EXISTING BASEMENT: This home, located in the Village of West Clay subdivision in West Carmel, was built in 2011. Although the original basement was finished with drywall and carpet, the space was an entertainment lackluster. “With my wife being from Florida and me being a sports fanatic, we wished to create a space that felt like a retro-beach sports pub.”
WET BAR: Once the existing carpet was removed from the bar area, the concrete was cut for new plumbing and electrical for the island microwave and receptacles. To give the bar a retro-beach look, the homeowners chose maple cabinets in a Dorian Gray finish along with a glass subway tile backsplash called “Glass Water” to remind them of the Key West beaches. Solid surface countertops in a Lava Rock color were chosen to compliment the cabinetry and backsplash.
Giving the area the desired sports pub look, the raised bar on the island features a maple wood top with a custom Chicago style bar rail stained in an espresso finish.
MEDIA AREA: New entertainment cabinetry was installed and stained to match the raised bar. Interior cabinet pullouts were installed to easily store and access movies and gaming discs. A decorative panel border was placed around the TV and also stained to match the espresso finish in the bar. Six floating shelves, approximately 3’-0” in length and 12” in depth, flank the flat screen TV to showcase the homeowners’ favorite movie inspired decor items.
POOL TABLE AREA: Paint grade poplar wainscoting was installed around the perimeter of the room that also coordinates with the paneling detail of the back of the bar island. Two drink ledges were placed in the corners. The wainscoting was then painted a dark gray color to coordinate with the bar cabinetry.
FINAL RESULT: “The basement is a perfect blend of our mutual hobbies. It makes my wife feel at home and it is the perfect place for me to entertain and watch football games with my friends. Of the entire space, the glass tile backsplash and the wainscoting are our favorite elements just because they add so much to the look of the basement.”