Rendering Vs. Reality

I can't believe how realistic the rendering was. Whatever software was used is fabulous!! I like the real thing better though :-)

The {Empty} Basement Reveal!!

The basement renovation finished up on Friday!!  We love the results!!  It looks just beautiful and we can't wait to start using the space.  It will take a little while to furnish, but at least we have a couch on order and an entertainment credenza purchased.  I'm most excited about the mudroom area.  It makes so much more sense for us to take coats and shoes off downstairs after coming in from the garage instead of walking all the way upstairs and into our foyer.

Here are some before and afters:

Basement Paint Selection

Floors were laid down yesterday!!  We are really happy with our floor and tile choices. 

And, after much deliberation, we have chosen Shaker Beige by Benjamin Moore for the walls.

Shaker Beige in action

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Basement Flooring

Final decisions were made on our flooring last week.  We've decided to go a little lighter with the vinyl flooring and have chosen the lighter stained option below (the one on the bottom was our original choice).  We were just worried our original choice would be too dark for the space. 

We also choose a 12"x24" slate-like porcelain tile for the mudroom area. 

When the tiling is complete, it will look similar to the room below.  As much as I loved the herringbone pattern mentioned in my previously post, we thought it would look a little strange up against the vinyl/wood since the width of the tile would have been the same as the vinyl. 

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Basement Clean Out

I love me some before and after photos!!  This was how we spent the weekend...well, Chris mostly.  The basement has already been transformed and most of the framing was completed today.  Yay!!

 

 

Garage holding what we have left....we can still fit one car since all of the junk on the left has been trashed.

 

Updated Basement Plans

Updated plans for the mudroom bench and storage under the stairs.  Can't wait to see how all of this turns out!!  Work begins on Monday, but our works begins this weekend when we have to clean out the basement...no fun.

Basement Color Palette

As much as I'm drawn to grays and golds these days (dining room, kitchen...and hopefully re-painting the living room and front entry soon), I would like to do something a little bit different in the basement.  I'd like a warm space but not too dark since there are only 2 tiny windows that will be exposed.  We will have lots of canned lights to brighten up the space, in addition to some ambient light so hopefully it doesn't feel like a cavern.

This room caught my eye and I really like the beige and blue combination.  Perhaps with white accent furniture instead of darker wood-tones.  My goal will to try to prevent it from looking too beach-y/nautical. 

Potential color palette:  Benjamin Moore Bleeker Beige, Hudson Bay and Simply White

This is the flooring we have chosen for the living area. It's actually a vinyl floor that looks like wood, great for basements and can take a lot of wear and tear.  We still need to go search for mudroom tile.  

Preparing to Finish the Basement

We are so excited that our wish to finish the basement is going to come true!!  Ever since Daphne was born and we lost our guest room, the need to finish the basement has gotten greater. It will be so nice to have extra living space, a place for guests to sleep and a mudroom....oh how I have dreamed of a mudroom.  Construction is set to begin on March 10th.  Of course, we aren't looking forward to cleaning out the basement, although I can't wait to purge and organize!! 

We received some preliminary plans from our contractor (the son of the builder who built our house) and it's exciting to "see" how the space will look once it's completed.  We will definitely be making some changes to this design, but for the most part it is a good representation.  The space isn't huge (since our garage takes up half the basement) but allows for a nice comfortable mudroom/family room.  We will most likely use the smaller back room as a storage area for now.   

Some elements I'd like to see in the space are slate like flooring in the mudroom, a functional mudroom bench and built-in storage under the stairs.  I can't wait!!  

Slate Flooring in Herringbone Pattern

Mudroom Bench with Hook and Shoe Storage

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 Under Stairs Storage

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Have I mentioned I'm excited?