If you were tuned in over the holidays, then you know that right before the apocalypse of all things holidaisical hit, we finished our basement area!
I know. The craziest time of the year.
And just in time to spend aforementioned holidaisical apocalypse leaving town to spend time with the fam. That was fabulous and splendid and other adjectives because I’m officially binge watching The Crown at night {Cherio!} but we were a little anxious to get back to the grind, since it took more than a year {1.5 to be exact} with all things codes here, just to finish the space.
We knew that when reality hit in the new week, it would be more of a challenge to get much of anything accomplished in between all things work. {I know, right? Wah, Ash. Just like normal people.} Total side note: I tend to do our posts in big chunks. So per my usual M.O, I was writing out an entire post about the entire basement when I decided to break it down, and keep it simpler. I was all, “calm down, yo.”As per any good space and the evolution of a project, our needs for this space have changed. I broke it up into four succinct areas that will change and evolve with us, over time. That’s a fancy way of saying money doesn’t grow on trees and we’re doing things as we can.
So here we are, starting with basement progress – sitting area design plans. Why? Because I believe it sets the tone for the rest of the downstairs, and this was a good place to begin.
Right now, we’re in the middle of organizing all the things. I’m drowning in studio supplies and samples, trying to find organization in the chaos so we can pick up work and keep moving during the day. The kids have had toys in storage for 1.5 years. We have been living in a much smaller amount of square footage for over a year now. And we’re finally to the fun part, {other than completely transforming something that was kinda scary} where we get to make it our own. We are oh so ready.
While I definitely want to take my sweet time putting it all together {and I will, with a few specific items that are absolutely worth waiting for, on back order} I thought it would be fun to share a few of the design elements for the space, here.
We wanted this space to serve as a playroom with style so that our elementary {and now middle school kiddo-hold me} could grow with it. It’s also naturally, a second living room for the entire family to gather. We knew that we wanted a place for overnight guests to stay, and a place where our kiddos could take their friends when we have friends over. Needless to say, it has a list of needs from storing toys and books to places to sit and much more. We knew we wanted to start with built ins because all the storage.
I believe I showed you all the sketch above as our starting point for this built in, and then it evolved into this…
And even further into this, as we started to watch it all change with our needs.
Here’s where we are with the design plans of this space:
Furniture:
A place to watch movies with the fam and a place where guests can stay = check. And really, a place where the kids can sleep when we have overnight guests.
So we definitely went with two queen-sized sleeper sofas from La-Z-Boy, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with them. Super comfy and stylish in one, we went for classic lines and style, and the photo here doesn’t do it justice. We chose the fabulous fabric shown, which almost has a bit of a tweed finish to it – details on the fabric are here: C140536 – Deauville / Hemp
We also went for their new line of fabulous recliners, with a bit of a twist. They recline with a button, and serve as a nice modern contrast to the softer, classic lines. Again, the photo doesn’t do it justice and the fabric is so fabulous, it feels like a soft, trustworthy tee. D145087 – i-Merino / Flannel
Stay tuned for the real photos of these – they’re worth it.
The coffee table may look familiar. It’s one we used in the Ronald McDonald House project a few years ago. The sitting area {Becuase of the column we enclosed} was long and skinny. So we needed a versatile table to stretch and shrink – literally – with our needs. Thus this nesting table. It has a great contrast of modern lines in cool steel with a warmer top… also from La-A-Boy. The boys have already claimed it as their lego headquarters.
Lights:
Are from the fabulous Kichler lighting and the chandelier can be found here. We also added a lot of canned lights which keeps the basement light and bright. It’s anything but dark.
Tile:
This is what we’ve had the most questions on… becuase it’s actually porcelain tile. Flooring and fabulous tile are from Jeffrey Court and the name is Oakwood Lilly. We love giving it a modern edge with fun, geometric lines.
Wallpaper:
Clearly, I’m on a wallpaper kick. I scored this pattern on sale via Anthropologie over the holidays, and it’s to be installed in a few weeks.
Barn Door{s}:
We’ve put our heads together once again with our favorite company {Artisan Hardware} to design two custom double barn doors. I knew I also needed a way to shut off the main playroom space from my soon-to-be office space. And when the laundry is going, it won’t be oh so intrusive on the movies. I was inspired by a few photos I’ve seen here and there and I was thrilled to design this one and have it made by the awesome Artisan Hardware. Stay tuned for more details and in the meantime, check out their incredible site.
Rug:
This photo doesn’t do it justice, but I believe this rug from the fab Loloi has every color of the rainbow. If you google it, you’ll see what I mean. I have a plan up my sleeves for pillows and all things colorful fun and tying it in… so stay tuned.
Paint colors: {We tied them in with the rest of the house}
- PURE WHITE {HGSW4006}: trim, ceilings, and our main cabinets.
- SAND DOLLAR {HGSW3117} on our kitchen island.
- NEBULOUS WHITE {HGSW4057}: On our walls
- DIVERSE BEIGE {HGSW3086}: A few of our doors for a nice deeper grey, and accent colors throughout the home.
- SWIMMING {HGSW1327}: (In case you were wondering) The blue you spy throughout the rest of the home, on the ceilings + some walls!
Finishing it up with some fun accents like this blue basket {above} I’ve had forever from a flea market find, and a lamp that needs a little repair, handed down from a friend… I can’t wait to show y’all the end results! The accents are a hodgepodge and so far it’s coming together beautifully! The furniture is in place and the bookshelves are currently being organized so slowly but surely on progress! Yay progress!
I’ll be talking all things entryway next week, and how that’s changed… which I probably should have started with first. But this was the meatiest of all the things… so here we are!
Stay tuned and we hope to show you some kind of reveal, at least in the office area, in the upcoming weeks.
If you’re just tuning in, you can follow along with the entire money pit series here. We’ve come so far – and we’re so glad to be finished with the basement
Have an inspired day!
Amanda says
I’m loving how this space is coming together! So, so gorgeous. Can’t wait to see it with all the furniture!
Elizabeth Lamb says
The Basement looks stunning. I hope you will tell us the final cost when done. It is beautiful!!!
Thomas Foster says
How did you finish the ceilings like that? Looks AMAZING!