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phil_mitchelson

Secret 60x5 ft room discovered - what to do?

10 years ago

Hello everyone - random one for a Friday…

I live in an end of terrace flat in a period property in London, owning the basement and ground floor. I have had an amazing discovery. I moved in a few months ago, and my solicitor sent me a note to say check the wall in the basement (currently my lounge) as the land registry plans are different to my current floor plan

I have discovered two 30ftx5ft under pavement vaults ( used to store coal etc back in early 1900s) that are connected to the lounge, the door of which was bricked/plastered over in the 1950s. - I am yet to break through, currently drilled a hole and put an endoscope through to explore..

but i expect it to look like this

http://www.stonehousebasements.co.uk/Pictures/Basements/VaultsCS2_1.jpg


I am now sitting on about a potential 300sq foot to create something amazing out of.
Couple of questions:

1) Has anyone any experience with the renovation of under pavement vaults? I know it needs damp proofing and a pump adding.

2) I need ideas of what on earth to do with all this space??

At current property prices the house is about £800 sqfoot, so if I half due to basement and no windows there is a potential £120,000 of value so i could put a decent budget into the creation.

Would love to be bombarded with ideas/thoughts if you have any

cheers

Comments (307)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Like the tile. Really like the wallpaper. Great choice. Actually prefer the first lights without all that pink, though.


    Scrolled back through your posts looking at all the progress. Amazing transformation.


    Since this is a private residence rather than a business … but is also very narrow … was wondering: Have you been given any zoning limitations on how many people you can have in your living-room-mini--nightclub at any one time?

  • 7 years ago
    Looks amazing!!! I haven’t gotten any notifications either:(! Glad I checked back ; I don’t want to miss the progress!!!
  • 7 years ago

    Hi guys.. so finally decided on the paint for the pod, and got some more material samples coming - will be collecting the paint this eve, and painting tomorrow...


    Per one of the previous questions above, the neon ( second one i have fitted as the builders broke the first one!) is on a separate circuit so you can have the neon , if its a party , or the edison bulbs if its Tuesday afternoon!





    the pod has been dry fitted for the marble table top, and i have added "ribbed" panels to the roof to add some depth and texture




    there is storage hidden in the seating on the left, on the right is a huge sub speaker..


    More pics tomorrow eve i hope :)


  • 7 years ago
    Looks wonderful. The neon is one of my favorite things.
  • 7 years ago

    Phi;- your space is looking fantastic!

  • 7 years ago
    This makes me so happy! Such fun!
  • 7 years ago

    So very cool! I love this little hidden gem and I'm following along as you complete this journey!

  • 7 years ago

    Following!

  • 7 years ago
    Looks wonderful. The neon is one of my favorite things.
  • 7 years ago
    Amazing!
  • 7 years ago
    Really hope Houzz does something special with this! AMAZING!
    Phil Mitchelson thanked Jen Butler
  • 7 years ago

    The pod is now Pink! just need to paint the bottoms of the seats to match the blue walls and figure out how to install the marble table - with just the one leg at the front for room for gangly legs to sit down...




  • 7 years ago
    The ribbed panels make such a big statement for so little effort. Good job. The pink is wonderful with the blue.
    Phil Mitchelson thanked Seajay Sparkles
  • 7 years ago

    Can't believe I've been following this for 2+ years! This project is absolutely amazing!

    Phil Mitchelson thanked chiflipper
  • 7 years ago

    Wow, love the pink, and the ribbed panels! Amazing!

    Phil Mitchelson thanked gm_tx
  • 7 years ago
    It’s getting harder and harder to remember what it used to look like. The pink is awesome with the blue and the wood stripes on the ceiling add so much for so little.
    Phil Mitchelson thanked Seajay Sparkles
  • 7 years ago

    Love the pink pod!


    It's a bit of a psychedelic Bag End. As in Frodo ate the wrong mushrooms.

    Phil Mitchelson thanked P Banos
  • 7 years ago

    It's a bit of a psychedelic Bag End. As in Frodo ate the wrong mushrooms.

    Exactly! Or a little too much pipeweed!

