https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:36:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole/page/2#post-2061431 Mon, 16 Sep 2019 20:27:24 +0000 nemosmom 2061431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh TG, hubs has no trouble getting started- he just doesn’t know when to stop!</p> <p>Janet - what a stunning and inspirational view and perfect place for coffee I hope you will post any updates on your own rabbit hole! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole/page/2#post-2061049 Sun, 15 Sep 2019 14:01:54 +0000 Janet 2061049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nemosmom, yes! Undertone is really important. The color in this photo is not terribly accurate (facing into the sun), but you get the idea — we kept the khaki wall color because it provided a suitable backdrop for the orange sofa and warm accents. (This is literally my view as I write this — I sit in the spot with my coffee in the morning.)</p> <p>I have a crazy idea to turn our basement den into an extended work space/gallery for my art, if I move out of my current studio. I’m thinking of tiling the floor and resurfacing the fireplace to create a more sleek, modern look. But I know that will open cans of worms, as there are other considerations (built in shelving that would need to be redone to suit a more modern style, wonky sliding patio door to replace, etc.). And we want to redo our kitchen in the next few years, and our en suite bath needs to be the next priority! A rabbit hole indeed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole/page/2#post-2061036 Sun, 15 Sep 2019 13:24:52 +0000 Helena 2061036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>haha, at least DH gives it a go; mine would let the house fall down around him before he'd pick up a tool unprompted *rolls eyes* lol!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole/page/2#post-2060893 Sun, 15 Sep 2019 01:15:15 +0000 nemosmom 2060893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div><div>Thanks, <b>Runcarla</b>! DH was shocked that the wood was in good condition, and a quick sand and clear sealant should get us several more years out of it. It was gross!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Janet</b><br /> - we inherited the wall colors and carpet (along with awful window treatments and built-ins in the master). But, our reasons for keeping it is the same as yours - our artwork (by Shag and similar) is really bright and colorful, and most of our furniture leans mid-century modern. The basement re-paint was only started because the kids had beaten up the walls pretty badly and, since it was the basement, color wasn't SUPER important. Then, the built-in bookcases came out which exposed the gap in the carpet, and things just snowballed from there I was a bit miffed that I couldn't *just* paint the basement and be done with it all. Now there's flooring to replace, but it flows into a basement bathroom (currently tiled), so DH wanted to replace the vanity.... and all of that will affect paint color choice.&nbsp; <br /></div><div></p> <p>Maria's site talks about <b>undertone </b>and what she says makes SO much sense. The undertone of the current beige paint often looks green against our more orange-y cabinets and turns a dirty putrid gold against our grey couch and creamy ivory colored bathroom tile.&nbsp; I <i>do</i> have issue that only one paint color was used throughout each floor. The color doesn’t go with <i>any</i> of the fixtures or flooring, and it looks horrible in our rooms where we get little natural light. But, to have the designer suggest we consider changing all the fixtures and carpet instead of simply changing the paint made me mad. Maybe paint won't fix it all, but it certainly couldn't make it worse.</p> <p></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm happy to keep you updated on the renovations and updates as we go. I gotta keep hubs out of Home Depot for a while ;)<br /></div></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole/page/2#post-2060846 Sat, 14 Sep 2019 19:36:52 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2060846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second Janet’s request for updates on updating your home. Funny overly-ambitious husband stories too please </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole/page/2#post-2060785 Sat, 14 Sep 2019 15:00:25 +0000 Janet 2060785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG, our home styles look very similar. But I have to confess, our walls are a similar color (a bit more khaki, a touch less warm, perhaps?), and we've stuck with it because it allows flexibility in furnishings, and we have lots of colorful art (and an orange sofa!). But I hear you. Our basement is largely unused these days, and it's a repository of furniture that's a bit dated that came with us from our old house, plus a random piece or two from my mom's, and some pieces we bought when moved in 13 years ago that no longer suit our style. Oh, and the carpet is stained and stinky after 13 years of aging dogs. But it's low down on the priority list.&nbsp;</p> <p>But I'm in admiration of what you're tackling! Post updates, please! I find it very inspiring.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2060747 Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:14:21 +0000 Carla 2060747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>THAT is impressive, NM! