When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Giovanni Photography
Inspiration for a transitional home bar remodel in Miami

Bar and game area for great entertaining. Staging brought in the rustic elements with vintage decor. Shar Sitter
Mid-sized transitional galley carpeted and brown floor seated home bar photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets and quartz countertops

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless single-wall ceramic tile seated home bar remodel in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Larry Otte
Example of a small trendy single-wall porcelain tile seated home bar design in St Louis with an undermount sink, black cabinets, granite countertops and raised-panel cabinets

The basement bar uses space that would otherwise be empty square footage. A custom bar aligns with the stair treads and is the same wood and finish as the floors upstairs. John Wilbanks Photography

Small mountain style single-wall seated home bar photo in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets and quartz countertops

Home bar - large transitional carpeted and brown floor home bar idea in Chicago

Example of a trendy l-shaped beige floor seated home bar design in Columbus with shaker cabinets and white cabinets

Wet bar - small transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops and white countertops

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar design in Boston with an undermount sink, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash and white countertops

Example of a large transitional home bar design in Minneapolis

This space is made for entertaining.The full bar includes a microwave, sink and full full size refrigerator along with ample cabinets so you have everything you need on hand without running to the kitchen. Upholstered swivel barstools provide extra seating and an easy view of the bartender or screen. Even though it's on the lower level, lots of windows provide plenty of natural light so the space feels anything but dungeony. Wall color, tile and materials carry over the general color scheme from the upper level for a cohesive look, while darker cabinetry and reclaimed wood accents help set the space apart. Jake Boyd Photography

Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall dark wood floor wet bar remodel in Atlanta with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash and ceramic backsplash

HOBI Award 2013 - Winner - Best Out of State Custom Home HOBI Award 2013 - Winner - Best Outdoor Living Environment athome A-List Award 2013 - Finalist - Residential Architecture < 7,000 sq. ft. NY Cottages and Gardens Innovation in Design Award - Finalist - Architecture Charles Hilton Architects Photography: Woodruff Brown

Custom Basement Renovation | Hickory | Custom Bar
Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic u-shaped light wood floor seated home bar remodel in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, solid surface countertops, multicolored backsplash and stone slab backsplash

Modern kitchenette in the basement
Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped ceramic tile and multicolored floor seated home bar remodel in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, black cabinets and black backsplash

Marcel Page marcelpagephotography.com
Inspiration for a transitional single-wall light wood floor wet bar remodel in Chicago with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink and red backsplash