Remodelling the Basement

Our basement was a functional, utilitarian space.  It had long ago lost what little novelty or newness it had.  The years had not been good to it.  We had not been good to it.  The decor was dated and dark.  As my love for it waned, so, too, the frequency with which I cleaned it.  That I couldn't find any pictures of the basement prior to starting the remodelling is only testimony to just how little regard I gave to this space. 

I didn't think to start taking pictures of the remodelling process at first.  The demolition was messy but gave little vision of what was to come.  Only after the wood panelling was repaced by drywall could I begin to see that yes, indeed, the basement could be brighter and more welcoming.  Messy, still, yes, but with promise.



This corner once had a small closet.  It was busted out to make for a larger shower on the other side.

The empty space will hold a built in ironing board.

This is the hallway that leads upstairs.

The bathroom entry.  A pedestal sink will be installed where the plumbing fixtures are.

This is the shower area, considerably larger than what was there before.

At this point the walls have received their first coat of paint.  The gray door will be replaced at some point.

Things are getting lighter.  The panel light has increased significantly how bright the room can be.  A work table will be located directly under this light.  The TV will probably still be in the corner where it has always been but possibly on the wall near the corner with the piano between the wall and the closet.  We have yet to decide.

The bathroom wall is gray but with a tinge of blue.  It blends nicely with the gray in the shower tiles.

The shower tiles.  There is a seat in one corner and two small shelves in the other.

Our plan is to not have a shower door.  We may, however, have to install a glass panel on the one side.  We won't decide until we've seen just how much water sprays into the rest of the bath.  I'm thinking it won't be a problem.

This is where the pedestal sink will be.  An oval mirror above with lighting above it.

The new tile floor is now in and the new ceiling tiles are starting to be put up.  The poles and the strip along the ceiling will be covered before all is said and done.  Notice the tiles on the bathroom wall.

The shower and bath.  What a difference!  Light/fan still needs to be installed, along with the toilet stool and sink but now more than ever, I can see what the final result will be.  Accessories will be black.  Towels will be red.

Very retro bath.  Fixtures will be brushed nickel.  One thing we have noticed is just how out of square things have been.  Amazing.

Well, there is a lot of work yet to be done in the next week.  Clearly the finishing details will add a lot to the overall look.  But we all know what will really make the space is how we decorate it once the shell is complete.  I'm looking forward to reclaiming the house to ourselves and taking my time buying the furniture, rugs, and other decorative elements that will turn this basement and bath into a well loved space.  The living we will do in it will make it home.