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Pink ... or is that iris mauve?

    https://m.valsparpaint.com/color-chip.php?id=101320&g=100008&r=lowes.


    Upvote either way for not "going bland".

    Phil Mitchelson thanked suezbell
  • 7 years ago
    Was waiting for some deserved Ryder Cup digs! haha

    Great win!
  • 7 years ago

    It's a Pepto Bismol pink and really works with the green, also works with too much drinking!




    Phil Mitchelson thanked Jennifer Dube
  • 7 years ago

    If not clear, I love it!


  • 7 years ago
    I like it; it’s kind of an old world plaster pink that really works well with the retro floor. Good job!
    Phil Mitchelson thanked Business_Name_Placeholder
  • 7 years ago

    Love the dusty pink and it looks fabulous against the blue. Phil, you certainly got the Urban Glamour style right! I don't know about the rest of your house, but this part is ready for Living Etc.

    frostyfootball: Ryder Cup, Laver Cup - it was a good week for Europe ;-)

  • 7 years ago

    Thank you Babophz - the rest of the place is pretty similar , if not filled with more curiosities :) . Will take some snaps when Im finished on this little one

  • 7 years ago



  • 7 years ago

    the bar is built, and just waiting on a keg to be delivered!

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    YOU DID IT! We just got to watch - but living through you has been great fun. Can't wait to see the bookcase door- we have done several and they are really quite clever.


    Phil Mitchelson thanked Pacific Coast Cabinetry
  • 7 years ago
    Such a cool transformation! I’m curious what the rest of the place looks like!
    Phil Mitchelson thanked Rachel Lee
  • 7 years ago



  • 7 years ago



  • 7 years ago
    WOW just WOW !!!
  • 7 years ago
    Such a wonderful journey you have taken us on!!!! Looks fabulous!!!
  • 7 years ago

    Very nice. Well the keg be kept cold?

  • 7 years ago

    So a little weekend of mirror tiling, table fitting and dressing the pink pod...


    just wating on fabric to finish off.. we are getting close guys.

  • 7 years ago

    few pics of the rest of the place...







    Will take a few more when i have a min :) .

  • 7 years ago
    This has been a fascinating journey to watch!
    Phil Mitchelson thanked wysmama
  • 7 years ago
    You’ve done an amazing job, Phil! I love all of your choices. I especially like that dark hallway to the loo. I really wish Houzz would send a photographer your way so one of their writers could do a story.
    Phil Mitchelson thanked wantdrapes
  • 7 years ago

    oh ya. this would totally make a great Houzz story.

    Phil Mitchelson thanked drdeb1234
  • 7 years ago
    Ahhh looks so great! What awesome use of space and decor is just perfect.
    Phil Mitchelson thanked mrswaves
  • 7 years ago

    Love that snazzy mirror tile! So fun!

    Phil Mitchelson thanked gm_tx
  • 7 years ago

    Yes, the mirror tiles are perfectly placed. Love it!

    Phil Mitchelson thanked Kim
  • 7 years ago

    Beautiful, thank you for sharing.

    Phil Mitchelson thanked emmarene9
  • 7 years ago
    Just fabulous Phil! Love your dining room as well! What a talented guy!!!
    Phil Mitchelson thanked Business_Name_Placeholder
  • 7 years ago
    I love the botanical prints in your dining room Phil; are they Trowbridge Galleries?
  • 7 years ago

    Hi lynartist.. they are from a company in the UK called Oka.. lovely stuff.. :)

  • 7 years ago


    Random snap of my hall, so close to finishing my wall o'stuff.. no idea why but this was the first bit I started working on

  • 7 years ago
    Thanks Phil; I wasn’t familiar with Oka! Just checked it out; they do have lovely things !!!!
    Phil Mitchelson thanked Business_Name_Placeholder
  • 7 years ago
    Love the random stuff hallway. Great knight skateboard deck
    Phil Mitchelson thanked mrswaves
  • 7 years ago

    When's the secret room warming party? We're all invited, right?

    Phil Mitchelson thanked Jennifer Dube