The rear of this Central Street Neighborhood yard floods regularly during heavy rains. Rather than fight mother nature, Prassas Landscape Studio created a rain garden to store excess stormwater until it can percolate into the soil. The rain garden is also fed by the roof’s runoff and basement’s sump pump through a contemporary steel runnel. Stone steppers penetrate a curved wall to lead to the back firepit seating area. The upper terrace stairs were modernized and the lower terrace was reconfigured. Darris Lee Harris Photography

Alcove shower - contemporary gray tile beige floor alcove shower idea in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Tired of doing laundry in an unfinished rugged basement? These homeowner's were as well! They contacted Castle to help them with their basement planning and build for a finished laundry space and new bathroom with shower. After the designer and client walked through ideas to improve flow of space, we decided to eliminate the existing 1/2 bath in the family room, and move the new bathroom into the existing laundry room. The full laundry room was finished to include new walls, ceilings, new plumbing, new Adura luxury vinyl tile flooring, beautiful shaker style cabinetry with beadboard panel, Glossy white Cultured marble countertops, a new Blanco composite sink, and Kohler Bellera faucet. In the new bathroom space, we continued the Adura luxury vinyl flooring. Finishes in the bathroom include Kohler Memoirs pedestal sink, Kohler Archer faucet, custom hex tile shower floor, subway tile walls, and custom frameless glass shower enclosure. Additional improvements were made to improve the health of the home including asbestos tile abatement, new drain tile and sump pump, new spray foam insulation, new glass block window, and a new Panasonic bathroom fan. We also decided to save and restore some original pieces in the home like their existing 5-panel doors and repurposing one salvaged door into a pocket door for the new bathroom. The homeowner completed the basement finish with new carpeting in the family room. The whole basement feels fresh, new, and has a great flow. They will enjoy their happy and healthy home for years to come.

Custom Basement finished with removable Sump pump cabinet to conceal sump pump pit and emergency back -up system. Cabinet matches new wet bar wood finish and granite top, built at bar height to accommodate a few 30" bar stools. Dominica Woodbury photography

With the pending arrival of a beautiful baby girl, the homeowners of this 1928 Minneapolis Tudor wanted a basement that was conducive to a young child, but would still allow a place for family to gather and the occasional house guest. The original basement was typical; cold, lacking natural light with tiny, uncomfortably confined rooms and that “unique” basement smell. The goal was to reverse all of the ill effects of a rarely unappreciated space while increasing the performance of the older home. The frigid temperatures and wet, mildew odor was remedied by demolishing the entire slab floor and excavating to gain an extra six inches in ceiling height. It also allowed us to insulate to R-15, moisture proof under the new slab, install a drain tile and sump pump. Within the concrete slab is a hydronic, in-floor radiant heating system which further helps to add comfort to the space. Lastly, we also sprayed a closed-cell, expanding urethane foam on the inside of the foundation walls all the way to the first floor. To help bring more light down to the basement, we started by opening up the staircase on both sides. A curved wall bends light into the lower level while a countertop and cubbies below provide storage space for odds and ends. On the opposite wall, creatively placed cubbies provide places for paintings, ceramics and plants. We also removed the tiny 18” x 34” window on the south wall and installed a full-sized, high-efficiency, triple pane Pella egress window. To let lots of natural light into the window, we expanded the size of the cedar-lined egress well and included a built-in planter at the base to help bring life into an otherwise empty cavity. Small, unspecified spaces that became storage areas now have purpose. The areas are defined, yet open. Upon descending down the stairs, one is greeted by a large living room with curved walls, custom design media center, built-in daybed and bookshelves. Use of paint was important in the design. Naturally in older homes basements are going to have exposed beams, soffits and a whole gambit of nooks and crannies. Instead of disguising them, we played them up, which created a layer effect with the color. The color also adds a touch of playfulness which anyone, regardless of age, can enjoy. We scavenged the client’s garage and discovered that the previous homeowner kept the old, full-view glass front entry door in the garage. We re-installed the original glass knob and attached the door to sliding barn door hardware which was attached to the main structural beam of the lower level. On the other side of the door was the homeowners’ combined office and small fitness area. The office floor is a blend of thin strips of different colored cork. A built-in storage cabinet sits across from a site-built desk which forms to the curve of the dividing wall. A small, square hole in the curved wall provides a view to see who is coming down the stairs. Opposite of the office area and directly at the base of the stairs is a place for the homeowner’s treadmill. Hidden is the mechanical room, which is home to many green and energy efficient products. The washing machine is a low-water consumption unit while the dryer requires less energy to operate than most standard units. Both sit atop a checkerboard pattern of different colored VCT tiles. We also replaced the aging boiler, which only heated the first and second level, with a 95% efficient heat source for the entire house—including the basement. Behind the curved wall, the bathroom is conveniently located. A large, custom built no-formaldehyde added vanity supports the slab of remnant granite countertop. A piece of eco-resin wall panel, embedded with organic material, contains water in the shower and blends beautifully with the updated colors. Tucked under the stairs, we installed a dual-flush, low-water consumption toilet. Through creative space planning, we packed a lot of into a rather small space. As a result, we have three very happy homeowners who are enjoying their light, clean and safe lower level of their home—however, they’ve been hard pressed to think of it as a “basement”. highlights Moisture management system Insulated slab Hydronic in-floor heat Formaldehyde free cabinetry MN-made custom cabinets Ultra-low VOC paints Wool carpet Dual-flush toilet Cork floor No recessed lights Cedar egress window well with planter Re-used door Eco-resin

Elegant home design photo in Detroit

Mid-sized elegant l-shaped wood railing staircase photo in Detroit

Basement Show Home located in Fairview, Texas. Custom elevator with 4 stops which includes the attic. Full size basement with karate studio. This home is all Steel Framing.

