Signature Design Interiors enjoyed transforming this family’s traditional basement into a modern family space for watching sports and movies that could also double as the perfect setting for entertaining friends and guests. Multiple comfortable seating areas were needed and a complete update to all the finishes, from top to bottom, was required. A classy color palette of platinum, champagne, and smoky gray ties all of the spaces together, while geometric shapes and patterns add pops of interest. Every surface was touched, from the flooring to the walls and ceilings and all new furnishings were added. One of the most traditional architectural features in the existing space was the red brick fireplace, accent wall and arches. We painted those white and gave it a distressed finish. Berber carpeting was replaced with an engineered wood flooring with a weathered texture, which is easy to maintain and clean. In the television viewing area, a microfiber sectional is accented with a series of hexagonal tables that have been grouped together to form a multi-surface coffee table with depth, creating an unexpected focal point to the room. A rich leather accent chair and luxe area rug with a modern floral pattern ties in the overall color scheme. New geometric patterned window treatments provide the perfect frame for the wall mounted flat screen television. Oval table lamps in a brushed silver finish add not only light, but also tons of style. Just behind the sofa, there is a custom designed console table with built-in electrical and USB outlets that is paired with leather stools for additional seating when needed. Floor outlets were installed under the sectional in order to get power to the console table. How’s that for charging convenience? Behind the TV area and beside the bar is a small sitting area. It had an existing metal pendant light, which served as a source of design inspiration to build upon. Here, we added a table for games with leather chairs that compliment those at the console table. The family’s sports memorabilia is featured on the walls and the floor is punctuated with a fantastic area rug that brings in our color theme and a dramatic geometric pattern. We are so pleased with the results and wish our clients many years of cheering on their favorite sports teams, watching movies, and hosting great parties in their new modern basement!

An open plan living space was created by taking down partition walls running between the posts. An egress window brings plenty of daylight into the space. Photo -

This Milford French country home’s 2,500 sq. ft. basement transformation is just as extraordinary as it is warm and inviting. The M.J. Whelan design team, along with our clients, left no details out. This luxury basement is a beautiful blend of modern and rustic materials. A unique tray ceiling with a hardwood inset defines the space of the full bar. Brookhaven maple custom cabinets with a dark bistro finish and Cambria quartz countertops were used along with state of the art appliances. A brick backsplash and vintage pendant lights with new LED Edison bulbs add beautiful drama. The entertainment area features a custom built-in entertainment center designed specifically to our client’s wishes. It houses a large flat screen TV, lots of storage, display shelves and speakers hidden by speaker fabric. LED accent lighting was strategically installed to highlight this beautiful space. The entertaining area is open to the billiards room, featuring a another beautiful brick accent wall with a direct vent fireplace. The old ugly steel columns were beautifully disguised with raised panel moldings and were used to create and define the different spaces, even a hallway. The exercise room and game space are open to each other and features glass all around to keep it open to the rest of the lower level. Another brick accent wall was used in the game area with hardwood flooring while the exercise room has rubber flooring. The design also includes a rear foyer coming in from the back yard with cubbies and a custom barn door to separate that entry. A playroom and a dining area were also included in this fabulous luxurious family retreat. Stunning Provenza engineered hardwood in a weathered wire brushed combined with textured Fabrica carpet was used throughout most of the basement floor which is heated hydronically. Tile was used in the entry and the new bathroom. The details are endless! Our client’s selections of beautiful furnishings complete this luxurious finished basement. Photography by Jeff Garland Photography

Photo of a modern basement in Kansas City with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Large transitional look-out basement in Calgary with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

The homeowners had a very specific vision for their large daylight basement. To begin, Neil Kelly's team, led by Portland Design Consultant Fabian Genovesi, took down numerous walls to completely open up the space, including the ceilings, and removed carpet to expose the concrete flooring. The concrete flooring was repaired, resurfaced and sealed with cracks in tact for authenticity. Beams and ductwork were left exposed, yet refined, with additional piping to conceal electrical and gas lines. Century-old reclaimed brick was hand-picked by the homeowner for the east interior wall, encasing stained glass windows which were are also reclaimed and more than 100 years old. Aluminum bar-top seating areas in two spaces. A media center with custom cabinetry and pistons repurposed as cabinet pulls. And the star of the show, a full 4-seat wet bar with custom glass shelving, more custom cabinetry, and an integrated television-- one of 3 TVs in the space. The new one-of-a-kind basement has room for a professional 10-person poker table, pool table, 14' shuffleboard table, and plush seating.

Photo of a mid-sized country look-out basement in Grand Rapids with beige walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and white floor.

A traditional fireplace was updated with a custom-designed surround, custom-designed builtins, and elevated finishes paired with high-end lighting.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional look-out basement in Chicago with a game room, beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, beige floor, wood and decorative wall panelling.

This is an example of a large transitional fully buried basement in Chicago with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround, brown floor and brick walls.

Design ideas for a large contemporary walk-out basement in Atlanta with a home bar, black walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Inspiration for a small country fully buried basement in Atlanta with a home bar, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Cozy basement entertainment space with floor-to-ceiling linear fireplace and tailor-made bar
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional look-out basement in Toronto with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Large industrial fully buried basement in Toronto with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

This is an example of a small contemporary look-out basement in Toronto with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

This is an example of a large transitional look-out basement in Minneapolis with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and white floor.

Full basement remodel. Remove (2) load bearing walls to open up entire space. Create new wall to enclose laundry room. Create dry bar near entry. New floating hearth at fireplace and entertainment cabinet with mesh inserts. Create storage bench with soft close lids for toys an bins. Create mirror corner with ballet barre. Create reading nook with book storage above and finished storage underneath and peek-throughs. Finish off and create hallway to back bedroom through utility room.

Full basement finish, custom theater, cabinets, wine cellar
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional walk-out basement in Atlanta with grey walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional look-out basement in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional walk-out basement in Nashville with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.