For My Husband's Cousin's Wife

A few weeks ago, I went to a family reunion in Idaho, on my husband's side of the family. The reunion was at my husband's cousin's beautiful home. I got to talking to his wife about their basement, which she was wanting to make some changes to. I have been working on it this week. Today's post is my advice for her. She has a large open basement. It is used in part for her Pilates. (she has her own reformer- how cool is that!) The basement is also used for TV watching, children playing, and sometimes the entire area is used for large gatherings.

In a large area like your basement, it works well to visually break it up. One way to do this is with an area rug. Under the seating area, put an area rug (get a nice large 9 x 12). This is also a good place to start with a color pallet. Find an area rug that you love. The one pictured above is from Momeni's Odyssey collection. This is a great place to start. From here you have colors and a style to use in furnishings, wall color, wall art, everything else.

Hang the TV on the wall in between the two windows. (OH- yeah- first get a flat screen TV if you don't have one already.) Under the TV- put a media cabinet like the one above, from West Elm.

Find, or have made, some nice, simple drapery panels. Pull them to the outside of the windows, farthest from the TV- so the wall will go like this: drapery, window, TV, window, drapery. Use the SAME drapery to create a room divider, where your room separates. Get a drapery rod that is ceiling mounted, in an L- shape, like the floor plan that I drew for you. Here you can have the drapery pulled, to create a more intimate, spa atmosphere in the Pilates section, but easily pull it open along the wall when you want to open up the room, and use it as one. Make sure the drapes are to the floor- otherwise this look will be more like a shared hospital room, :) rather than a luxurious spa, and soft living area. You can also partially open it and draw it back on a hook for a great look on an everyday basis. I hope that was clear; let me know if it wasn't. Select a fabric that looks good from both sides, or have double sided drapes made. The photograph is of Restoration Hardware's textured Belgian Linen drapes. Frequently a linen material looks good from both sides, and would work well in a situation like this.

At the end of the room, where the wall angles, mimicking the shape of the bay window on the floor above, have a built-in bench made, to follow the line of the wall. Have it be chair height, with lift up storage for children's toys, blankets, etc. When you use the room for large gatherings, a bench can serve as a good amount of seating. In front of the bench, put two 36 inch tables, side by side, like the drawing. Use two tables instead of one big one for a few reasons:

1. It is a different, unexpected, a cool look.


2. One table can be pulled out and all four chairs put around it for a great card game.


3. When you need to clear the area of the tables for large gatherings, it will be less cumbersome, and easier to move.

This table (above) pictured is from West Elm. It also comes in chocolate.

At your two tables use this Legato Tub chair from Padma's Plantation. Isn't it great? When you walk down the stairs, and look across the room- this is what you are going to see- the back of these chairs. and your large piece of art- what a great view. (I would have them upholstered in a more practical fabric color.)

The far wall, above the built-in bench and two tables, will need a nice large piece or collection of art. This piece below is from Uttermost, (Landscape with Trees) and is a large 80 x 42. Something this size would be great.
Select a great sectional- the largest one you can comfortably fit. You want it to seat a lot of people, as well as fill the space. Check out the Bixby by Nathan Anthony. (I can send you fabrics if you want). Nathan Anthony is a great source for sectionals. They have a lot to choose from- and very cool styles. (as well as great prices)

For a "coffee table"- use two Congo drum end tables, from Padma's Plantation. Approx- 24 x 24 x 28 each. This will add texture and be a great height for your large sectional.

You have a long wall to your right, as you enter your large room. Long walls are just asking to be "broken up". One way to do this is by putting a console table on part of the wall. I am suggesting the portion of the wall in the "Pilates" area. (The one above is the Tanner Console table form Pottery Barn.) I liked how it had stools under it, giving you extra seating for your large groups. You then hang something (perhaps a mirror- the one below is Bahari- by Uttermost 39 x 43) above the console, and then treat the other part of the wall separately, perhaps with a grouping of family photos, like I talked about in this post. Notice that I have a single item above the console, and a grouping on the wall beside it. This can be reversed, with one large picture on the wall, (make sure it is large enough) and a grouping over the console- but don't have two groupings on the same wall.

In your Pilates area- you have a set of bookcase wall-units that you said were keepers, as they were built by a family member. Perhaps, however, you could have them painted, and update the hardware. (Wood guys cringe at this- is the family member still alive?) This would give the unit a more updated clean look, consistent of our "spa-Pilates" atmosphere that we have created. Decorate the wall unit with candles, pottery, well-chosen clean books, plants, and sculpture. Give it a very deliberate, beautiful spa type look. This is the type of thing I feel like I need to do for my clients. Maybe I need to come back to Idaho for a visit :) Also- add a comfortable chair and floor lamp, giving a more intimate area for reading or studying. Add some plants: a large one in the Pilates section, and two matching ones on the two tables in the other are. Add a floor lamp next to the sectional, and two sconces above the console table. Add directional eyeball lights: two above the wall unit, one above the art by the two tables, and one above the collection of photos. For the best look, replace your florescents with can lighting (on a dimmer- for best TV watching) Put an up-light by your large plant, have it on a timer, so it comes on and goes off every evening. Your lighting MAKES your atmosphere! Don't just have overhead lighting. Feel free to ask any questions, or call me. (since you're family and all :)