Basement of the Week: Mediterranean Wine Cellar Style in Michigan
Drop in on a converted basement that evokes an old-world feel with its new kitchen, dining room and media room
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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This homeowner wanted the walk down into her condominium's basement to take her far away — all the way to Europe. "The owner wanted to create a cozy Mediterranean wine cellar look," says Lisa Whelan of M.J. Whelan Construction. A series of elliptical archways separate the spaces, and warm neutrals, tiles that resemble tumbled stone and Venetian plaster wall treatments lend old-world style. Once a yucky concrete wasteland, the basement is now a favorite spot for cozying up and entertaining.
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: An interior designer
Location: Milford, Michigan
Size: About 1,500 square feet
Estimated cost: $67,000
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: An interior designer
Location: Milford, Michigan
Size: About 1,500 square feet
Estimated cost: $67,000
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| The homeowner is an interior designer, so she had a lot of the materials and finishes picked out before construction began. A ceramic tile floor with a stone look, a French country–style dining table and chairs, and a chandelier fashioned from green wine bottles add to the South European wine cellar look. Chandelier: Pottery Barn |
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| This basement was a typical raw basement space. |
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| "The homeowner has friends over frequently for cards, wine tastings and Bunko," Whelan says. A bar with comfortable bar stools between the dining area and kitchen provides a good perch for tastings. |
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| There were two ugly egress windows in the basement, so the team came up with a unique solution, which you can see on the wall on the left. "We created custom woodwork around them to make them look like double hutches and added stained glass windows, which the client custom designed herself," says Whelan. The natural light from the egress windows is enhanced by lights installed behind them. |
The space includes a kitchen. The upper cabinets have LED lights inside to highlight the glassware. Ceramic tile on the walls has a tumbled-stone, Tuscan look.
Countertops: Corian
Countertops: Corian
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| Elliptical archways add to the Mediterranean wine cellar look, create separate intimate areas and leave the overall space feeling open and large. In the media room, comfortable overstuffed sofas face the TV and fireplace. |
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| The fireplace surround is limestone. Custom built-ins on either side provide space for media equipment, books and display items. The once-unfinished underground space now provides a comfortable haven for entertaining, wine tastings, meals, games and movie nights. |
Ideabook published on Feb. 20, 2013.
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http://www.ballarddesigns.com/constance-barstool/stools/all-stools/245555?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=35
The tile is gorgeous and it is something that I've been planning on doing to my basement as well. I do dope this tile isn't the porous kind. If so, the tile AND the grout needs to be sealed. I learned that the hard way when my grandchild spilled grape juice on my kitchen tile. I'm sure red wine would leave a similar ugly stain.
The other thing I don't think I wold care for are the lights above the bar seating area. Although, they look beautiful, they appear to be right at eye level with both the person sitting at the stool as well as the person standing behind the counter serving area. Perhaps not, but it looks that way in the photo. It would be blinding to have a light in your face as well as blocking your view of other people. Also, as a 50+ age woman, the last thing I would want is a bright lighting shining on my face. I would raise those lights and put a soft flattering bulb in them to soften the harsh effect of a bright white light bulb. Just my thoughts. Otherwise just gorgeous. I would probably stay in this part of the house :)
Barbara
Carol
Truly an exceptional job well done.
Torry Manzo
Renaissance Kitchen and Home