We have a 1200 sf unfinished basement that is being finished starting tomorrow. The contractor who is leading the project is actually a carpenter who creates amazing built-in spaces and has a fantastic eye for design. Although framing will be started tomorrow, we are all still struggling with how to finish one area. This space has a fireplace above it on the 1st & 2nd floor, but I am not interested in having a 3rd fireplace here. This area of the basement will be a rec area with changing purposes as the kids get older, but never a formal area.

We are definitely doing built-ins on either side of the columns. The problem is that if they frame and drywall the columns, we lose so much space in the middle. I really want to do something unique but am coming up short on ideas. He agreed to frame this area last to give us all a few more days, hoping it may help to see the rest of the basement come together a little more.

Anyone have any really cool ideas???