Basement Home located in Fairview, Texas. Basement built which partial insulated blocks. Full size basement
Large elegant beige three-story stucco house exterior photo in Dallas with a hip roof and a shingle roof

The rear of this Central Street Neighborhood yard floods regularly during heavy rains. Rather than fight mother nature, Prassas Landscape Studio created a rain garden to store excess stormwater until it can percolate into the soil. The rain garden is also fed by the roof’s runoff and basement’s sump pump through a contemporary steel runnel. Stone steppers penetrate a curved wall to lead to the back firepit seating area. The upper terrace stairs were modernized and the lower terrace was reconfigured. Darris Lee Harris Photography

Basement - traditional basement idea in Detroit

The photo depicts a basement space in the process of being framed, showcasing the foundational work that is taking place. The framing provides the structure for the basement, determining its layout, size, and overall design. The photo shows an intricate network of support beams, studs, and joists, all carefully positioned to create a solid and sturdy foundation. The framing work appears to be well-executed, with straight lines, level surfaces, and proper alignment. The use of high-quality materials, combined with skilled craftsmanship, is evident, creating a dependable and long-lasting foundation for the basement. The framing serves as the starting point for transforming a blank and unassuming basement into a comfortable and functional living space, offering endless possibilities for customization and design. In addition, the placement and design of the macerator pump allows for a bathroom to efficiently be installed.

Inspiration for a contemporary white three-story house exterior remodel in Seattle with a shed roof

The rear of this Central Street Neighborhood yard floods regularly during heavy rains. Rather than fight mother nature, Prassas Landscape Studio created a rain garden to store excess stormwater until it can percolate into the soil. The rain garden is also fed by the roof’s runoff and basement’s sump pump through a contemporary steel runnel. Stone steppers penetrate a curved wall to lead to the back firepit seating area. The upper terrace stairs were modernized and the lower terrace was reconfigured. Darris Lee Harris Photography

Dedicated laundry room - mid-sized transitional single-wall vinyl floor, gray floor and wallpaper dedicated laundry room idea in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash, green walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Interior drainage system and sump pump installation in Greenville, PA designed to control water intrusion and keep the basement dry long-term.

The photo depicts a basement space in the process of being framed, showcasing the foundational work that is taking place. The framing provides the structure for the basement, determining its layout, size, and overall design. The photo shows an intricate network of support beams, studs, and joists, all carefully positioned to create a solid and sturdy foundation. The framing work appears to be well-executed, with straight lines, level surfaces, and proper alignment. The use of high-quality materials, combined with skilled craftsmanship, is evident, creating a dependable and long-lasting foundation for the basement. The framing serves as the starting point for transforming a blank and unassuming basement into a comfortable and functional living space, offering endless possibilities for customization and design.

Tired of doing laundry in an unfinished rugged basement? These homeowner's were as well! They contacted Castle to help them with their basement planning and build for a finished laundry space and new bathroom with shower. After the designer and client walked through ideas to improve flow of space, we decided to eliminate the existing 1/2 bath in the family room, and move the new bathroom into the existing laundry room. The full laundry room was finished to include new walls, ceilings, new plumbing, new Adura luxury vinyl tile flooring, beautiful shaker style cabinetry with beadboard panel, Glossy white Cultured marble countertops, a new Blanco composite sink, and Kohler Bellera faucet. In the new bathroom space, we continued the Adura luxury vinyl flooring. Finishes in the bathroom include Kohler Memoirs pedestal sink, Kohler Archer faucet, custom hex tile shower floor, subway tile walls, and custom frameless glass shower enclosure. Additional improvements were made to improve the health of the home including asbestos tile abatement, new drain tile and sump pump, new spray foam insulation, new glass block window, and a new Panasonic bathroom fan. We also decided to save and restore some original pieces in the home like their existing 5-panel doors and repurposing one salvaged door into a pocket door for the new bathroom. The homeowner completed the basement finish with new carpeting in the family room. The whole basement feels fresh, new, and has a great flow. They will enjoy their happy and healthy home for years to come.

This bathroom was a must for the homeowners of this 100 year old home. Having only 1 bathroom in the entire home and a growing family, things were getting a little tight. This bathroom was part of a basement renovation which ended up giving the homeowners 14” worth of extra headroom. The concrete slab is sitting on 2” of XPS. This keeps the heat from the heated floor in the bathroom instead of heating the ground and it’s covered with hand painted cement tiles. Sleek wall tiles keep everything clean looking and the niche gives you the storage you need in the shower. Custom cabinetry was fabricated and the cabinet in the wall beside the tub has a removal back in order to access the sewage pump under the stairs if ever needed. The main trunk for the high efficiency furnace also had to run over the bathtub which lead to more creative thinking. A custom box was created inside the duct work in order to allow room for an LED potlight. The seat to the toilet has a built in child seat for all the little ones who use this bathroom, the baseboard is a custom 3 piece baseboard to match the existing and the door knob was sourced to keep the classic transitional look as well. Needless to say, creativity and finesse was a must to bring this bathroom to reality. Although this bathroom did not come easy, it was worth every minute and a complete success in the eyes of our team and the homeowners. An outstanding team effort. Leon T. Switzer/Front Page Media Group