Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Our Bee-u-tiful Basement!

As promised, here is the Virtual Grand Reveal of our finished basement! There are a few things that need to be done yet (some wiring of the outlets, for instance) but we are able to play downstairs now! I AM SO HAPPY!! My husband and Dad-in-law have given me such a gift by adding living space!

Before the carpeting was laid, I asked Mark to sign the floor for future homeowners to find some day when we are gone...
Here is the trip down the stairs...
The view of the rec. room from the bottom of the stairs...
There is a little niche that was perfect for a dressup area (the mirrors will be mounted on the right-hand wall very soon)...
I saw this idea somewhere for putting up a clothesline to hang artwork, and I loved it. So the wall at the bottom of the stairs holds my kiddo's artwork (and all at their level so they can see it, too)...
This is the "reading nook." We'll also do puzzles, arts and crafts, and other stuff in this corner. Eventually, I think the kids would really like bean bags in this area too...
I bought 3 big bookcases at a garage sale this summer for $1 each. They were really junky. But after a few coats of paint, and a lot of structural reinforcement by Mark, they turned out well! We attached two of them together to hold all of our storage bins of stuff. It's hard to tell, but each shelf is a different color (light green, dark blue, dark green, light blue)...
I am so happy to have a "conversation area" now. Across from this chair and couch are a pair of chairs. The couch pulls out to a bed, also, for any overnight guests we may have. I haven't figured out what I'm going to do with the support pole behind Sawyer yet, but I'm thinking I might cover it with fabric...
This is the office, which can be easily converted to a bathroom in the future (see the plumbing hookup on the floor?) Mark is anxious to get our two computer desks and 4 computers set up down there!
This is the view of the office from the main room. I just really like the artistic look of the striped pattern through the circle pattern of the outer room.
There are three other rooms in the basement. There is a store room (which is jam-packed with stuff and needs to be sorted out soon), and two closets (one holds the sump pump and the other has the circuit breaker and will hold all of my scrapbooking supplies). The basement is gorgeous! Come by and see it in person, if you can!!!!

10 comments:

Gwen said...

Oh I'm so jealous!!!!!!!!!! It is absolutely gorgeous! Let me be the first to say Congratulations!

Trish said...

Its wonderful!! We'll be over in August to see it! :) You'll have to help us with all your great interior decorating ideas when we one day have a house. Thats something you could do with all your spare time (when you get your house cleaner :) ) become an interior designer! And you can work from home! I'm sure that Abby and Ethan won't get in the way at all and will leave you in peace to work. hahaha

Mark said...

One thing that is not clear from this post, but should be cleared up: All the awesome design (from idea to paint) are all Trista's doing... Isn't she creative?

I just wanted to set the record straight.

Jennifer said...

I absolutely love it! Is it too late for me to be your kid so I can live there? The colors are wonderful. I love the way the border comes to an end in a half circle. I've never seen that before. I can't wait to come in January and play dress up with Abby! I can't wait for Emma to see that. She will absolutely die with jealousy. Maybe we can dig a second basement and steal all of your ideas. :)

Trish said...

I know I have already posted a commment (which Mike is now telling me), but everytime I look at the pictures I get jealous! I love the basement and agree with Jennifer -- I want to play in the basement too!

Anonymous said...

WOW, What a wonderful area and I love the colors! Did you have the table and chairs for the kids area first or did you find them to go with the wallpaper choice? I too really want to come and see and play. Love ya, Aunt Sue

Anonymous said...

I agree with all of the above, what a wonderful job you all did!! and it will make rainy, cold days feel so much better to just go downstairs and pretend away...what a great place for all of you.'love Aunt Mary

Trista said...

Thanks for the comments!!

Aunt Sue: I knew I was going to do blue and green (2 shades of each) and a brown. When I found the table and chairs, I chose them in blue and green. I then used the colors to match the paint on the walls (it's not wallpaper - I actually used cork trivets to paint each one of those circles on the wall).

And any of you are welcome to come play in the basement (if the kids are here or not!) ;) We would love to show it off!

Anonymous said...

Okay, Now I am more impressed than I was when I first looked at the pictures! I forgot to ask you when you were out if Abby would like a cradle for her babies? Just let me know if you are interested.
Cork trivets, huh...I have them in 3 different sizes, now I just have to check out the walls and see which one might be calling my name. Aunt Sue

Anonymous said...

I've been there - Seen it - and it's a GREAT in person as it's photographed!!! What a talented Mom and Dad Abby and Ethan have!!!
We had a great time at the REVEAL!!!