One of the most common problems we encounter is the basement. Those ominous, dreary crypts that for too long have remained un-commandeered while the real estate above ground is compromised by the growing need for workable space.
Not every basement can be corrected quite as easily as today's subject. Sometimes the ceiling is simply too low, necessitating a major excavation, while gas and water pipes, wiring and musty odours are other common offenders.
The good news is these major issues are less common than you might think. Which means we get to flex our designer muscles and say our prayers... as we go down your stairs.
If you're poised on the brink of a big project, we recommend speaking to an experienced contractor to ensure that whatever is proposed satisfies local building codes. The last thing you need is your living room to come crashing into your basement just because you fancied moving a beam to create extra headroom.
When it comes to colours, it's academic. Where space is restricted, keep tones light and fresh. If you wish to employ bolder shots of drama, limit these to accessories and textiles. The odd accent wall is fine, but play your more reserved cards in shallow zones to create a flexible environment that can be changed on a whim.
As for lighting, opt for ceiling-mounted fittings or recessed pot lights. Use side lamps and wall washers to create mood. Avoid, at all costs, fittings that dangle into already compromised headroom.
Now you've established a clear building conscience, we hope you'll be inspired by today's project. Our clients, a busy mom and pop with two teenage kids, called us to see if we could tame the depths of hell that lay beneath an otherwise lovely family home. Here's how we liberated a shabby space.
Gut-down
The first ingredient of this particular brew was a simple rip-out to rid the space of every speck of evil. We were fortunate we didn't have to remove walls or dig down. In fact, the only major jobs were to lift the existing flooring and make all wall surfaces good. Preparation, as always, is crucial. If you rush this stage, your project won't endure.
Flooring
We selected a beautiful engineered board with generous yellow and white notes to help bounce light. Contrary to popular belief, engineered boards can be resurfaced years later, so if you find one at a good price, don't think there's a catch. We've used engineered boards in our own condo. In the three years they've been down, they've proved robust and serviceable. To add schematic colour, we lavished this basement floor with a large and very thick floral area rug. This provides a little sound-deadening to protect parental ears when the kids have company.
Walls
With fresh, airy design at the forefront of our thinking, we whitewashed the entire zone using satin latex. It's worth remembering satin paint is more light-reflective than regular matte and more resilient to knocks and scrapes. Its wipe-clean nature is a boon as far as maintenance is concerned.
Lighting
Recessed pots flood the scene with bright illumination, while side lamps add warmth and adjustability. Keen to add a few extra bells and smells, we installed neon-like lighting at corners. The resultant glow is fabulous. Professionally installed and easy to maintain, everything is concealed in shadow gap channels carved into the drywall. Touches like these truly individualize a space, and our clients were thrilled. At the flick of a switch, the light changes through a sequence of blue, turquoise and pink, proffering gender-specific mood at the touch of a button.
Furniture
We headed to Ikea for the retro-cool vignette. A sideboard, black in its original incarnation, came alive when recoloured zesty lime and crisp white. A reproduction antique mirror, also painted lime, provides a fun finishing touch.
-- Postmedia News
Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV's Colin & Justin's Home Heist airing on Tuesdays at 10 ET.
Resources to build the rave cave
Paint sundries: www.benjaminmoore.com
Building supplies: www.homedepot.ca
Flooring: Turlington lock and fold by www.goodfellowinc.com
LED strip lighting: www.sensolighting.com
Pot lights: www.lowes.ca
Tables and lamps: www.sunpanimports.com
Trolsta sideboard, Docksta table and Tobias acrylic chairs: www.ikea.ca
Ornate mirror: www.tanyas.ca
Accessories: www.elte.com
