EXISTING BASEMENT: This home located in the Springmill Ridge addition on the west side of Carmel was built in 1989. The basement was already completely finished but was lacking the architectural details the homeowners wanted.
“We wanted to upgrade the basement,” stated the homeowner. “It was boring. We wanted to add a little character and make it a place we wanted to hang out in.” The homeowners wanted a rustic feel to the space, including a wine tasting area, which drove the design and material choices.
STACKED STONE: A dry-stacked stone wall in Ledgewood Chisel Gray was installed on the TV wall, providing the look of a fireplace without having to actually build one. As a focal point of the basement, the style of the wall was carried out throughout the basement.
DECORATIVE MOLDINGS: To add a more finished feel, wainscoting was added to most of the basement walls. Columns and a decorative wall were added to create a drink ledge near the main bar area. Faux columns gave an exceptionally long wall purpose by creating a niche for family photos.
CUSTOM SHELVING: Having a place for the family’s memorabilia collection was included in the final design as well. Floating stained shelving was custom built around the items they would hold. Beyond their functionality, the shelves were designed in varying depths and lengths to add dimension to the long, flat wall.
WINE TASTING AREA: To bring the expansive space of the lower level into a comfortable scale, multiple seating and activity areas were created. A bar, a TV-viewing area and a pool table took up the most space. Stacked stone surrounds a curved decorative door and wine racking to create the wine tasting area. A bar-height table and chairs near the picture nook create another gathering space.
FINAL RESULTS: “We have had a few parties since the remodel,” stated the homeowner. “Before, there was never enough space for people to sit. Now there are many choices. Our family is now using the basement together, and will even more now that the weather is turning colder.”