Updated Spec Home: Basement Living Area I promised you there would be a Season 2 of our series Updated Spec Home and here it is – Basement Family Room. My mom and sister found themselves spending more and more time in this room because it was a great open space to watch television and hang out with my sister’s two border collies. Color Scheme We pulled our color scheme from a floral fabric that they saw on a chair at my store, and we used it to reupholster their existing wood accent chairs. We used pops of turquoise and green throughout the space including the long back wall which was perfect to make a feature with this vibrant wallpaper in a geometric design. Defining the Space The room was so large that we needed to define different areas. The large rug in the oversized pattern was perfect for the seating area. Lighting Since there is only one small window bringing natural light into the space, we painted the remaining walls a light warm gray (Sherwin Williams’ City Loft SW7631) and added several table lamps and a floor lamp for task lighting. Reusing Existing Furniture Fortunately the space was large enough so my sister could keep her fabulous worn leather chair and ottoman and my mom could have an upholstered chair and ottoman in a subtle blue and green tweed. The large hallway leading to the storage area was the perfect place for these small bookcases which house family photos in various silver frames. The bookcases have a special place in our hearts – they belonged to my grandparents. We accessorized with a long painted box which was the perfect scale for the bookcases and a grouping of vibrant botanical prints. In lieu of a conventional media cabinet, my mom and sister found this one with a built-in fireplace. It brings a lot of warmth into the space – literally! Painted Furniture We had Kelly Sisler of Kelly Faux Creations paint their existing glass front cabinet this awesome apple green. Accessories include turquoise floral vases, a metallic circular vase, and a beautiful floral print. Reading Nook We positioned this original oil painting in the landing so it would be visible from the seating area. The landing was the perfect spot to display my sister’s collection of art glass. I love the small reading nook created with this rattan wooden accent chair and lantern floor lamp. We were able to make good use of the ledge in the stairwell by leaning these vibrant watercolors. The dogs even have their own space. Meet my two “nephews” – Dill and Atticus (the one with his back to us pouting). We used this colorful oversized canvas to define their space and break up the long wall. As you know, one good thing leads to another. Be sure to tune in next week for a surprise addition to this Updated Spec Home. In the meantime, check out this Basement Family Room designed by Robin’s Nest Interiors. Enjoy!

The "Dream of the '90s" was alive in this industrial loft condo before Neil Kelly Portland Design Consultant Erika Altenhofen got her hands on it. No new roof penetrations could be made, so we were tasked with updating the current footprint. Erika filled the niche with much needed storage provisions, like a shelf and cabinet. The shower tile will replaced with stunning blue "Billie Ombre" tile by Artistic Tile. An impressive marble slab was laid on a fresh navy blue vanity, white oval mirrors and fitting industrial sconce lighting rounds out the remodeled space.

High contrast, high class. The dark grey cabinets (Decor Cabinets finish: bonfire smoke, Top Knobs hardware) and dark grey shower tile (Daltile), contrast with chrome fixtures (Moen & Delta), light grey tile accents, off-white floor tile, and quartz slabs (Pental Surfaces) for the countertop, bench, niches and half-wall caps.

Design objectives for this primary bathroom remodel included: Removing a dated corner shower and deck-mounted tub, creating more storage space, reworking the water closet entry, adding dual vanities and a curbless shower with tub to capture the view.

A generic kids bathroom got a total overhaul. Those who know this client would identify the shoutouts to their love of all things Hamilton, The Musical. Aged Brass Steampunk fixtures, Navy vanity and Floor to ceiling white tile fashioned to read as shiplap all grounded by a classic and warm marbleized chevron tile that could have been here since the days of AHam himself. Rise Up!

