In this project, Rochman Design Build converted an unfinished basement of a new Ann Arbor home into a stunning home pub and entertaining area, with commercial grade space for the owners' craft brewing passion. The feel is that of a speakeasy as a dark and hidden gem found in prohibition time. The materials include charcoal stained concrete floor, an arched wall veneered with red brick, and an exposed ceiling structure painted black. Bright copper is used as the sparkling gem with a pressed-tin-type ceiling over the bar area, which seats 10, copper bar top and concrete counters. Old style light fixtures with bare Edison bulbs, well placed LED accent lights under the bar top, thick shelves, steel supports and copper rivet connections accent the feel of the 6 active taps old-style pub. Meanwhile, the brewing room is splendidly modern with large scale brewing equipment, commercial ventilation hood, wash down facilities and specialty equipment. A large window allows a full view into the brewing room from the pub sitting area. In addition, the space is large enough to feel cozy enough for 4 around a high-top table or entertain a large gathering of 50. The basement remodel also includes a wine cellar, a guest bathroom and a room that can be used either as guest room or game room, and a storage area.

Kitchen with island and light well above for natural light from above. View to side yard with playful cement fiber board fence painted in various colors. Photo by Dan Arnold

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

How about a media room with soft separation by stone and walnut columns, LED lighted tray ceiling with crown molding, Runco projector, 108” screen surrounded by 10’ x 9’ built-in custom walnut woodwork and stone columns including a component cabinet with slots for subwoofers? And if there is a bar, there needs to be a wine cellar with custom walnut wine racks to match, LED lighting and spray foam insulation and vapor barrier, right? Well this ideal finished basement was completed for our clients who love ALL these features as well as an exercise room, India accent lighted wall pocket to display their quality pieces and plenty of CAT 6 network/media wiring.

I designed the ceiling beams and the wood inlay to add interest and warmth to the basement. A lighting plan is very important to a basement design, It is the difference between it feeling alive verses feeling like a dungeon. Design client wanted stone added somewhere. So I designed where to put the veneer and made sure the lights played off the stone. I designed the cabinets to function well for storage, entertaining and for the kids craft area. A large black board was added to the design. One of the secrets of making this room feel less like a basement is adding the fixed shutters below the actual windows. Keeps the ceiling feeling high and gives the windows the illusion of being large. Fun Project!!!!

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

DETROIT HOME DESIGN AWARD winner! Spectacular Rustic/Modern Basement Renovation - The large unfinished basement of this beautiful custom home was transformed into a rustic family retreat. The new space has something for everyone and adds over 1800 sq. feet of living space with something for the whole family. The walkout basement has plenty of natural light and offers several places to gather, play games, or get away. A home office and full bathroom add function and convenience for the homeowners and their guests. A two-sided stone fireplace helps to define and divide the large room as well as to warm the atmosphere and the Michigan winter nights. The undeniable pinnacle of this remodel is the custom, old-world inspired bar made of massive timber beams and 100 year-old reclaimed barn wood that we were able to salvage from the iconic Milford Shutter Shop. The Barrel vaulted, tongue and groove ceiling add to the authentic look and feel the owners desired. Brookhaven, Knotty Alder cabinets and display shelving, black honed granite countertops, Black River Ledge cultured stone accents, custom Speake-easy door with wrought iron details, and glass pendant lighting with vintage Edison bulbs together send guests back in time to a rustic saloon of yesteryear. The high-tech additions of high-def. flat screen TV and recessed LED accent light are the hint that this is a contemporary project. This is truly a work of art! - Photography Michael Raffin MARS Photography

Inset cabinetry painted Linen and Gray with a brush finish. Brushed gold accents and vintage gold faucets complete the look. Spanish inspired cement tiles pair well with the existing flooring.

Hanging rod for drying clothes, as well as a rinsing sink, laundry machines and ample cabinetry for supplies
Inspiration for a contemporary laundry room remodel in Detroit

This project included a whole first floor and basement remodel. With the first floor, the space where the laundry room was originally located was converted and instead utilized for the kitchen area. A new floor system was framed to provide a new laundry room in the garage. Several walls were removed to open up the space of the kitchen to the rest of the first floor. Granite counter tops, custom glazed cabinetry, and hand scraped wood floors were included in this kitchen. For aesthetics and style, the island in the middle of the kitchen was stained to provide a contrast to the cream-colored cabinets throughout the kitchen. The material over the fireplace was removed, new tile was installed, and the walls, ceiling, and woodwork were repainted. Like the kitchen, the basement included a new hand scraped wood floor. The basement was completely gutted, framed, drywalled, and finished like the first floor as well. A new bar with custom cabinetry was installed. Along the foot of the cabinets of the bar a new metal bar was installed to provide a commercial feel. Pendant lights were installed to hang just above those seated at the bar. A new full bathroom and closet were added in the basement as well. Architect: Constantine Design Group Photography: Bird and Branch

Stylish basement with open laundry area. The laundry can be separated from the family area by the pocket doors you see peeking out from behind the curtains. Architecture & Design by Meriwether Felt. Photos by Susan Gilmore

This white kitchen is grounded by the dark espresso island. Carrara marble island with wine storage on the side create a beautiful contrast to the white cabinets with the silestone grey countertops and herringbone backsplash tile. This kithchen renovation included the removal of a load bearing wall to open it up and make it feel bright and airy.

Nadia Gottfried
Double shower - contemporary master gray tile and pebble tile porcelain tile double shower idea in Calgary with recessed-panel cabinets, white walls, marble countertops and an undermount sink

These beautiful, metallic globe lights add a contemporary element to this otherwise quaint and cozy traditional kitchen. The copper color of the pendant lights pairs well with the peach and gray color scheme of the room.

The basement is developed into a family activity area, with bookcase, games table, pool table, table tennis, foosball and built-in bar. A fully-equipped media room is located in an alcove adjacent to the play area. User-programmable LED lights accent the raised ceiling areas. The basement also incorporates a gym, guest bedroom, a large storage area/workshop and a wine cellar.

This bathroom is found in the basement of the house. With low ceilings and no windows, the designer was able to add some life to this room through his design. The double vanity is perfect for him and hers. The shower includes a steam unit for a perfect spa retreat in your own home. The tile flowing over to the ceiling brings in the whole room. The mirrors are electric mirrors which include great lighting and a tv inside the mirror itself! Overall, it's the perfect escape from a long day at work or just to simply relax in. Astro Design Centre - Ottawa, Canada DoubleSpace Photography

Leslie Goodwin Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor family room remodel in Toronto with white walls and no fireplace

Harnessing this antique barn board in it original colours is the soul of this basement space. In the centre of the photo you can see into the glorious new bathroom with glass surround shower and subway tiling throughout.

Example of a mid-sized trendy light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Ottawa with gray walls and no fireplace