It’s been said that when you dream about a house, the basement represents your subconscious level. Perhaps that was true in the past, when basements were often neglected. But in most of today’s new builds and remodels, lower levels are becoming valuable living spaces. If you’re looking at building or renovating, opening up that lower level with sufficient light can add square footage and value to your home. In addition, having access to bright indoor areas can help combat cabin fever, which peaks in late winter. Looking at the photos here, you’d never know what you’re seeing is a lower level. That’s because a smart builder knew that bringing natural light into the space was key. Our job, in furnishing the space, was to make the most of that light. The off-white walls and light grey carpet provide a good base. A grey sectional sofa with clean, modern lines easily fits into the spacious room. It’s an ideal piece to encourage people to spend time together. The strong, forgiving linen resists staining, and like a blank canvas this true neutral allows for accessorizing with various throws and pillows depending on the season. The cream-colored throw echoes the light colors in the space, while the nubby pillow adds a textured contrast.

Photo by KuDa Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary freestanding desk cork floor home office remodel in Portland with white walls and no fireplace

A beaded wood panel and furniture base molding trims out the back of the island in this two-toned transitional styled kitchen. Dark finished back panels can show dust, soil and scuffs easier than light or medium tones. The grooves and texture of a beadboard panel can provide a very forgiving surface if you plan on having barstools along the back of your kitchen island. Photo by Aspen Homes (Bettendorf, IA)

Cottage kitchen photo in Nashville

Returning a vintage feel to a master bath in a 3rd floor Wrigleyville walk-up. Honed white carrara is more forgiving and adds to a sense of history and permanence. Easy access is the key to the wide and deep custom medicine cabinet. A pair of 18" wide drawer banks allow for plenty of functional storage. 1" honed white carrara hexagon tiles from Subway Tiles are bordered by a band of black granite mosaic. The floor is framed out in 8"x12" honed carrara pieces.

A long....center island connects the living and dining rooms. The cork floors are inset in the concrete, allowing for a forgivable and more comfortable standing surface.

This lovely kitchen on the ocean was created with custom Grabill cabinets, a black island, white cabinets, hanging glass pendants, with a wine bar. Near-black dark brown Kodiac granite countertops that have a forgiving leathered surface were used as well as Brown Fantasy granite for the center island. Photography by Dan Cutrona

Honed Calacatta Caldia marble countertops and island with a waterfall, a full-height backsplash and a 2.5-inch mitered edge. Calacatta Caldia comes from Carrara, Italy: a white crystalline base with soft, smoky veins in grey and sage, touched with gold. Honed is the more forgiving marble finish in a kitchen, because etching from lemon or wine blends into the matte surface. Like all marble, it is sealed. No two Calacatta slabs are alike. You choose yours in person. (773) 600-6748 Built for spaces that matter.

Joyce Lee
Enclosed kitchen - small eclectic u-shaped enclosed kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, white appliances and no island

Inspiration for a transitional laundry room remodel in Boston

Mid-sized beach style open concept dark wood floor living room photo in Los Angeles with gray walls

Walls were removed between the family room and dining room and the family room and kitchen. All three spaces feel open and connected. While window treatments, pillows and blue chair backs are Cowtan and Tout fabrics, easy clean Crypton fabrics cover the blue chair seats and tan wing back chairs. Forgiving surfaces make this room low maintenance but compatible with the formal dining room.

Active busy household gardens, pickles, ferments, cans and cooks from scratch. Durable forgiving Atlantic Salt quartz keeps it looking good during processing. Wise surface choice for sanity and sanitation. photo: Laurie Brasnett

We did all 6" White Oak in this modern condo. We did a dark stain that dramatically offsets the white cabinets as well as the rest of the home. We did a very subtle hand scrape, which helps hide possible dents and dings. It makes a floor much more forgiving. Joe Photography

Example of a mid-sized beach style master limestone floor freestanding bathtub design in New York with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, beige walls and a drop-in sink

An impressive 20 foot high clearstory greets you upon entering the new master bedroom. Bringing in natural light, these remotely wired windows are easily operable from any location in the room. The French doors step out onto the new brick patio and private gardens. Soft and forgiving planks of cork created the bedroom’s walking surface.

Example of a trendy white tile and subway tile alcove shower design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white countertops

Dudley Lane- The existing kitchen was dark, cramped, and lacked ample storage space. The newly renovated kitchen feels much more open and airy with the use of warm cream colored cabinetry with glazing. The open cabinetry and built in cork boards give this kitchen a functional charm. Resilient flooring was used in substitute of a natural stone floor and has a strikingly similar look and texture. This surface is much more durable and forgiving. The granite countertop ties the kitchen together and completes this successful renovation.

Family room for another very busy family with young kids and pets. Fabrics needed to be forgiving and durable, yet pretty. We designed and commissioned this wall to give some display space and house the television. Previously, there had been brown built-ins and awkward mouldings under and around the windows. We chose to remove those and showcase the stone fireplace and shift the color balance. Photo Credits-Jean C. Mays