Below My Houzz: An Inviting Basement With Industrial Edge
Reconfiguring a cramped, damp basement opens up a new world of sleek, functional spaces
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
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When a young family needed more space in their 1920s bungalow, they thought about renovating the basement, but the low ceilings, leaky stone foundation, hanging wires and hodgepodge of structural poles hampered their hopes. Then architect Ryan Duebber came up with a plan. He helped turn their once-cramped space into an open family room and bar, and incorporated secondary spaces including a laundry room, storage closet and dream steam shower room.
Rather than fighting the challenging elements, Duebber used them as elements of industrial style for a modern space that suited the clients' tastes. The result is a sleek and open space that mixes old and new elements and highlights the places where they meet.
Rather than fighting the challenging elements, Duebber used them as elements of industrial style for a modern space that suited the clients' tastes. The result is a sleek and open space that mixes old and new elements and highlights the places where they meet.
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| "My clients wanted something cool and not typical of suburban basement renovations," Duebber says. This worked to their advantage, as drywall ceilings and walls would have closed in the space and made it feel smaller. Plus, drywalling in front of foundation walls would have trapped moisture. Black painted rafters, ductwork and beams create the illusion of higher ceilings. "Painting the ceiling dark makes a huge difference psychologically," he says. "A coat of paint goes a long way." |
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| The space posed a lot of challenges. The ceilings were low (6 feet 7 inches to 7 feet 4 inches), and 90 years' worth of electrical wires hung down between the rafters. Structural columns cluttered the space, and a big plumbing stack at eye level stood in the way of using the room for more than storage. Duebber was able to move the troublesome columns and plumbing while keeping their important functions intact. |
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| The original basement and its storage function had not changed much since it was built in 1923. "A stone foundation leaks like a sieve," Duebber says. "We sandblasted it and power washed it so that the sealing product could get into every pore of the walls." |
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| After having the wall sealed, Duebber had it painted white. The painted concrete floor can stand up to moisture, but Duebber left in drains for those just-in-case moments. He widened the staircase and cut away some of the framing overhead so that no one would have to duck while heading down. The treads and risers are covered in an industrial rubber product by Roppe. The moldings are modern and sharp, navigating the transitional spaces between the walls and the painted concrete floor as well as the dark ceiling. This creates crisp edges that stand out as part of the design. "I paid special attention to spots where different elements butt up against each other; it's a chance to mark it and play off it," he says. Laundry room cabinets: Ikea |
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| Duebber gave the small windows a larger presence by adding wood aprons beneath them. "Adding this wood warmed up the walls, balanced out the materials and gave my clients additional spots to display things," he explains. A standard can light went in after the ceiling paint job. Then a piece of painted 3/4-inch plywood was cut to fit between the joists to form a square with a hole cut out for can light housing. The can light has a wall-wash trim ring to reflect light onto adjacent concrete walls. |
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| A corrugated galvanized metal wall separates the living space from the utility area, hiding the furnace and gas meter. "The metal brings in the industrial modern feel and represents the utilitarian structure behind it," Duebber says. "I curved this wall to eliminate sharp corners, so that the spaces flow together better." Relocated structural columns now make more sense within the space and help with flow. These two mark the area between the family room and the bar area. The one on the right is the main plumbing stack, which had been a major hinderance before it was moved. |
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Drywall partitions and pocket doors separate a storage closet, laundry room and full bathroom.
Custom short upper cabinets with glass doors continue the illusion of height and tie in with the ceiling.
Custom short upper cabinets with glass doors continue the illusion of height and tie in with the ceiling.
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| Duebber left space between the countertops and walls to continue emphasizing edges and transitions. Lighting highlights the texture on the stone walls. Countertops: Corian |
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This straightforward and utilitarian electrical outlet above the bar adds another industrial detail.
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"My client had great taste and helped with a lot of the selections," Duebber says. She was taking an art class during the renovations and enlisted her teacher, Merle Rosen, to help create this bar top, which is mixed media over plywood, sealed with clear coat. "I kept the bar open underneath and used a steel column to support it, which ties it in with the other columns," he says. Track lights add to the industrial look.
The ceiling and bar are cut around the column — another example of how Duebber draws attention to places where design elements meet.
The ceiling and bar are cut around the column — another example of how Duebber draws attention to places where design elements meet.
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The steam shower is the most luxurious element of the design. "The clients were very active and wanted a steam shower down here to use after runs and bike rides," Duebber says.
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Extending the glass shower tile around the baseboards ties the bathroom together.
Sink and faucets: Kohler; Countertop: Corian
Sink and faucets: Kohler; Countertop: Corian
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| Here's the overall plan of the basement. Duebber located the main area in the center, and pushed the secondary elements like the bathroom, laundry room and mechanical rooms toward the corners. This maximized the open feeling in the main living room and bar space, giving the clients a whole new floor where they can gather, relax and entertain. More: A Contractor's Tips for How to Finish a Basement |
Ideabook updated on Nov. 14, 2012.
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I love how Ryan Duebber re-worked this basement with a realistic nod to the elements, so that any moisture in the future would not destroy what has been done.
He worked with what was there, solved the problems that he could, and adapted for the rest -- form following function at its best. Love it!
Not usually a fan of the industrial look, I think it is in this case it is the key elment in the solution to renovating a space which houses the homes mechanical and support systems. The floor plan appears to be an outstanding use of space. Well done.
Great Remodel!!
It needs to get down low ceiling stairs so sections works.
Also, one reason we were considering drywall was to make the basement warmer. It seems the bare concrete would be colder here in Chicago winters. Any thoughts or experience, anyone?
I'm curious to know how they painted the ceiling - did they remove everything and paint separately or did they just spray paint everything and then do detailing where the spray didn't reach?
It is really spectacular...I look at your pictures and am amazed at how great the space looks! Thanks again!
All these comments, and I don't think I saw one negative one....that says a LOT!
Here are a few smaller basements you may be interested in:
Ideabook: Basement of the Week: High-End Problem Solving for a Show House
and this one is just 400 square feet:
Ideabook: Basement of the Week: From Dumping Ground to Family Zone in Minnesota
and this one is 580 square feet - I think just the main room is comparable to the amount of space people have to finish (580 sq ft minus the guest room):
Ideabook: Basement of the Week: Guests Gets a Cottage-Like Stay
and this one is under 500 sq. ft:
Ideabook: Basement of the Week: Kicky Colors and Patterns Promise Fun
Also, the wide angle shots photographers use to fit more of the rooms in view can be deceiving!