My Houzz: Kristen Bell Treats Her Sister to a Bright New Basement
In this Houzz original video, the actor uses Houzz to find a designer, buy products and create a family-friendly space
Mitchell Parker
March 7, 2017
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
“A little sister always looks up to her big sister, no matter what age you are,” says actor Kristen Bell. Recently, the former Veronica Mars star and voice of Anna in the Disney hit Frozen decided to show her appreciation for her big sis Sara by surprising her and her family with a full-on basement remodel. “She’s honestly in my eyes a superwoman,” Bell says.
“After” photos by Mars Photo and Design
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: Sara, Tom and their four kids
Location: Detroit
Size: 1,026 square feet (95 square meters)
Designer: Melissa Kennedy of Meadowlark Design+Build
Watch now: See Kristen Bell surprise her sister with a dream basement remodel
Sara moved into her Detroit house 12 years ago with her husband, Tom. At the time, the three-bedroom, one-bathroom house suited the couple just fine. But after four kids, it had gotten a little tight. They were “busting out of the windows of this house,” Bell says.
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: Sara, Tom and their four kids
Location: Detroit
Size: 1,026 square feet (95 square meters)
Designer: Melissa Kennedy of Meadowlark Design+Build
Watch now: See Kristen Bell surprise her sister with a dream basement remodel
Sara moved into her Detroit house 12 years ago with her husband, Tom. At the time, the three-bedroom, one-bathroom house suited the couple just fine. But after four kids, it had gotten a little tight. They were “busting out of the windows of this house,” Bell says.
BEFORE: Bell decided to focus her attention on the basement, which was a hodgepodge of unfinished and finished spaces that had been somewhat remodeled over the years. The layout was inefficient and not very inviting. “Sara hasn’t had the time to reimagine it for the kids,” Bell says. “I wanted to figure out a way to maximize the house and make the basement someplace they would all gravitate towards.”
Watch now: Don’t miss Kristen Bell surprising her sister
Watch now: Don’t miss Kristen Bell surprising her sister
AFTER: Since Bell lives more than 2,000 miles away in Los Angeles, she used Houzz to transform the space. The renovation is part of My Houzz, a video series documenting public figures as they surprise a close family member with a home renovation. The pilot episode of My Houzz featured Ashton Kutcher, who is an executive producer of the series.
Bell looked at Houzz profiles of design professionals in the Detroit area and found Melissa Kennedy of Meadowlark Design+Build. She liked that Kennedy’s firm handles both the design and the building sides of construction.
She also loved the style of the projects on Meadowlark’s Houzz profile and felt confident in Kennedy’s abilities based on all the positive reviews she read there. “I knew she was the one I wanted to trust with this project,” Bell says. Bell and Kennedy also bought almost all the new furnishings and accessories from the Houzz Shop.
Kennedy and the construction team gutted the basement, removing walls to create a more open layout. The style Kennedy and Bell decided on is what Kennedy calls “simplified traditional.” “Warm colors, warm textures, nothing too cool, comfortable furniture, nothing too froufrou or overly ornate,” she says.
Kennedy removed the drop ceiling and painted the exposed rafters a light color to help brighten the space. “That extra 8 inches really helps increase your perspective,” she says. The floors are refinished concrete.
Walls and ceiling painted in Plaster of Paris: Benjamin Moore; TV accent wall painted in Anderson Blue: Benjamin Moore; Denise Austin Home Chicago club chair: GDF Studio; Marquis cocktail ottoman: Emerald Home; Hapuna Coastal Beach faux shagreen rectangle tray: Kathy Kuo Home; Chandler end table: Emerald Home; Midtown four-light pendant: Capital; Oakwood natural area rug: Loloi; 120V three-light track lighting kit: Sea Gull Lighting
Bell looked at Houzz profiles of design professionals in the Detroit area and found Melissa Kennedy of Meadowlark Design+Build. She liked that Kennedy’s firm handles both the design and the building sides of construction.
She also loved the style of the projects on Meadowlark’s Houzz profile and felt confident in Kennedy’s abilities based on all the positive reviews she read there. “I knew she was the one I wanted to trust with this project,” Bell says. Bell and Kennedy also bought almost all the new furnishings and accessories from the Houzz Shop.
Kennedy and the construction team gutted the basement, removing walls to create a more open layout. The style Kennedy and Bell decided on is what Kennedy calls “simplified traditional.” “Warm colors, warm textures, nothing too cool, comfortable furniture, nothing too froufrou or overly ornate,” she says.
Kennedy removed the drop ceiling and painted the exposed rafters a light color to help brighten the space. “That extra 8 inches really helps increase your perspective,” she says. The floors are refinished concrete.
