A&E Construction's Blog

Family Basement Remodel

High-end remodel of an unfinished basement in Princeton

We are pleased to announce the completion of a recent basement remodel in Princeton. This comprehensive 2,200 sf basement remodel involved extensive design and construction processes that ultimately resulted in the spaces depicted in these images. It’s hard to believe that this bright and cheerful space is really underground. The clients came to us wanting a space that defied the stereotype of a dark, dank basement. With plenty of light, vibrant and tactile materials, and ample space for entertaining, this basement will serve as the perfect place for parties, movie nights, and even casual family dinners for years to come.

Client’s Needs and Desires

The clients for this project wanted to convert their unfinished basement into a series of attractive and functional finished living spaces for use by their family and friends. Their wants included the following:

o Wanted a full kitchen in the basement

o Wished to relocate the laundry room from the upstairs to a new laundry room downstairs

o Wanted plenty of sitting areas for entertaining

o Desired a cinema-style theater room

o Needed living quarters for the au pair that watches over their children, including a full bedroom and bathroom access

Basement after construction completed

Before

We worked with the clients to develop a floor plan and design that fit their needs and aesthetic tastes. The primary goal was to create a space that felt bright and welcoming, atypical of most basements.

Proposed Floorplan

We had several goals when developing the floorplan for this project. One objective was to minimize costs by keeping the structural system of the basement the same. To do this, we had to develop a floorplan that best minimized the imposition of the existing columns on the overall space. We also wanted to create a plan that maximized the exposure of the room to natural light, so we kept areas with windows and doors as open as possible.

Rendering of Proposed Design

Functional Improvements

We made a number of improvements to the basement in order to increase its functionality. First of all, we relocated the laundry room to the basement, which allows the au pair to have easier access to the laundry. We also installed multiple countertops to provide plenty of folding space, ensuring that the space functions well for the family. Other improvements made include the design and installation of a full kitchen to allow for easy entertaining in the new space. A cinema-style theater room was also included, which acts as a unique entertainment space for the clients and their friends. This involved constructing a tiered flooring layout to provide optimal viewing and a real cinema feel. We also provided the clients with a new sitting area with custom built-in shelving for the clients to display their extensive library of books. This area acts as a cozy niche for reading or sitting.
We included living quarters for the family's au pair in the new basement, which allows her to enter and leave the home through the basement's back door rather than disturbing the rest of the home upstairs. To complete the living quarters, we designed and installed a luxurious new bathroom, including a double vanity and custom steam shower with transom glass for steam regulation, a built-in shower bench, and striking waterfall tile. Finally, we implemented a built-in dehumidifier in order to promote superior air quality and fight the high moisture levels associated with basements.

Laundry Room Complete

Bar Area Complete

Bathroom Complete

Living Room Complete

Theater Complete

Aesthetic Improvements

We made a number of aesthetic improvements to the basement. First of all, we demolished the existing staircase and constructed a new one that included a landing, a custom railing, and custom staining. We replaced the existing door at the top of the stairs with a glass French door, allowing natural light to continue from the upper levels of the home into the basement. All of this was done to create an inviting entryway from the main house to the newly finished basement area.

Handsome finishes were selected that give the basement a high-end aesthetic. Many of the materials chosen incorporate coordinating blues and golds, for instance in the granite counters and backsplashes. The vibrant and striking blue backsplash in the kitchen acts as a centerpiece for the entire floor, and colored blue outlets camouflage in the tile so as not to detract from the aesthetic. Furthermore, high quality cork floating floor that gives the space a sophisticated and warm aesthetic.

Other aesthetic improvements that we made include replacing the aging existing doors and windows with new upgraded versions. In the bedroom area, the existing window was replaced with an egress window, allowing ample natural light to permeate the space. Providing enough light throughout the basement was essential to preventing a dark or gloomy feel that many basements possess. In addition to using windows to achieve lightness throughout the basement, we also used a comprehensive system of recessed lighting, contemporary accent chandeliers in the kitchen area to add visual interest, under cabinet lighting in the cooking area to showcase the remarkable backsplash and provide extra light during food preparation, and also custom "star" lighting in the theater to enhance the cinematic aesthetic.

Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen Complete

Superior Craftsmanship

Superior craftsmanship was shown throughout the project on a number of levels. In terms of woodworking, we designed and fabricated a staircase with custom hand rail that leads from the upper levels of the home to the new finished basement area. We used an intensive three-step staining process on this wood to achieve the warm depth seen in the photographs. We also designed and constructed a large bookcase in order to store and display the clients' book collection. Other instances of superior craftsmanship include the custom detailing on the columns throughout the basement.

Custom Staircase

Sitting Area Complete

Staircase Complete

Bookcase Complete

Backsplash Complete

Overcoming Obstacles

We faced several challenges during the design and construction of this basement project. One of the major problems associated with basements is moisture, and we took several measures to ensure that moisture isn't an issue in the newly finished basement. Before construction even began, we first regraded the ground outside of the home to force water flow away from the house rather than toward the newly finished area. Next, a sealed French drain system was installed to aid in moisture and radon control. Finally, a dehumidifier was installed to aid in moisture regulation of the air in the new basement.
Another obstacle of the project was the client's desire for a bedroom in the basement. Codes require that a separate means of exit must be available for emergency situations, and so we had to construct an egress window in the bedroom. This necessitated excavation of the earth in that area as well as cutting of the existing foundation in order to allow for the new window.
Lastly came the challenges associated with the mechanical work of the project. In order to provide sufficient head clearance throughout the basement area, we had to relocate the existing radon line and duct work. Another obstacle was that in order to install the full kitchen and laundry room in the basement, we had to saw cut the existing foundation slab in order to implement the necessary mechanical work, requiring days of labor. However, despite any obstacles the project is now complete and ready to be enjoyed!

Egress Window Complete

Bedroom Complete

Saw Cut Slab

Thursday, December 18, 2014

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