This space started out as your typical vanilla box basement with no character. In fact, the long, narrow room with two awkward access points presented a challenge right from the start. The client asked for a place to enjoy watching old movies with large gatherings of friends, so I set out to create a haven for just that.
I covered the walls in Mahogany Yacare Crocodile by Ralph Lauren. This rich, textured backdrop set the stage for the rest of the room. To alleviate heaviness from the dark walls and lack of windows, I chose a zebra pattern chair and two-toned sofa. Along with the light cabinetry and striped wool carpet, these choices keep the walls from overpowering the space.
The rug is from Turabian and Sariyan, a local carpet vendor whom I absolutely adore! I chose this particular ottoman because it serves as both a foot rest and a convenient place to rest drinks or snacks. The combination of materials and textures in this room ties the entire space together with an intimate, cozy feel: suede, velvet, crocodile, and wool. The variations in patterns, from the zebra chair to the sofa pillows, add complexity and interest.
Finally, to suit the main purpose of the room, we installed a wet bar to either side of the main entrance to the basement. It contains necessities such as a fridge and microwave for the all-important popcorn. The brushed counter is from Walker Zanger and is a continuation of the chocolate feeling from the walls. As an added interesting touch, I used antique mirror for the wet bar back splash. Not only does it look fantastic, it works to reflect light in a dark space.
The final transformation of the basement proved everything my clients hoped for and was a project I completely enjoyed!