This bedroom and full bathroom are part of an adventuresome project my wife and I embarked upon to create a complete apartment in the basement of our townhouse. We designed a floor plan that creatively and efficiently used all of the 385-square-foot-space, without sacrificing beauty, comfort or function – and all without breaking the bank! To maximize our budget, we did the work ourselves and added everything from thrift store finds to DIY wall art to bring it all together. A partial double closet bar adds a little extra space while still leaving room for longer hanging clothes.

Staircase - mid-sized traditional wooden u-shaped staircase idea in Minneapolis with wooden risers

Exterior, brick, lime, limewash, painted brick, architectural finish

Sometimes, I can’t help but smile. Recently October 5 met a beautiful couple, Al and Shawn. With their two sons gone, they decided to remodel their kitchen. The house was built in 1957, with the original kitchen remaining. When I first met Shawn, she was determined, make no mistake about it. She wanted, “. . . dark cabinets with a dark floor.” End of story! Hmmm . . . I just smiled and listened. She finally asked me what I thought. I told her, “Well, I don’t really see dark cabinets with a dark floor.” Beautifully carved wooden beams supported the living room ceiling, along with a well design wrap-around comfortable bay-window seat. All of it painted white, which looked beautiful and enjoyed architectural significance. I guess after living in a house for 27 years, we tend to overlook its natural treasures. Shawn was having none of it. “Oh my god, white? Who’s going to keep it clean? No way? Dark, dark, dark!” Sometimes, you just have to let an idea sit and marinate. You might guess as to who won . . . remember, I am writing this. Shawn and Al have to be one of my favorite clients of all times. We debated, argued and even kept score. Shawn won on the countertops, Arabian Nights, I have to give her credit, and the backsplash. She did not want outlets in the Carrera Marble backsplash, which surprisingly has changed my opinion, but I won everything else. At the end of the project the score was Shawn = 2 (may be 3) and Jim = 12+ (I eventually lost count, but who’s counting anyway.) Sometimes, I can’t help but smile. Hope you do too, when you look at the pictures below.

Full-overlay Rustic Beech cabinets in the "Charleston" door style and "Briarwood" finish. Village Home Stores
Example of a large mountain style kitchen design in Chicago

Mid-sized elegant carpeted straight wood railing home design photo in New York with carpeted risers

Self
Inspiration for a small modern wooden straight staircase remodel in Louisville with wooden risers

Beautiful custom runner to match the unique measurements of this staircase.
Small wooden curved staircase photo in Minneapolis with wooden risers

Freestanding bathtub - large cottage master porcelain tile and multicolored floor freestanding bathtub idea with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Mid-sized elegant carpeted straight staircase photo in New York with carpeted risers

Minimalist dark wood floor kitchen photo in San Francisco

Wood-look tile floor using porcelain plank tiles in a herringbone pattern.
Living room - traditional porcelain tile living room idea in Sacramento

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional beige tile, gray tile and marble tile alcove shower remodel with beige walls

Large transitional master bedroom photo in Minneapolis with beige walls

Minimalist bedroom photo in Miami

Detail of LED wall sconce with white glass tile background
Inspiration for a small contemporary kids' white tile and glass tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove bathtub remodel in New York with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls and an integrated sink

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash and ceramic backsplash

Example of a small transitional kids' gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile and white floor alcove shower design with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Example of a minimalist shed design in Phoenix