of their equipment down here for the sports that they are in,” Chris said. They Got The Amazing Space They Had Envisioned for Years! The basement Chris and Sofia had envisioned had come to life in a few short months of planning, design and construction, just a perfect fit in the summer months. Advance Design Studio was able to design and build a custom, multifunctional space that the whole family can enjoy. “I would recommend Advance Design because of the showroom, because of the cleanliness on the jobsite and the professionalism, combined with Christine’s design side as well as Todd’s builder’s side - it’s nice to have it all together,” reminisced Chris after the project was complete.

Garen T Photography

600 sqft basement renovation project in Oakville. Maximum space usage includes full bathroom, laundry room with sink, bedroom, recreation room, closet and under stairs storage space, spacious hallway

We love this rustic look for a finished basement. That stunning arch between the bar and the game/living room is all reclaimed barnwood! Finished basement is complete with a bar, island, wine cellar, half bath, kids room, seating area and fireplace, and a laundry room. By Majestic Home Solutions, LLC. Project Year: 2016 Country: United States

This area was once a large, undefined space where kid’s toys collected. Now, the new furniture is set up for conversations and entertaining. Notice how the fire reflects the optional lighting color under the bar. Our designers know how to create flow in a room. Photo Credit: Chris Whonsetler

Basement Gym glass entry door.

Sean Dooley Photography

We are a full service, residential design/build company specializing in large remodels and whole house renovations. Our way of doing business is dynamic, interactive and fully transparent. It's your house, and it's your money. Recognition of this fact is seen in every facet of our business because we respect our clients enough to be honest about the numbers. In exchange, they trust us to do the right thing. Pretty simple when you think about it.

Wall Colors: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray SW 7029 and Sherwin Williams Bracing Blue SW 6242. Stacked stone Desert Quartz. Countertops Rain Cloud by Corian. Flooring Cascade Ridge 6" x 48" Vinyl Plank Brooks

Starting at the two-level granite counter top bar with gleaming cherry wood paneling with a pocket mirror at the center wall, guests can be easily entertained by drinks and food thanks to the convenient outlets along the backsplash and ample counter top space. Looking for a more intimate dining experience? Instead of inviting guests to eat and drink at the bar, have them make their way over to the dining area on the slate tile flooring next to the rustic stone backdrop. The intimate dining area allows for access to the full bar with the soft separation thanks to the half-wall with millwork and a wood top. In addition to the ample room for playing games such as foosball and Ping-Pong, there is a comfortable living room area with a recessed flat screen TV and cozy stone fireplace – all again smartly separated from the rest of the space by a half-wall. There is even a little nook great for reading and storage of toys and other items thanks to the built-in bookshelf and half-cabinets.

An open concept styled basement common area. The walls are gray with large white trim. The flooring is a gray vinyl. In the center is a pillar with white recessed panels. The wall on the right is wrapped in white, stone slabs with a linear fireplace. On the back and left wall are decorative light fixtures.

Basement Game area with pool table