This modern rustic bathroom remodel includes two accent walls covered in reclaimed wood paneling, a freestanding slipper tub, a curbless walk-in shower, floating oak vanity and separate toilet room

This modern rustic bathroom remodel includes two accent walls covered in reclaimed wood paneling, a freestanding slipper tub, a curbless walk-in shower, floating oak vanity and separate toilet room

Transitional master white tile and ceramic tile marble floor, white floor and double-sink alcove shower photo in San Francisco with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and a freestanding vanity

Our final installment for this project is the Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area. Below is a BEFORE photo of what the Kitchen looked like when the homeowners purchased their home. The previous homeowners wanted a “lodge” look but they did overdo it a bit with the ledge stone. We lightened up the Kitchen considerably by painting the cabinetry neutral white with a glaze. Creative Finishes by Kelly did an amazing job. The lighter cabinetry contrasts nicely with the hardware floor finish and the dark granite countertops. Even the ledge stone looks great! The island has a wonderful shape with an eating area on the end where 3 stools fit snugly underneath. The oversized pendants are the perfect scale for the large island. The unusual chandelier makes a statement in the Breakfast Area. We added a pop of color with the artwork and grounded this area with a fun geometric rug. There is a lot of cabinetry in this space so we broke up the desk area by painting it Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019), the same color we painted the island column. The homeowners’ wine cabinet and two fun chairs that we reupholstered in a small geometric pattern finish off this area. This Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area is truly a transformation without changing the footprint. When new cabinetry is not an option or your current cabinetry is in great shape but not a great finish, you should consider painting them. This project is proof that it can change the look of your entire Kitchen – for the better! Click here and here for other projects featuring painted cabinets. Enjoy!

The primary goal of this small bathroom remodel was to make the space more accessible, catering to the clients’ changing needs as they age in place. This included converting the bathtub to a walk-in shower with a low-threshold base, adding easy-to-reach shampoo shelves, and installing grab bars for safety. Additionally, the plan included adding counter space, creating more storage with cabinetry, and hiding the laundry chute hole, which was previously on the floor next to the sink.

We completely redesigned the entire basement layout to open it up and make ample room for the spare bedroom, bathroom, pool table, bar, and full-size kitchenette. The bathroom features a large walk-in shower with slate walls and flooring. The kitchenette, complete with a fridge and sink, was custom made to match the coloring of the new pool table. Project designed by Skokie renovation firm, Chi Renovation & Design. They serve the Chicagoland area, and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/round-lake-basement-renovation/

Our final installment for this project is the Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area. Below is a BEFORE photo of what the Kitchen looked like when the homeowners purchased their home. The previous homeowners wanted a “lodge” look but they did overdo it a bit with the ledge stone. We lightened up the Kitchen considerably by painting the cabinetry neutral white with a glaze. Creative Finishes by Kelly did an amazing job. The lighter cabinetry contrasts nicely with the hardware floor finish and the dark granite countertops. Even the ledge stone looks great! The island has a wonderful shape with an eating area on the end where 3 stools fit snugly underneath. The oversized pendants are the perfect scale for the large island. The unusual chandelier makes a statement in the Breakfast Area. We added a pop of color with the artwork and grounded this area with a fun geometric rug. There is a lot of cabinetry in this space so we broke up the desk area by painting it Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019), the same color we painted the island column. The homeowners’ wine cabinet and two fun chairs that we reupholstered in a small geometric pattern finish off this area. This Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area is truly a transformation without changing the footprint. When new cabinetry is not an option or your current cabinetry is in great shape but not a great finish, you should consider painting them. This project is proof that it can change the look of your entire Kitchen – for the better! Click here and here for other projects featuring painted cabinets. Enjoy!

Our final installment for this project is the Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area. Below is a BEFORE photo of what the Kitchen looked like when the homeowners purchased their home. The previous homeowners wanted a “lodge” look but they did overdo it a bit with the ledge stone. We lightened up the Kitchen considerably by painting the cabinetry neutral white with a glaze. Creative Finishes by Kelly did an amazing job. The lighter cabinetry contrasts nicely with the hardware floor finish and the dark granite countertops. Even the ledge stone looks great! The island has a wonderful shape with an eating area on the end where 3 stools fit snugly underneath. The oversized pendants are the perfect scale for the large island. The unusual chandelier makes a statement in the Breakfast Area. We added a pop of color with the artwork and grounded this area with a fun geometric rug. There is a lot of cabinetry in this space so we broke up the desk area by painting it Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019), the same color we painted the island column. The homeowners’ wine cabinet and two fun chairs that we reupholstered in a small geometric pattern finish off this area. This Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area is truly a transformation without changing the footprint. When new cabinetry is not an option or your current cabinetry is in great shape but not a great finish, you should consider painting them. This project is proof that it can change the look of your entire Kitchen – for the better! Click here and here for other projects featuring painted cabinets. Enjoy!

