James Barton Design Build, Inc. Lower Level: Over $125,000 Savage
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Background/goals: Longtime owners of this two-story home decided to finish their nearly 1,100-square-foot lower level before the last of their children was old enough to head off to college. They wanted a cool space for their teenage son to hang out with his friends but tasteful enough for them to entertain their friends and extended family. Other must-haves included a bar area with space to store and display wine, a relaxing space with a largescreen television to watch sporting events and movies, and a sporty game room for their son. Challenges: Existing ductwork and plumbing presented the design challenge of how to maximize ceiling height while not creating a choppy look through the overuse of soffits. In addition, the homeowners desire for three distinct spaces in what is a relatively small footprint meant innovative design would be imperative to the creation of flowing walkways and ample storage without reducing the actual living space. The finished project also needed to complement the formal décor of the main level yet still be casual and inviting. Solutions: The team was able to meet all of the project s challenges and deliver a comfortable, highly functional lower level appropriate for both kids and adults. The team repositioned some plumbing and ductwork to minimize the use of soffits and then relied on smart placement of doors, walls, and walkways. T0 create the illusion of space, the design team enlisted several creative strategies. Removing part of a staircase wall and replacing it with a railing opened up the space. Installing a prominent, custom-made, knotty-alder door creates the feeling that the door leads to a wine cellar when it actually leads to a finished storage room. Extending the entertainment center s base cabinets into the wall makes them appear seven-inches deep when they actually provide the 21 inches of shelf space needed to house a video game console and other electronics. The bar island s rounded Cambria counter top and similarly shaped cork flooring soften the space while increasing the seating area around the bar. The reason for the soft design is to create a natural and uninterrupted walkway, leading from one space to another.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: continued Another technique that really ties this project together is the repetition of design elements. Besides the curved flooring and Cambria top of the bar, the crisscross design used in the wine storage racks mimics the cabinet door mullions, and the stonework, which creates a true wine cellar feel, provides a stylish fireplace surround in the family room as well as contrasting detail as it flanks the television in the game room.
FLOOR PLAN: before
FLOOR PLAN: after
BEFORE PHOTO: #1 Low hanging ductwork and plumbing locations in this unfinished basement led to creative uses of soffits. A drain stack was relocated to allow better flow of space.
AFTER PHOTO: #1 A wall was placed between the bar and the storage room. Although it appears as though there is a wine cellar behind the door it s really a storage room.
BEFORE PHOTO: #2 This unfinished basement was long and narrow, creating a challenge on how to divide up the space in a way that worked for the homeowner.
AFTER PHOTO: #2 Adding cabinets, a large screen TV and a fireplace to the end of the room, gives the room less of a narrow, long shape.
AFTER PHOTO: #3 A space was created off to the side of the main space for the kids to play video games or just hang out with friends.
AFTER PHOTO: #4 The bar houses a sink, microwave, dishwasher drawer, full size refrigerator and wine cooler for full entertaining all in one area.
AFTER PHOTO: #5 With a sump pump located in this room, we still needed a way to access & disguise it. Built-in cabinets hide the sump pump, yet still allow for easy access.