Waukesha Lower Level Rustic Staircase, Milwaukee

Cleverly tucked beneath the stairs, this wet bar ensures that one rarely has to leave the basement. The custom built-ins include a wine rack, beverage refrigerator and sink. Puck lights underneath the staircase draw the eye to the stacked-stone wall above the countertop.The strong diagonal line of the staircase divides stone and logs, railings and wine rack. The hickory cabinets have a simple, rustic style, with unfussy doors and drawers. The countertop is granite.

You should make your basement a …Lodge: Retreat to a subterranean log cabin–style space, just as this Wisconsin homeowner does. When the devoted muskie fisherman needed a place for his trophies and photo and fishing gear, his wife lovingly suggested he take over the basement in true log cabin fashion. Designer Melissa Bovee used pine half logs, copper rust slate and comfortable furnishings to reel in a design to fulfill the big request. See more of this basement

I like the concept but Aaron thinks that is a load bearing wall.