Basement of the Week: High-End Problem Solving for a Show House
Dark and dated? Naturally. But this '70s-style basement had myriad other design issues too. See how the designer rose to the challenge
“This project was the biggest challenge of my career," says interior designer Sheila Rich. This show-house basement had very little natural light, low acoustical tile ceilings, pipes and ducts that hung even lower, electrical wires that had to hang in front of the walls and stone foundation walls that overwhelmed the rest of the space. She worked with what she had with a his-and-her retreat in mind. "The house is beyond huge, and I figured whomever lived here would want a space that was warm and fuzzy."
Because this was a show house, she went very high end, but there are many lessons here that you can follow on a tight budget. "You can certainly achieve a room like this without a $20,000 aquarium, $6,000 painting, $3,000 daybed, $4,000 ottoman and real sisal carpeting," Rich says.
Basement at a Glance
Location: Rumson, New Jersey
Size: 250 square feet
Cost: $45,000 (estimated)
Because this was a show house, she went very high end, but there are many lessons here that you can follow on a tight budget. "You can certainly achieve a room like this without a $20,000 aquarium, $6,000 painting, $3,000 daybed, $4,000 ottoman and real sisal carpeting," Rich says.
Basement at a Glance
Location: Rumson, New Jersey
Size: 250 square feet
Cost: $45,000 (estimated)
BEFORE: The basement looked as though it had been decorated in the 1970s with leftover furniture. A window alcove had dated tile, and the ceiling was made of old acoustic tiles.
AFTER: Rich gave the alcove a softer look while keeping it light. A painter specializing in faux finishes gave it a Venetian plaster look, starting with a dark bronze as the first layer and adding three more successively lighter layers of plaster. The painter applied the plaster with a trowel, and each of the shades bleeds through. She then used a leaf to give the plaster extra texture; natural elements are used throughout the basement.
"I decided to keep the original tiles underneath, because they add a horizontal line, which gives the space some depth," Rich says.
"I decided to keep the original tiles underneath, because they add a horizontal line, which gives the space some depth," Rich says.
A custom ottoman inspired the room. "I wanted it to be comfortable yet artistic," Rich says. Nailhead detailing adds copper and a nature-inspired botanical pattern; both elements are repeated throughout the space.
Rich also repeated subtle horizontal lines throughout the space, which counterbalance the low ceiling and stone wall. The daybed, the copper details on the pinch-pleated drapes and the symmetry of the urns, sconces and artwork bring in horizontal lines.
Rich also repeated subtle horizontal lines throughout the space, which counterbalance the low ceiling and stone wall. The daybed, the copper details on the pinch-pleated drapes and the symmetry of the urns, sconces and artwork bring in horizontal lines.
"Work with what you have and make it better," Rich says. Instead of fighting the stone foundation walls, she worked with them, softening them with other natural textures and soft draperies around the alcove. "I brought in some symmetry with pairs of things to make it more soothing," she says.
While most of the room is full of warm neutrals, including copper and bronze metallics, she did bring in just the right dose of bright color via the throw pillows. "It was such a dark place, I wanted to bring in some vibrant colors, like mango, fuchsia and lime," she says.
While most of the room is full of warm neutrals, including copper and bronze metallics, she did bring in just the right dose of bright color via the throw pillows. "It was such a dark place, I wanted to bring in some vibrant colors, like mango, fuchsia and lime," she says.
BEFORE: Harsh fluorescent lights were not helping to enhance the looks of the peanut stone walls, the furnace or the irregular ceiling. Rich took out the lights and replaced them with sconces, a floor lamp and the light from a new aquarium.
BEFORE: The ceiling posed one of the biggest challenges. Due to budget constraints, Rich kept the acoustic tile, but she got rid of the fluorescents and gave the ceiling a faux painting treatment in gold, which shimmers.
AFTER: The major feature of the new room is a custom 250-gallon seamless acrylic corner aquarium. The glazed natural maple cabinetry around it complements the stone walls. The brilliant colors of the fish bring life to this once dank and lifeless basement.
His-and-her reading chairs occupy the corner. "I thought a pair of chairs would be too matchy-matchy," Rich says. "I wanted one to be feminine and one to be masculine."
The high profile of the contemporary wingback helps cover some of the stone wall, along with the moth prints and large canvas. Rich painted the electric tubing (below the large canvas) copper to match the other metallics in the room — another great example of working with and enhancing the basement's quirks.
More: Get a contractor's tips on how to finish a basement
His-and-her reading chairs occupy the corner. "I thought a pair of chairs would be too matchy-matchy," Rich says. "I wanted one to be feminine and one to be masculine."
The high profile of the contemporary wingback helps cover some of the stone wall, along with the moth prints and large canvas. Rich painted the electric tubing (below the large canvas) copper to match the other metallics in the room — another great example of working with and enhancing the basement's quirks.
More: Get a contractor's tips on how to finish a basement