Example of a transitional home design design in Milwaukee

This lovely Brookridge II plan, located at 16716 Haskins Street in the Chapel Hill neighborhood, features a larger lot, covered deck, full walkout lower level, lower level bar and vaulted beam ceiling. (Designer - Teri Stolz, Photographer - E.S. Photography)

This was the second phase of an extensive remodel for this Ham Lake family, so from the outset the design team knew they needed to compliment what had been done in the lower level, bringing some of those elements to the main floor above while achieving other goals. In the lower level we had all but eliminated the influence of the honey oak, which was overwhelming the space devoted to entertainment, replacing it with an ebonized treatment of the trim and cabinetry. “The homeowner had two concerns in this second phase, explains McKenzie Pederson, the Murphy Bros. Design Build Consultant assigned to the project. “The honey oak had to go as it did in the lower level, and a rather large wall that stopped you as you entered the home had to go too. That opened up the whole space,” explained McKenzie. In this second phase, we created a very large custom island, refurbished the fireplace, which had failed, in a new lighter stone, added a hand-scrapped flooring throughout the entire level, updated the pantry and laundry and the powder room. The staircase was recreated in block rod iron and red oak to carry forward the scheme from the lower level. “The homeowners were driven by a strong need to make this home their own and that meant some very specific surface selections and colors,” recalls McKenzie. She really liked earth tones and patterns with lots of movement. You can see that in the granite she chooses. It is huge (122”) was about as large a single piece as you can have and featured a custom hand-hewn 60-degree bevel. Most are 45 degrees. “I think this remodel is a perfect example of the new “forever home” trend,” says McKenzie. People realize they can remodel to please themselves and not just for resale value. That whole return on enjoyment idea is what’s at play here.”

Our homeowners wanted to make this walk-out rambler their own while staying faithful to the character of this architect-designed, mid-century modern, Brooklyn Center residence. We started with a full-scale kitchen remodel. Lots of quartz countertops, floating shelving, and cabinets in black walnut. The master and guest bathrooms were also reconfigured as was the lower-level bathroom. On the lower level, we created a sauna, originally planned but never built. We also relocated the laundry out of the mechanical room and into an unused niche in the lower level and added a workout room. The ceilings were retextured, and the flooring was replaced. To honor the mid-century style, we refinished some of the lower cabinets from the kitchen and designed them into a new wet bar now overlooking the river. As the final design element of ultimate cool, we added an eye-popping custom terrazzo floor in the kitchen and the entryway. Overall, a remodel worthy of an architect's creation.

Some basements are finished. Others are designed to be the most remarkable room in the house. This full lower-level transformation in the Denver Metro area reimagines what a basement can be — combining a cinematic media lounge, a custom entertainer's wet bar, and a spa-caliber bathroom into one cohesive, intentionally designed living environment. From the moment you descend the stairs, it is immediately clear this space was built to a completely different standard. The Media Lounge The entertainment space anchors the lower level with a presence most rooms above grade never achieve. A custom built-in media wall in deep teal is flanked by rich walnut millwork with integrated LED-backlit shelving, creating warmth and sophistication that draws you in immediately. Cognac leather recliners, plush area rugs, and precision-placed recessed lighting complete a space designed equally for intimate evenings and effortless hosting. The cohesive material palette — walnut, teal, warm brass, and deep charcoal — runs seamlessly throughout, connecting every element of the lower level without a single detail left to chance. The Custom Wet Bar Adjacent to the media lounge, the custom wet bar delivers everything a serious host needs — and nothing they don't. Walnut cabinetry with matte black hardware, floating shelves illuminated by warm under-shelf LED lighting, a marble-look quartz backsplash, an integrated bar sink, and a full beverage fridge create a bar experience that elevates a casual evening without effort. This is the kind of craftsmanship that transforms a finished basement into a genuine extension of how a family actually lives and entertains. The Spa Bathroom Rarely does a lower-level bathroom command this level of attention. A floating concrete-look vanity with wall-mount matte black fixtures, a backlit LED mirror casting warm ambient light across the space, a walnut floating bench, frameless glass walk-in shower with a rain head, penny tile shower floor, and large-format dark tile throughout — every element selected with the same care and intention as a primary suite. The result is a bathroom that earns its place in any conversation about the home's finest spaces. The DG Difference DGhomepro is Colorado's premier luxury basement remodeling brand and a specialty division of D&G Construction & Remodels, LLC. We serve homeowners throughout the Denver Metro area, including Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Boulder, Broomfield, Erie, Westminster, Arvada, Longmont, Thornton, Golden, Lakewood, and surrounding communities across the Colorado Front Range.

