basement

BASEMENT level of finish and storage

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this happens to be in a kitchen, but doesn't have to be. I love the tile and marble mixed with the blue/turquoise

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Free-standing tub: Installing a professional-style dog wash can be a lower-cost alternative to a built-in station. A plumber is still required to hook it up, but it won’t involve the tile work and framing needed for a built-in style. The model from ProGroom in this Louisville, Kentucky, laundry room includes space beneath the tub for dog bowls and a ramp that rolls out for entering and exiting the tub. The back of the tub includes a clip for tethering the bathing victim and a shelf and bracket for supplies. The most popular tubs for homeowners are those with ramps and those measuring 48 inches to 60 inches wide

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The new laundry room was one of the trickiest projects the couple took on, and it was a real collaboration. While it has a casual look, it was planned out elaborately and installed meticulously. McLeod figured out the exact color pattern for the boards, drew it out and then painted them to look salvaged. “I used all the dregs — the leftover paints and stains from all the other projects we’d done,” he says. Johnson installed them very carefully, following the pattern. Note the way the colors continue around the corners of the room.

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Keep lighting low. A table lamp is always a cozy touch for a kitchen countertop, but there isn’t always space. Check out this cool alternative: a low-slung bare filament bulb over the breakfast nook.

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Wall paint: Sea Salt SW6204, Sherwin-Williams; ARRANGEMENT OF TUB/CUBBIES/SHOWER/STYLE IN GENERAL/COLOR COMBINATIONS

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CEILING AND WALL COLORS AND DESIGN;FLOOR TILE; WALL TILE SECTION CONCEPT(NOT THESE TILES); BUILTINS; COULD i MAKE FAKE ILLUSION WINDOWS FOR NORTH TO SEEM MORE OPEN?

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pieces her client had picked up at Ballard’s Backroom (the Ballard Designs outlet), then had butcher block from Ikea customized for the desktop. She created a cozy spot for reading and power naps by adding a platform underneath a twin mattress, a board-and-batten-like surround made from painted medium-density fiberboard and a series of built-in cubbies. The homeowner accessorized with HomeGoods finds. GOOD MULTI USE SPACE DESIGN; INEXPENSIVE DECOR; CASUAL

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An odd-shaped lot drove the design of this new house in Melbourne. The master bedroom, en suite and walk-in dressing room are located in the basement, along with a triple garage, laundry, elevator and lounge area. Going underground gave the master suite the privacy it needed to feel like a sanctuary.

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The wood-look flooring in the main portion of the bathroom is actually a ceramic tile from Home Depot

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they weave the steam shower into the traditional Finnish sauna ritual by using it to warm up before stepping into the sauna and then finishing with a cool shower.

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. Simple box fireplaces add the warmth and glow of flames to a basement without requiring a chimney. Creating an accent wall around one is a fresh take on a fireplace surround.

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Extensive cabinetry hides sports equipment, holiday decorations, out-of-season clothing and more here.

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hidden fuse box with finished cabinet and door

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For those not blessed with any sort of walk-out on the lower level, creative tricks made underground rooms appealing. Here, a large backlit mural of the outdoors serves as a picture window.

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at home spa space in basement

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FOR BASEMENTS EAST AND WEST AT NORTH- TRIM AND STORAGE AT STAIRS W INEXPENSIVE OPEN SAFETY WIRE AND EYE HOOKS

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BUILT IN STORAGE N DESK SPACE- BAR IS FLY TOO

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excavated the basement another 2½ feet, ending up with 9-foot ceilings and an inviting lair. BUILT IN BEAD AND CRAFT STORAGE IDEA

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opened up the staircase, making it much more pleasurable to go downstairs. Bright cheery colors that are also soft...great lighting

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cheerful space, even if basement. a crafts table is a great addition to the homework zone for those larger projects, such as science fair boards.

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fun, versatile, space...work/lounge.pool house?

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inexpensive basement home office, light, bright, easily modifiable

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From Dark Basement to Bright Master Suite Once you see the “before” image of this dark, dank, concrete-filled basement, you won’t believe this master bedroom is in the same space. Cool feature: A wall fitted with glass panels divides the bedroom and bathroom while allowing light to pass through.

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suite

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The steps in the courtyard, for instance, are carefully designed to be at seating height. “The courtyard is furniture — it’s like an amphitheater. We’ve had 20 people sitting out there. It becomes a great social hub for the house and is a big part of the integrated indoor-outdoor sense we wanted to create,”

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