Home Tour - The Guests Won't Ever Leave

INTRODUCTION

I think it’s about time for a new home tour over here. This project was such a fun one to work on and our team could not be more thrilled with how it turned out! These clients reached out to us after buying their first lakehouse in Union Pier, MI. They have a stunning house, and the entire (massive) basement had been left unfinished. We were tasked to finish out the basement with a full guest suite, family room, play area and home gym.

The moodboard for this project captures a coastal, serene vibe. We pulled in earthy colors, soft, light neutrals, and subtle patterns to add a playful, relaxed vibe while keeping the space light and bright.

BEFORE

When we went for the first walkthrough, it didn’t take long. The space was a concrete slab floor, masonry walls, and some exposed plumbing and furnaces. There was one lone window along the back wall, and the ceilings were nonexistent, we just saw the joists and floor above us. Blank slate. Our favorite two words.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

The first thing we needed to do, was determine a layout for the basement. There were a few controls, like the plumbing locations for the bathroom, the window for the bedroom, and the exposed water heater and furnace. Other than that, we worked with the geometry of the floorplan to zone out a large family room that’s open to a play area for the kids, a guest suite with both a queen bed and a bunk area for kids, a bathroom, kitchenette, and a small home gym. We also decided to add a window to the other side of the basement, to allow some natural light in to the family room area and brighten it up.

We actually proposed two options for the guest suite. This first one (which the clients chose) had a main bedroom by the window and had a secondary room off of it where we proposed custom built-in bunkbeds and a closet. This option was perfect for a family with kids that each want their own space but both have access to the window.

The second option was more suited for spillover guests and had four bunk beds open up to the main guest room. It was a fun option, but the first proved to be more practical for them.

In the kitchenette area, the clients wanted a banquette space for morning coffees and family games. They also wanted a small kitchen area with a microwave, wine and beverage fridge, plus a sink and dishwasher. It’s meant to be a space where coffee and cocktails can be enjoyed but the main kitchen is just upstairs.

Off of the kitchenette area, we built out a family room with an open play area for kids off of it. In the play area, we proposed an arts and crafts table, a playground (complete with a ballpit), a swing and plenty of storage. Beside that, we tucked in a little home gym with a barre for our clients to practice yoga and exercise during their stay in Michigan.

THE REVEAL

We could not be more excited about how this space came together. It truly doesn’t even feel like a basement…it’s warm, inviting, and the perfect place to curl up with a game, a movie, or just catch up with visiting guests over a cup of coffee.

Throughout the basement, we incorporated shiplap accent walls painted charcoal gray to give a nod to the modern farmhouse vibe of the house while also adding a unique, dramatic twist. Warm wood tones and bright white touches make the space warm and inviting for guests. LVT floors provide a warm, hardwood look, without risking any damage from water leaks since it’s a vacation home.

Custom bunkbeds provide cozy nooks for kids to curl up in, complete with reading lights and a staircase in lieu of a ladder (and if anyone else has had to make up a top bunk, you can appreciate why we went with this option).

The bathroom pulls in some cool, earthy neutral colors and some warmer pops with the wood vanity and brass mirrors. Our instruction here was to “not make it nicer than the bathrooms upstairs”, so we kept it simple with no vanity lights, and opted for a shower curtain instead of glass…but in my opinion, it’s still a pretty awesome bathroom!

This bathroom is primarily intended for guests, so instead of a traditional linen closet, we opted for open shelving where baskets and folded towels can be placed for easy access. A hamper underneath pulls in warmth and texture to contrast the cooler tones in here.

At the kitchenette, we incorporated the same wall tile from the bathroom to keep things cohesive, but installed it in a herringbone pattern to elevate it a bit. Storage, trash and appliances are strategically incorporated and concealed along the bottom cabinets to keep a clean, streamlined aesthetic, and open shelving above the counter provides space for styling and easy access to glasses and dishes for guests.

An L-shaped banquette with wall sconces and a round table provides space for friends and family to enjoy games and conversation while still feeling open and connected to the kids and family area.

The same charcoal shiplap wall is carried across the back wall of the kitchenette area to add some contrast and keep things cohesive with the other areas.

In the family room area, we added a window to the side, allowing natural light to spill in and mitigate any basement/cave-like feelings. Along the media wall, we carried in the charcoal shiplap and anchored it with built-in storage that coordinates with the kitchenette, along with floating shelves to provide space for accessories and styling.

The L-shaped sectional provides a deep, inviting space for friends and family to curl up in during a movie. Instead of a coffee table, we opted for a soft, tufted ottoman and created a custom waterfall table to match the built-ins. The table can be slid to either side of the ottoman as needed, and gives users a space to put down a cup of coffee or light a candle while still comfortably putting their feet up.

Behind the family room area, the kids get their own space to enjoy! A playground anchors the space, along with an arts and crafts table. Behind the kids area, a barn door separates a small home gym which was celebrated with a fun wallpaper to add some unexpected drama. Lastly, any unusual soffits leftover from HVAC or plumbing were wrapped in wood and carried down the sides of the walls to create wooden archways between the main areas and add a touch of warmth to the space.

This was such a unique and fun project to work on. We are so thrilled that our clients now have the perfect space for their little family to escape to during the pandemic and get a break from the hustle of the city, and hopefully someday soon, entertain friends and family again from their extended guest suite!

I promise not to make you all wait six months again for the next home tour! We have some exciting projects wrapping up over the next few weeks and months, so be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already so you don’t miss any!

-dgw

Photos: Dustin Halleck