Basement renovation scores with sports-loving family

Originally published June 19, 2012 at 7:00 PM | Page modified June 19, 2012 at 7:34 PM

Elana and David have three twenty-something kids with very different needs. Their eldest, Laurence, is in a wheelchair, and he needs space and special consideration when it comes to interior design. The other two children are off at college, but come home often to visit. The basement rec room should be a fun place for this sports-loving family to gather, but instead the room was as cold as the unused fireplace. A mishmash of furniture and a lack of purpose translated into an abandoned and lonely space.

I came up with a plan that scored with everyone sort of a "locker room luxe" design that had the home team cheering.

We ran into a couple of hiccups during the demolition specifically, the uneven cement floor and the water damage we found around the fireplace. Once we corrected those problems, though, it was full speed ahead.

My design called for the creation of two distinct zones.

The first is a TV zone, with a comfortable couch upholstered in a durable and spill-resistant indigo fabric. The couch anchors this space, and is placed directly opposite the big-screen television, which is flanked with custom adjustable shelving units. An oh-so-comfortable brown leather lounger with matching ottoman takes up residence between the TV and the new gas fireplace, still allowing plenty of room for Laurence to roll in and maneuver around.

A simple wooden-topped coffee table with sturdy legs and a sports-themed side table will accommodate lots of game-day snacks. Recessed lighting in the ceiling gives overall illumination, while two sconces flank the couch.

A beautiful nickel pendant lamp hangs over the other zone, a games-table-slash-conversation-nook with a couple of very comfy, creamy club chairs and a special adjustable table that raises enough to accommodate the arms of Laurence's wheelchair. The wall behind the games table was covered with a bold, graphic-patterned grasscloth wall covering that has just enough texture and dimension to catch the light cast down from the recessed ceiling fixtures.

The wall covering provides a tasteful touch that the gals love. And as for the accessories, they are all about the guys and their sports! Trophies, cups and hockey pucks all found their way into this space, but with a luxurious twist. The result is a room where the family will be as comfortable sharing a pizza during a game as it will be inviting friends in for a glass of wine and a chat.

Speaking of beverages, Laurence requested a drinks dispenser in the rec room, so we installed a bar fridge in a custom built-in counter, nicely tucked away, and used blackboard paint above it to create a surface that is perfect for scorekeeping. This was custom framed with salvaged hockey sticks, which were sanded down for a little rustic twist.

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Basement renovation scores with sports-loving family