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

Plan 73325HS, Craftsman Jaw-Dropper, gives you four bedrooms plus two more in the finished lower level (should you choose to finish it out as designed). The home has 4,665 sq. ft. of heated living space and has a stunning appeal inside and out. This is Bed 6 which can also be put to use as an exercise room. It is in the lower level and measures 17'x14'8". The plans are available for purchase for construction and come in prints, PDF and CAD formats. Ready when you are. Where do YOU want to build?

This lovely Brookridge II plan, located at 16716 Haskins Street in the Chapel Hill neighborhood, features a larger lot, covered deck, full walkout lower level, lower level bar and vaulted beam ceiling. (Designer - Teri Stolz, Photographer - E.S. Photography)

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

This lovely Brookridge II plan, located at 16716 Haskins Street in the Chapel Hill neighborhood, features a larger lot, covered deck, full walkout lower level, lower level bar and vaulted beam ceiling. (Designer - Teri Stolz, Photographer - E.S. Photography)

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

Here is a lower level bar area that uses a combination of luxury vinyl and carpeting for the flooring to give it a pop of style. The contrasting planks provide a barn-board appeal to align with the modern farmhouse look. Luxury Vinyl Plank: Karndean Van Gogh Plank Reclaimed Redwood and Salvaged Redwood

This fireplace surround was created using natural limestone plaster applied to standard drywall and carved into a stone block pattern. The primary reasons for using this technique are its lower cost compared to quarried stone, lower weight, and the ability to choose any color and pattern that is desired. Scott Nelson

Lot 6 lower rec room photo - Photo credit @ Heiser Media
Elegant carpeted and beige floor basement photo in Seattle with gray walls

Garaventa Wheelchair Lift Lower Level Side Angle Door Open
Inspiration for an industrial home design remodel in Orange County

Minneapolis homeowners came to Castle ready to transform their whole house including: renovating their kitchen, living, main floor hall bath, and lower level mudroom + laundry. They also added a new 3/4 bath, completed a basement full finish, selected new exterior siding and new Marvin windows. To round things out, new exterior Thermatru doors and garage door were installed, our team updated millwork to birch and installed new siding and exterior trim. The kitchen renovation started with opening up the walls to both the living room and dining room to create a much desired new open floor plan. Our skillful team was able to patch the new hardwoods in the kitchen and refinishing of the main level. The new gourmet kitchen also features a large island topped with gorgeous new Silestone Quartz countertops. The modern Crystal frameless cabinets, set in a Natural Cherry finish, accent nicely with a quartz backsplash. The living room was completed with a new modern gas stove. Main floor hall bath: The homeowners decided to do a full remodel to create better layout of the room. This included adding a new white Crystal Frameless linen cabinet, a larger Crystal Frameless vanity in blue, a brand new window, and new tub. The room was complete with brand new ceramic tile floor and the tub/ shower walls. A custom accent tile was installed in the shower niche. On the lower level of the home, a new garage door and new door to the backyard were installed. A second laundry in home with mudroom storage was also added. A new 3/4 bath with new cultured marble shower walls + pan were also added to the lower level. The entire lower level space was finished with Adura LVT flooring throughout. Basement level: The homeowners chose to do a complete full finish of the basement with framing for a new family room, utility room, bedroom and future second laundry. The space also features a second modern gas stove. The entire basement was finished with new Adura LVP wood plank flooring. The most unique feature in the space is the use of double custom barn doors from the new bedroom to the family room for transitional use of space.

Large elegant walk-out carpeted and beige floor basement game room photo in Minneapolis with beige walls and a corner fireplace

Specs-at-a-glance Indoor Sports Court 4 to 6 Bedrooms Bonus Room/5th Bedroom - 2nd Level Main Floor Sunroom 4 Full Baths - 2nd Level Excercise Room - Lower Level 6,000 Sq. Ft. Plans: http://bit.ly/73357hs #readywhenyouare #houseplan

This lovely Brookridge II plan, located at 16716 Haskins Street in the Chapel Hill neighborhood, features a larger lot, covered deck, full walkout lower level, lower level bar and vaulted beam ceiling. (Designer - Teri Stolz, Photographer - E.S. Photography)