Creating a Finished Basement in a Dark, Dank Space

I'm not sure what was nastier about the basement.  The puddles that formed from the leaky water meter and constant spring rain....













or the scary cobwebs that draped from the ceiling.






But our goal was to change this dark space into a light, bright living space.  And it was a big job!  We had to put in a perimeter drainage system (click here for the how to),

insulate the concrete walls with rigid foam,  and build new walls.

We also replaced/enlarged the windows to bring in more light.

One of the most dramatic changes was installation of a new clear bulkhead door, that lets the light come pouring through the space.  It has the added benefit of being egress approved, so this space could be a 3rd bedroom.

The result - lots of living space for whatever the new homeowner might want.

Kids playroom - Before

For staging, I did one side as a kid's playroom.....in large part because I found this adorable IVI kids play rug and couldn't resist it with its tufted section for lawns and houses (and it was so much fun to shop for all the little cars, trucks and accessories!).

Kids Playroom - After

At the Open House, people had to drag their kids away!

IVI 3D Kids Playrug - so much fun!!

The other side of the room is a den, where the homeowner can watch TV, listen to music or just relax.  It's a big space with lots of room to spare.

But that's not all!  We added a gleaming new laundry room, with lots of storage.

And my favorite feature?  This half bath.  It includes this antique sink that I spent LOTS and LOTS of time on (click here for the full story) and absolutely love.  And of course there's the antique toothbrush wallpaper that I imported from Holland.

So what's your opinion?  It's quite a change, don't you think???

Artwork - Earth Angel Arts

Sources:  

Original 'Morning Rocks' Painting - Holly Lombardo, Portland Art Gallery

Kids Room Art - Earthangel Arts

Play Rug - Mini City IVI 3D Playrug

Basement Bulkhead Door - Cleargress Doors

Wicker Chairs & Chest - Pottery Barn

Leather Sofa - Neiman Marcus

Wall Color - Sherwin Williams - Downy

Laundry Cabinetry - IKEA

Toothbrush Wallpaper - Obsession by Daniel Rozensztroch  NLXL 

Flooring - Lifeproof 100% Waterproof Premium Vinyl planks

Lifeproof Vinyl Flooring - Fresh Oak

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1960 Ranch Bathroom Renovation: Before and After

If you've been reading the blog for awhile, you probably remember the bathroom in the rancher.  It was pretty boring when we started -  with no natural light, it relied totally on artificial light.  And it had the added complication of plumbing criss-crossing the basement ceiling below - preventing us from finishing that space.

So, we decided to gut the space and start fresh (and we were able to donate usable items to Habitat for Humanity).  That would allow us to install all new plumbing and improve the layout.  

But I was still bothered by the lack of sunlight.  We briefly thought about adding a window in the shower - but that always seems a bit awkward.  So instead, we tried a Velux Sun Tunnel.  Wow, what a difference!  It's like having a light on all day long!

Look how bright it is with no artificial light!!  Velux Sun Tunnel 

And once we got the room all opened up, we realized that we could add more storage space above the basement staircase.  Added space for towels and toiletries is always a bonus!  Want to buy a giant package of toilet paper?  Go right ahead - you can store it in the back of this deep shelf.  Need a place for beach towels?  It's perfect!

I installed a carrera and bardiglio marble floor that I'd been lusting after for a long time.  Don't you love the updated look on the classic hexagon?

I just love the pattern and it's such a great foundation.  I used the same bardiglio in a small mosaic as a speed strip around the shower.

A white vanity with a carrera marble top works beautifully with the floor.  I love the bold 'X' pattern on the front and sides.  We added a simple pivot mirror and sconces to either side.

With all of the white in the room, I wanted to offset it with a soft blue on the walls.  Sherwin Williams Sleepy Blue looks great against the marble and white trim. 

I'm so pleased with the final bathroom.  If you only have one full bath in a house - you need to make it special!!

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Sources:  

Vanity - Wayfair Wimbledon Vanity

Light Fixtures - Restoration Hardware Edison Milk Glass Sconce

Mirror - Gatco Tavern Mirror

Faucet - Wayfair Delta Dryden in Polished Nickel

Shower Curtain - Target

Tub & Toilet - American Standard Princeton Tub and Vormax Toilet

Sun Tunnel - Velux

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1960's Rancher to Cozy Cottage: The Bedrooms Before and After

While we didn't make big structural changes to the bedrooms in this house, we did update all the finishes and woodwork.  Gone are the old windows with their horizontal mullions.  Gone is the ranch molding, the plain luan doors and doorknobs.  Gone are the old light fixtures.