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2060650 Sat, 14 Sep 2019 01:25:06 +0000 nemosmom 2060650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>DH just painted the <u>garage</u> white (and the bottom half of it dark grey). It was the <u>basement</u> re-painting project that started the shenanigans!</div><div><br /> </div><div>Another funny - last week he was grumbling about the terrible shape of our deck, and saying if the weather was nice he would tear it out this weekend. Well, I rented a power washer and cleaned it all up Wednesday and yesterday and now it looks nearly new (before and after pics below; the after shows it still a bit damp). I was afraid he would end up resurfacing the entire exterior stucco or knocking out the fireplace or goodness knows what!!! So I tackled it before it got out of hand. :D<br /> </div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2060629 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 23:51:20 +0000 Jenni NZ 2060629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was a good read NM! I enjoyed FI’s link of the mountain house mantel as well- what a fuss! Hasn’t DH already decided the paint colour though?- or is he just undercoating? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2060466 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 14:41:03 +0000 nemosmom 2060466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks again, everyone! I checked out Maria's site - wow! What a wealth of info!&nbsp; I could see how hiring her for an online consult simply for paint color would be money well spent!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2060243 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:22:37 +0000 KikiG 2060243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another vote for Maria Killam.&nbsp; I've been reading her blog for years, and every choice I've ever made with her in my head, was 100% correct.&nbsp; She is to color and home stuff what Angie is to fashion.&nbsp; You just save so much valuable time if you decide that Angie and Marie are right and follow them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2060060 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 01:53:36 +0000 Sheila 2060060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally second the idea of having Maria Killam do an eDesign for your project. She is an outstanding problem-solver and the absolute Queen of Color Undertones. She will be spot-on with the color choices, nobody better in the business. I hope you will take a good look at her services. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2058772 Sat, 07 Sep 2019 14:36:04 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2058772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nemo, thanks for the update after the long weekend. Maybe it was a dose of reality for him to diy that?</p> <p>TG, when my parents put in a pool, they also put a shower stall in the downstairs bathroom. Smart, although just how smart didn’t show up until years later, when overnight guests/husbands/grandkids really use it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2058767 Sat, 07 Sep 2019 14:10:20 +0000 Helena 2058767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a timely post, as we are looking at redecorating our basement ... which is a result of us installing a pool and the access is through the basement walkout *sigh* ... talk about scope creep!</p> <p>I agree with the consensus that this decorator does not sound very helpful! She should be helping you with your stated objective (freshen the floor and walls of the basement), not piling on a bunch of projects that you weren't interested in!</p> <p>I also agree definitely start with the flooring and then do paint ... paints the easiest bit and there are so many colours you can definitely find one to go with your flooring choice. I think you don't need it to match to upstairs per se, but you definitely want flow if the two spaces are visible to each other ... so a stark shift in colour or tone will be a bit jarring.</p> <p>As to flooring material, I think your babies are younger than mine - to date, we've gone with a rather industrial-strength berber in the basement. This kept the floor warm (our basement being a walk-out is cold in the winter) and more absorbant of kids running around, tumbling, etc. and have barely worn and it must be close to 10 years old now. </p> <p>We are going to change to a laminate when we re-decorate, since it is equally durable (and better for wet pool feet). There are some super-nice laminate options out there so that's another option to consider if you like to look of hard-wood but don't want to worry about Hot Wheels car scratches, etc. </p> <p>Your blonde hardwood and the clean simple finish of the railing post etc. makes me think Scandinavian ... you could look up Scandi design for inspiration if that style floats your boat! Light and bright for a basement, which is also nice in the depths of winter!</p> <p>Keep us posted; I love this stuff! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2057452 Mon, 02 Sep 2019 13:49:55 +0000 nemosmom 2057452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to have abandoned this thread. Saturday started out with a quick project of purging old toys and tools in the garage. I took the kids to drop off a load of stuff at Goodwill and run errands, and we came home to find the rest of the stuff out on the driveway. Hubs was on a ladder, re-painting the entire garage. </p> <p>He is still painting. It is Monday. </p> <p>Thank you all for weighing in on flooring and when to pick paint. I really appreciate it!