Project Description
Our customers had bought the house and shortly after moving in they noticed a mouse problem in the basement. Grossed out about the dead & living critters and the smell they were leaving behind they wanted someone to demo the entire basement first and foremost. This way they could to get access to all the nooks & crannies to eradicate the problem(s). Once everything was removed and we had a blank canvas to work with the new possibilities imagined & a new floor plan emerged. The 2 biggest obstacles were the ceiling and the structural columns, although the ceiling felt like some sort of some superhighway, since it had so much HVAC, plumbing and electrical running throughout the entire space. So, wall placement was crucial in the design, to hide as much as possible. Otherwise, we created ceiling treatments to disguise the rest. This was in lieu of dropping the ceiling everywhere. The structural columns were a plenty and not in alignment either. So that was something to consider as well. In the end we removed one of them to create a more open concept space. The rest we tried to bury behind walls. 1. The clients valued: adding more light into the space which was addressed by keeping the ceiling height as tight as possible, adding recessed can lights, positioning specific rooms towards the largest windows, and using neutral paint colors. 2. Capitalizing on the views of the backyard, so we moved the gym closer to the family room opposite the new sliding doors to the exterior and enclosed the gym in glass. 3. The workshop needed to be moved to an inviting space that didn't include the house mechanicals, dry-walled, and we added all the amenities…painted slip resistant floor covering, central vacuum system, and intercom system (to let the homeowner know if someone was at the front door). We also placed the wood storage area adjacent for easy access without taking valuable space within the shop. 4. The original bathroom had an awkward layout and wasn't multi-purpose like they had needed. So, we addressed this by including a larger steam shower for (2) people that is controlled digitally. Additional cabinetry storage for pool related items to would be used over the summer months which included much needed towel storage. 5. Wet bar: An undercounter refrigerator & microwave was added so that in they didn't have to go upstairs for snacks or beverages while utilizing the gym, workshop, or outside pool area.