House Tour – Basement Before & After

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Hello everyone!

After my paint color post last week, I vowed to show you more rooms in my house, even though they’re not all finished to my liking (yet).  But, given that we just bought this house four months ago, I need to stop being a control freak and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

So, I’ve shown you some of our basement when I blogged about the gallery wall and the board & batten down there.  And I alluded to some of my less favorite spaces when I shared my paint colors.  The rooms that are painted in “Cardboard” by Sherwin Williams.  Well, you asked for it – here they are.

But first, a smattering of prettiness (light fixture aside – it reminds me of a sea creature).  During my trip to Ikea last week, I got the final pieces for this little nook.
As a side note, I think Ikea is the Scandinavian mnemonic for “I Kan’t Escape Alone”.   It is impossible to leave that maze of wonder place empty handed!

Here is a pre-move-in picture of what this area looked like before…

And here it is now:

Cardboard wall color aside, the basement is a wonderfully functional space that we use on a daily basis.  There is some striking grass cloth wallpaper in a couple areas of the basement, which I love.  And then there is my good friend, Indiana Jones…

In case you’re wondering, it does light up.  It was left with the house, and will probably remain there for all eternity, since I have no idea how we would take it down.  But I don’t plan on taking it down – it’s just – FUN. 

Ok, on to one of the Cardboard Room spaces.  You asked for it.  Remember that.   Some of you may remember the chant that ran through my head in painting my Mom Cave a light shade of yellow… 
Poop and Pee.  Poop and Pee. 
The Mom Cave is through the doors, on the left.  And yes, I repainted it a non-yellow color.  It’s a pretty Muslin color now.
And yes, I believe that is Charles Barkley on TV (I swear, I didn’t put that on to distract you from the walls).  I kicked one of my boys out of the room during the NCAA games in order to take the picture.
And here is a view from the Mom Cave side…
In the distance in this photo, you can kind of see that there are windows in our basement, which was a huge plus for us.  We really wanted a space that was light and bright and not so basement-y.  More on that area another day.
 
A few notes on this room: 
  • It’s a totally funky layout, making furniture placement a challenge to say the least.
  • I just got a quote for a bunch of painting to be done in the house that came in very reasonable, so hopefully this room (among others) will be painted in the not-so-distant future.
  • I scored the red bench/ottoman a couple of weeks ago at a garage sale (Arhaus – $100).  I know, it doesn’t match.  Thinking about recovering it, but it is totally functional and what we need down there for the moment.
  • There is going to be a big game of Musical Chairs Furniture since I finally made a fabric decision for the jumbo-sized sectional we’re buying.  (I literally ordered the sectional Sunday and am oh-so-excited!)  More on that soon…
  • I know there is a lot of stuff that still needs to be added to this room.  Please refer back to the four aforementioned bullet points on this one.  It’s going to be a domino effect here.  Once the sectional arrives for our family room, changes will flow to the downstairs.

So there you have it!  My ugly Cardboard Room revealed!

Linking up to:
Not JUST a Housewife – Show Me What Ya Got
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – Tuesday Treasures
Chic on a Shoestring – Flaunt it Friday
Between Naps on the Porch – Metamorphosis Monday
Dittle Dattle – Amaze Me Monday

March 28, 2011 By
22
About

I’m Jenny, a wife of 28 years, mother of three, and a corporate drop-out. I’m a creative minded blogger, business owner and DIYer, and love transforming furniture, cabinets and rooms in my home. I’m a card carrying paint geek, and am always amazed at the power of paint in making budget-friendly updates to your home. I’m a serial house-stalker, and never tire of a great home tour or a before and after renovation. I’m a firm believer in restyling, refreshing and renewing things in your home to make it your own - without breaking the budget. I’ll show you how!

22 Comments

  • Reply
    Angeline
    March 28, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    You have a ga-gorgeous home…thanks for sharing your decorating progress – love it!

  • Reply
    Andrea
    March 28, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    A mom cave, you are so lucky! I love it down there. You're red bench is cool and I can't wait to see your sectional. You may have to invite me up to hang out in that room sometime!

  • Reply
    Lisa
    March 28, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    What a totally amazing basement you have! It's all so gorgeous. I wouldn't have takent he Indiana Jones poster down either..lol
    Beautiful colours..looks so warm and inviting.

  • Reply
    Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
    March 28, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    I've been visiting some of your past posts, Jenny, and your home is really beautiful! I know you just moved in not too long ago, but it looks like you are putting your own touch on it. It looks lovely and I envy you that basement!

  • Reply
    A Vintage Vine
    March 28, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Great tour!!! Love the additions from IKEA..oh, how I wished I had thought of that idea, big box furniture store, affordable, put together furniture yourself!!! But I am not Scandinavian….I love the bench…can't wait to see what you do with that…I too buy things and then live with them deciding what to do with them!!!

  • Reply
    Courtana
    March 28, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    Your basement looks enormous! It came out terrific, great job!

  • Reply
    Rene
    March 28, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Enjoyed the tour! That Indiana Jones art is such a great conversation piece. As you said it's just fun and this looks like the perfect place to have a good time..

  • Reply
    tale of many cities
    March 28, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    thanks for the tour. what a fun place to hang out!

  • Reply
    Karen
    March 28, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    That is a terrific basement, I think my whole house would fit in there LOL.

  • Reply
    Lisa
    March 29, 2011 at 3:00 am

    It's a gorgeous space! I think you'll have to start calling it the posh "Lower Level" instead of "basement"! And I *heart* Indiana Jones and my guy Harrison Ford too!

  • Reply
    Yvonne@StyleBurb
    March 29, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    It's gorgeous! I love the gallery wall and the grasscloth wallpaper. I am a fan of Indiana Jones, also (I named my dog after Harrison Ford). I have yellow walls in my basement that I can't wait to change….I love your wall color.

  • Reply
    Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm
    March 29, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    I would love to have a basement if it looked like yours. I think your wall color is beautiful. Found ya at Not just a house wife.

  • Reply
    Val
    March 30, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    Mom caves are the best and yours is amazing!

  • Reply
    Creative Escapes
    April 1, 2011 at 1:17 am

    This is amazing – can I come over and stay! Beautiful room!

  • Reply
    Julie
    April 1, 2011 at 2:21 am

    Very nice space!

  • Reply
    Katie
    April 1, 2011 at 2:59 am

    What an incredible space!! I bet all kinds of great parties will go on down there!

  • Reply
    Miranda
    April 1, 2011 at 4:28 am

    What a gorgeous room! I love the mom cave side. What a great retreat for the whole family ♥

  • Reply
    Phyllis
    April 4, 2011 at 1:30 am

    I am amazed at the size of your basement…..what a wonderful space for your family! The things you have done are just perfect in my opinion…..love the color of the walls, too!

  • Reply
    Lakeshore Cottage Living
    April 4, 2011 at 2:05 am

    It looks beautiful!! and I LOVE Indiana Jones…how fun is that?!

  • Reply
    Liz-
    April 4, 2011 at 3:23 am

    Beautiful room, man what space! I love the Indiana Jones picture! How cool is that! What a great room for entertaining!

  • Reply
    FABBY'S LIVING
    April 4, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Fantastic! Great remodeling job! I love the grand space for a young family like yours. Love the mom cave part specially. Everything is amazing, a terrific place to be everyday with the family.
    Have a nice week.
    FABBY

  • Reply
    emilysnan
    April 6, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    hiya , your basement turned out great , love the collection of pics on the stair wall ,tfs am visiting from amaze me monday and your newest follower , hope you pop by mine and follow me too
    xmaggiex

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