</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2057081 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 22:34:19 +0000 cindysmith 2057081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I remember when my parents finished the basement of our house. They added 2 bedrooms and a full bath plus a monster playroom for us three kids, and built a closet under the stairs for toy storage. They put carpet throughout, except the bathroom and I can't remember what they had on the floor in there except really furry bathmats (it was the late 70s, so all the bathrooms had really furry bathmats LOL) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056979 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 05:11:37 +0000 Suz 2056979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, definitely floor first. Because just as light (natural) and room lighting can make a differene, so can the tones reflected off the floor itself.&nbsp;</p> <p>Good luck with this! It's okay to go step by step even if you do decide to follow much of her advice in the end.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056978 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 05:10:30 +0000 Barbara Diane 2056978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, pick the carpet first, put paint before the carpet is put in, if possible. Don't ask me how I know. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056840 Fri, 30 Aug 2019 15:13:11 +0000 nemosmom 2056840@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Thanks, everyone! The FLOR squares are a great idea; we use them as our entry rug!&nbsp; I haven't had a chance to look at the blog posts, but will try to this weekend.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We painted our San Fran house before we moved and that was a fiasco, too. The wrong undertones and room lighting can make SUCH a difference.<br /></div><br />Thank you for the advice to start with floor and THEN pick paint - that helps a TON. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056825 Fri, 30 Aug 2019 14:02:14 +0000 JAileen 2056825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The decorator is like a carpenter with a hammer. The carpenter thinks everything needs to be pounded. The decorator thinks everything needs to be changed. Rein her in, fast!</p> <p>I like the idea of carpet squares. We had them where I worked. If one got stained, you could trade it with one under a piece of furniture. At home, you could replace it. A friend has Flor, and she has had a lot of fun arranging the squares. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056809 Fri, 30 Aug 2019 13:03:18 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2056809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou, that EH fireplace story is a bit of a disaster in my eyes. She kept coming back to it, thinking she'd gotten it right and then starting all over. I don't know if she does that often, but she did the same thing in the kids' bedroom in this house, and I think on the high ceiling too. Just seemed bonkers to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056791 Fri, 30 Aug 2019 12:28:35 +0000 RobinF 2056791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is quite an expansion from basement floor and paint to remodeling a kitchen! She needs to go and fast.</p> <p>I would do a neutral carpet, and pick the paint based on that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056731 Fri, 30 Aug 2019 02:12:14 +0000 NancyW 2056731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Isn't this the way it goes? You want to change one thing and suddenly everything is up for discussion! Runcarla is so right: Don't let the decorator boss you around. You are paying the bills and you are living with the choices. I have been reading Maria Killam's blog for years and suggest you take a look. She maintains that there are no true neutrals (we bought a house with green gray tile and blue gray countertops&nbsp; - from this experience I saw her wisdom! )She will also say to choose the paint last as it is inexpensive and you don't want to choose your carpet around it. She does offer e-consults but has plenty of free content for you to read, some of which may help you to talk your husband away from a bank loan and six months of construction! Good luck<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.mariakillam.com/">https://www.mariakillam.com/</a><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056714 Fri, 30 Aug 2019 00:14:34 +0000 Carla 2056714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My inclination would be to have the stairs done in wood to match your upstairs flooring and use the carpet from the stairs to patch the spot revealed by the removal of the shelves. Consult your flooring guys. Good ones can do this for you. </p> <p>We just redid our rec room. We have worked with a decorator, and he was excellent. He melded the different aesthetics of me and my DH and worked with our budget. We started as a fee for service consultatIon, which was later waived because we did order custom made furniture through him and his shop. We set our budgets (first job 2014 involved paint colour for main floor common rooms and furniture for family room. Second job 2016 was furniture for music room (my room), and third job 2019 was rec room remodel which involved a contractor as well.)