The primary goal of this small bathroom remodel was to make the space more accessible, catering to the clients’ changing needs as they age in place. This included converting the bathtub to a walk-in shower with a low-threshold base, adding easy-to-reach shampoo shelves, and installing grab bars for safety. Additionally, the plan included adding counter space, creating more storage with cabinetry, and hiding the laundry chute hole, which was previously on the floor next to the sink.

The "Dream of the '90s" was alive in this industrial loft condo before Neil Kelly Portland Design Consultant Erika Altenhofen got her hands on it. No new roof penetrations could be made, so we were tasked with updating the current footprint. Erika filled the niche with much needed storage provisions, like a shelf and cabinet. The shower tile will replaced with stunning blue "Billie Ombre" tile by Artistic Tile. An impressive marble slab was laid on a fresh navy blue vanity, white oval mirrors and fitting industrial sconce lighting rounds out the remodeled space.

Our final installment for this project is the Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area. Below is a BEFORE photo of what the Kitchen looked like when the homeowners purchased their home. The previous homeowners wanted a “lodge” look but they did overdo it a bit with the ledge stone. We lightened up the Kitchen considerably by painting the cabinetry neutral white with a glaze. Creative Finishes by Kelly did an amazing job. The lighter cabinetry contrasts nicely with the hardware floor finish and the dark granite countertops. Even the ledge stone looks great! The island has a wonderful shape with an eating area on the end where 3 stools fit snugly underneath. The oversized pendants are the perfect scale for the large island. The unusual chandelier makes a statement in the Breakfast Area. We added a pop of color with the artwork and grounded this area with a fun geometric rug. There is a lot of cabinetry in this space so we broke up the desk area by painting it Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019), the same color we painted the island column. The homeowners’ wine cabinet and two fun chairs that we reupholstered in a small geometric pattern finish off this area. This Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area is truly a transformation without changing the footprint. When new cabinetry is not an option or your current cabinetry is in great shape but not a great finish, you should consider painting them. This project is proof that it can change the look of your entire Kitchen – for the better! Click here and here for other projects featuring painted cabinets. Enjoy!

A laundry room, mud room, and 3/4 guest bathroom were created in a once unfinished garage space. We went with pretty traditional finishes, leading with both creamy white and dark wood cabinets, complemented by black fixtures and river rock tile accents in the shower.

Our final installment for this project is the Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area. Below is a BEFORE photo of what the Kitchen looked like when the homeowners purchased their home. The previous homeowners wanted a “lodge” look but they did overdo it a bit with the ledge stone. We lightened up the Kitchen considerably by painting the cabinetry neutral white with a glaze. Creative Finishes by Kelly did an amazing job. The lighter cabinetry contrasts nicely with the hardware floor finish and the dark granite countertops. Even the ledge stone looks great! The island has a wonderful shape with an eating area on the end where 3 stools fit snugly underneath. The oversized pendants are the perfect scale for the large island. The unusual chandelier makes a statement in the Breakfast Area. We added a pop of color with the artwork and grounded this area with a fun geometric rug. There is a lot of cabinetry in this space so we broke up the desk area by painting it Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019), the same color we painted the island column. The homeowners’ wine cabinet and two fun chairs that we reupholstered in a small geometric pattern finish off this area. This Lake Forest Freshen Up: Kitchen + Breakfast Area is truly a transformation without changing the footprint. When new cabinetry is not an option or your current cabinetry is in great shape but not a great finish, you should consider painting them. This project is proof that it can change the look of your entire Kitchen – for the better! Click here and here for other projects featuring painted cabinets. Enjoy!

The large, expansive shower is the shining star of this project! A standard shower head, a handheld shower installed at the bench, and a ceiling mounted rain showerhead installed for added luxury. A large format 24" x 24" porcelain tile was designed for the main flooring and was also carried to the back wall. This tile is separated by the contrasting tiled shower curb and the stone mosaic at the shower floor. Of course it doesn't stop there with the waterfall edge of the vanity countertop cascading into the shower with a matching quartz bench. The decision to tile the entire vanity wall was made with a clean and contemporary porcelain tile adding an additional "wow" factor. The overall lighting is enhanced in the new design by adding four linear contemporary wall sconces on each side of the vanity mirror. Under cabinet lighting is added under the floating vanity as an accent and also subtle late night illumination