Walls and ceiling painted in Plaster of Paris: Benjamin Moore; TV accent wall painted in Anderson Blue: Benjamin Moore; Denise Austin Home Chicago club chair: GDF Studio; Marquis cocktail ottoman: Emerald Home; Hapuna Coastal Beach faux shagreen rectangle tray: Kathy Kuo Home; Chandler end table: Emerald Home; Midtown four-light pendant: Capital; Oakwood natural area rug: Loloi; 120V three-light track lighting kit: Sea Gull Lighting
To make up for the lack of natural light, Kennedy introduced layers of lighting. She also selected 3,000 Kelvin temperature bulbs to replace fluorescent ones. “We didn’t want to go too warm. We went a little bit cooler to simulate natural light,” she says.
Pillow in foreground similar to Edie Hollywood Regency: Kathy Kuo Home; Tobias throw blanket: Surya; Kenzie decorative pillow: Colorfly; Tuscany linen throw pillow: Pillow Decor; Edison bulb industrial floor lamp: Peared Creation
Pillow in foreground similar to Edie Hollywood Regency: Kathy Kuo Home; Tobias throw blanket: Surya; Kenzie decorative pillow: Colorfly; Tuscany linen throw pillow: Pillow Decor; Edison bulb industrial floor lamp: Peared Creation
BEFORE: The living space occupied about 50 percent of the basement. The other half was dedicated to an unfinished space containing a laundry area and storage for things like tools. There was a peek-through cut-out, pictured, in the wall between the living room and the office, but to get from one room to the other you had to walk through the laundry area. The living space “was visually connected but not physically connected,” Kennedy says.
AFTER: In the renovated living room, Kennedy moved the TV to a new wall, pictured. Sliding doors covered in faux wood wallpaper hide a storage area for things like holiday decorations. “Good design allows you to store things that are easy to access and encourages organization,” she says.
Walls painted in Anderson Blue: Benjamin Moore; Chandler sofa table: Emerald Home; Montana tall sconces: Sonneman; faux distressed wood panel texture wallpaper: Brewster
Walls painted in Anderson Blue: Benjamin Moore; Chandler sofa table: Emerald Home; Montana tall sconces: Sonneman; faux distressed wood panel texture wallpaper: Brewster
BEFORE: The staircase and storage beneath it previously were walled off.
AFTER: Kennedy removed the wall between the stairs and the basement to create more of a visual connection with the upstairs. “That way it wouldn’t feel like you’re going down into a secluded room,” Kennedy says. “We wanted it to feel like just another part of the house.”
Bell wanted to create a nook space under the stairs similar to what she has at the house she shares with actor husband Dax Shepard and their children. A cushion sits on 30-inch-deep custom-built cabinets that store the kids’ toys.
Big Joe Lux Zip It Squares chairs: Comfort Research; Greely leather shag rug: Safavieh; striped bamboo viscose throw: Nine Space; Interface two-drawer mobile file cabinet: South Shore Furniture
Bell wanted to create a nook space under the stairs similar to what she has at the house she shares with actor husband Dax Shepard and their children. A cushion sits on 30-inch-deep custom-built cabinets that store the kids’ toys.
Big Joe Lux Zip It Squares chairs: Comfort Research; Greely leather shag rug: Safavieh; striped bamboo viscose throw: Nine Space; Interface two-drawer mobile file cabinet: South Shore Furniture
A desk area gives the kids a place to do homework and arts and crafts, while a three-in-one game table and a dart board offer distraction when needed.
3-in-1 Game Table: GLD Products; Bastille Cafe stacking chairs: Inmod; Rock Hard Maple butcher block tabletop: Forever Joint Top; pro-style bristle dartboard set: Trademark Gameroom; Halifax five-drawer cabinet: Winsome
3-in-1 Game Table: GLD Products; Bastille Cafe stacking chairs: Inmod; Rock Hard Maple butcher block tabletop: Forever Joint Top; pro-style bristle dartboard set: Trademark Gameroom; Halifax five-drawer cabinet: Winsome
A new bathroom in the basement features a large vanity and a walk-in shower.
Walls painted in Bruton White, ceilings painted in Swiss Coffee: Benjamin Moore; Florence single vanity: Vinnova; similar to cowhide hanging wall mirror: Jamie Young Co.; Luyu bathmat: Aelfie; ‘Newport Beach Surfers’ by Ariane Moshayedi: Trademark Fine Art; stainless steel triple bar towel hanger: Cool Lines USA; faucet: Posh House
Walls painted in Bruton White, ceilings painted in Swiss Coffee: Benjamin Moore; Florence single vanity: Vinnova; similar to cowhide hanging wall mirror: Jamie Young Co.; Luyu bathmat: Aelfie; ‘Newport Beach Surfers’ by Ariane Moshayedi: Trademark Fine Art; stainless steel triple bar towel hanger: Cool Lines USA; faucet: Posh House
One of Bell’s main requests for the project was that she wanted to create a bedroom for her 11-year-old niece, Lucy. The bedroom replaced a rarely used home office. “She can have a space to think about who she is and not worry about having to pick up after her brothers,” Bell says. Kennedy added an egress window that brings natural light into the room.