</p> <p>Don't let the decorator boss you around!</p> <p>FWIW - this is our retirement house so DH and I are a little bit YOLO about our choices. We went for upgraded underpad and wool carpet. I love it, but care is special and it has cons as well as pros. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056686 Thu, 29 Aug 2019 22:12:35 +0000 rachylou 2056686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Emily Henderson was exactly who I thought of too. I like that second Apartment Therapy link esp for what I imagine from just looking at the stairs, lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056679 Thu, 29 Aug 2019 21:23:56 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2056679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Further down the rabbit hole with inspiration from a favorite of mine.<br /> <a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-montessoriinspired-play-room-for-brothers-my-play-room-199628" rel="nofollow">https://www.apartmenttherapy.c.....oom-199628</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/kids-playroom-designed-by-teacher-249462" rel="nofollow">https://www.apartmenttherapy.c.....her-249462</a></p> <p>Neither of those have spectacular flooring or wall treatments—it’s the playthings &amp; way they’re set up that matter. </p> <p>Here’s another. <a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-after-basement-family-room-professional-project-by-frances-herrera-169782" rel="nofollow">https://www.apartmenttherapy.c.....era-169782</a></p> <p>Hubby can go hog wild organizing and setting up kids’ stuff without redoing the whole house. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056675 Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:58:26 +0000 rachylou 2056675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The tiles are a good idea. There’s something called Thermal Dry carpet tiles too... for damp that ruins carpet and certain types of flooring... Mold and warping... I’d maybe do the tiles and throw a big rug over for looks/added warmth. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056669 Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:26:37 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2056669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So now your husband wants to redecorate practically the whole house &amp; you’re putting your foot down? Love that switch in traditional gender roles! </p> <p>FWIW, I don’t think the basement flooring and stairs need to be the same, especially if you do a runner on the stairs. Can you get the same kind as on the other stairs, or one that coordinates well? (Do not show that question to your husband—he’ll want to replace the other one, lol). Do you expect to use this room for anything other than a playroom? You might want to think about something like Flor tiles so you can easily replace one without doing the whole thing. There are so many removable wallpapers these days—that’s where I’d start. Even if you leave it until the kids are teens (how old are they now?) you’ll probably change it eventually. Might as well make it easy when the time comes. If that one wall is the reason you wanted to repaint the whole basement, but the walls aren’t funky or actively hurting the kids, you could always just make it an accent wall and leave the rest. So: Flor tiles, removable wallpaper on that one wall, stair runner, done. </p> <p>What’s wrong with the kitchen? If it’s purely aesthetic, then don’t waste your old cabinets; get new doors, or have the old ones painted/refinished.</p> <p>Before you launch into redoing the mantle, I suggest you (have your husband) take a look at the saga of Emily Henderson’s mantle, which gave her several blog posts, including this one <a href="https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/stone-fireplace-makeover-mountain-house" rel="nofollow">https://stylebyemilyhenderson......tain-house</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056666 Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:16:14 +0000 greycat6 2056666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Geesh!&nbsp; Try another decorator that doesn't work on commission.&nbsp; Clearly, this one has a listening issue. </p> <p>Perhaps ask a friend whose taste in interior design you admire for help.&nbsp; I find color can be tricky and you don't have to be a decorator to have a good eye for it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>If you are uncertain about where the flooring should start/stop you could ask for input from an experienced flooring sales person (not on commission!)&nbsp; They often have a good understanding of what will work in a situation.</p> <p>Agree with others that you should start with the flooring, then paint.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/basement-remodel-rabbit-hole#post-2056647 Thu, 29 Aug 2019 18:30:51 +0000 nemosmom 2056647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YES, <b>suntiger</b>! RIGHT?!! </p> <p><b>TheCat</b> - thanks! I brought her in to help determine a starting and stopping point - but she never got to the stopping part! </p> <p> </p>