The bedrooms for the house are down a short hallway off of the living area.

Now, the rooms have beautiful finishes throughout.  

Master Bedroom - Before

Master Bedroom - After

New Lighting Changes the Mood of the Room!

Hallway Light Fixture

In the back bedroom, we made one major change.  Originally, the room had a small transom window on the far wall.  It seemed odd, because there is a big backyard with a lovely view that you couldn't even see!  So we pulled it out and and replaced it with this big new window.  

Framing the big new window

What a difference!  Now the room gets the morning sun streaming in each day.
Replacing all the woodwork, doors and door hardware also had a huge impact!  Farewell bland ranch.  Hello cottage style!

I love the bedding and styling of this room - so fun!  The Save the Wild pillow set the theme for the whole room.  

And as you've seen elsewhere in the house, replacing the ranch molding, plain white doors and doorknobs made a world of difference.

Back Bedroom Before - plain doors, knobs and woodwork

Back Bedroom After - all updated!

Quite a difference, don't you think?

Original painting - Earth Angel Arts

Sources:

Light Fixtures:  Wayfair for Hallway (Centauree single light)  and Master Bedroom (Brooklyn 3 flush mount light)

Doorknobs:  Nostalgic Warehouse

Master Bedding:  West Elm Nomad Coverlet, shams and throw.  Homegoods pillow

Kids Bedding:  Furry throw, embroidered pillow and blanket - Pottery Barn Kids, Orange quilt & stuffed bear - Target, sunburst pillow - IKEA
Adventure Sign - Etsy

Hanging Light Fixture - Target, spray painted to match bedding
Hallway Mirror - LL Bean Home

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1960 Ranch Living Room and Open Floor Plan - Before & After

My first thought when I walked in the door - this place is tight and dark.  The walls were painted deep green and the windows didn't let in a lot of light.  In order to make it attractive to a future buyer, we needed to change all that with an ambitious plan.

And it was ambitious indeed!   Tear out the wall between the living room and kitchen and raise the ceiling.  It was a big job, because to support the new cathedral ceiling we had to add a new ridge beam and a new truss system.  It was the single biggest budget item on the whole house.....but to my way of thinking, money well spent!

The result?  A real wow space!  With lots of light streaming through!

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And some of the key features?

Board & Batten Wall - I don't know anyone that's ever found a shiplap wall in Maine.  But board and batten is traditional and adds some great architectural interest to the room.  It's also a great way to highlight the volume of the space.

Reclaimed lumber - we wrapped the structural ridge beam with reclaimed wood, but didn't stop there.  We also created a custom stove hood as well as a backing for the peninsula (an added bonus - it can take lots of abuse from scuffs and scrapes from the stools!).

Recessed lighting - to keep the whole space well lit, we installed lots of LED lights across the ceiling.  They won't need bulb changes for many, many years.  But thanks to dimmers, they can make the space bright or cozy.

Natural Light - thanks to new windows and a skylight, the whole space is light and bright.  The updated 2 over 2 styling gave the room a bit more character.  But they also have a lot more glass than the old windows and bring in a lot more light.  Oh, and they're much more energy efficient!

Details - we always incorporate special touches like these gorgeous doorknobs with the crystal handles.  Paired with the new two panel doors, they give the house some character that was missing with the plain old luan doors.

And of course I love the built in china cabinet we created from the antique window I found at Brimfield Antique Mart.  It's a huge improvement over the blank green door that was there before.

It was so much fun to hear people's reaction as they walked through the door during the Open House  This grand space is such a surprise in a 1960's rancher - and will be so nice for the new homeowner.

Living Room Sources:

  -  Window Treatments - Fabric from Home Remedies
  -  Sofa - IKEA Ektorp
  -  Blue Chair - IKEA
  -  Nesting Coffee Tables - Crate & Barrel
  -  Side Chair - Bottrell Tufted Side Chair from Wayfair
  -  Blue Arm Chair - IKEA
  -  Rug - Zara Home
  -  Painting - Holly Lombardo original
  -  Doorknob - Nostalgic Warehouse
  -  Lantern - Pottery Barn
  -  Pendants - Restoration Hardware
  -  Antique Double Mirror - Brimfield Antique Mart
  -  Paint Colors - Sherwin Williams:  Walls - Downy White, Trim - Extra White

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