The designer painted the walls off-white and incorporated the pinks and purples that Lucy likes now into the furnishings and accessories, which can easily change out as she gets older. “That way she won’t be stuck repainting the walls,” Kennedy says.
Walls and ceiling painted in Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore; Polly bed: Incy Interiors; storage box: Face to Face Designs; hand-knotted area rug: Kaleen; Bloom throw pillow: Society6; Today Is Going to Be Awesome artwork: Uh Oh Pasghettio
The designer painted the walls off-white and incorporated the pinks and purples that Lucy likes now into the furnishings and accessories, which can easily change out as she gets older. “That way she won’t be stuck repainting the walls,” Kennedy says.
Walls and ceiling painted in Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore; Polly bed: Incy Interiors; storage box: Face to Face Designs; hand-knotted area rug: Kaleen; Bloom throw pillow: Society6; Today Is Going to Be Awesome artwork: Uh Oh Pasghettio
This chest belonged to one of Bell and her sisters’ grandmothers, and it was important that Kennedy find a way to incorporate it into the design. It made sense to include it in Lucy’s room, where it fit perfectly below the new window. Purple knobs updated the dresser without changing it too much.
Lavender round crystal knob: Cal Crystal; Aria pompom single-panel curtain: Lush Decor; natural blended canvas 10-pocket shoe organizer: Household Essentials
Lavender round crystal knob: Cal Crystal; Aria pompom single-panel curtain: Lush Decor; natural blended canvas 10-pocket shoe organizer: Household Essentials
BEFORE: This bird’s-eye 3-D floor plan shows the basement’s original layout, with the entry staircase at top right. (Click the image to enlarge it.) To get to the home office in the lower left corner, you walked through the unfinished storage space, top, that also housed the washer and dryer.
AFTER: This view shows the reconfigured layout. The new living area is on the right side of the floor plan. At top center are the game area and homework station, with a small desk area below. In the top left corner of the plan is the new laundry area, and below that is Lucy’s bedroom. The new bathroom is at bottom center.
“There isn’t one thing I said I would change,” says Sara, pictured on the right with Bell. “Nothing.”
Watch now: See how Kristen Bell’s sister reacts to seeing her basement transformed
Get the look: Shop products from this makeover
Your turn: See how to make and use Houzz ideabooks for your own home project
Watch now: See how Kristen Bell’s sister reacts to seeing her basement transformed
Get the look: Shop products from this makeover
Your turn: See how to make and use Houzz ideabooks for your own home project
Related Stories
Events
5 Trends for Kitchen and Bath Products in 2024
See fascinating new features for showers, tubs, faucets and more launched at the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show
Full Story
Houzz TV Live
5 Kitchen Design Trends Worth Considering
Learn about open-concept kitchens, long islands and more trends happening now from the latest Houzz research data
Full Story
Houzz TV Live
5 Home Design Trends on the Rise in 2024
Watch a short video and read about the design and remodeling features set to dominate in the coming year
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Tour a Contemporary London Home Full of Light and Garden Views
See and read how an architect on Houzz dramatically brightened once-dark spaces to create an airy contemporary home
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Peek Inside a Desert Home With a Natural Look and Storage Galore
See and read how a designer helps a couple update interiors with durable materials and features for entertaining
Full Story
Entertaining
5 Design Ideas Pros Recommend to Create a Home for Entertaining
Pros say you should consider these elements when looking to create a party-friendly home atmosphere
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Light and Airy Home With a Playful Spirit and Durable Details
See and read how a designer on Houzz helped a couple create lively interiors with natural materials and fun elements
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
5 Kitchens With Beautiful Backsplashes
Watch and read how designers on Houzz use tile, color and pattern to create impressive backdrops worth a second glance
Full Story
Trending Now
5 Design Trends Rising Now
See and read what designers say are the top colors, materials, styles and other elements homeowners are asking for
Full Story
Trending Now
5 Design Ideas From Popular New Photos on Houzz
Get inspiration from the most-saved recently uploaded living room, kitchen, laundry room, bathroom and entry photos
Full Story
Congratulations
Such great Interior Remodel Construction Project Videos!!!
Wow. Amazing.