Basements
February 23, 2021
See The Dramatic Before & After Of This Family-Friendly Basement Makeover!
With 180-degree ocean views, this Manhattan Beach, California, home, perched on top of a hill, is a sight for sore eyes. It wasn’t always the case, though. Before designer Kate Lester got her hands on it, the 6,000-square-foot Mediterranean house was dark and dated, and the spacious basement was a dumping ground for the family of four. “The space wasn’t being utilized properly,” she says. “It was just extra storage off the garage.” So, after she transformed the upstairs into a “Spanifornia” (Spanish-California) haven, she tackled the downstairs. The family wanted an ultracool hangout that could host both their teenage son and his friends, and the adults. “The main goal for me was that it didn’t feel juvenile,” says Kate. “It still had to be sophisticated.” The end result is a functional and fashionable gathering place, perfect for sleepovers, game nights and more.
Scroll down to see the before and after of this dramatic basement makeover!
“I wanted this space to feel more masculine because the rest of the house is very light and airy,” says Kate. So, she chose a moody gray-blue color for the kitchen cabinets and a quirky geometric tile for the backsplash. Durable stone floors will stand up to muddy boots and sports equipment.
Every family basement needs a sink-in sofa, so Kate went with one from her shop which has a stain-protected fabric. She brought in warm, earthy tones with the abstract artwork, pillows and industrial-style sconce. The custom ottoman is outfitted with a sliding wood table to make it even more functional.
A pair of vintage wood stools provides extra seating around the ottoman or a place to hold drinks and snacks.
A modern botanical print from Zak + Fox adds a whimsical touch to the petite powder room. “If you’re going to take risks anywhere, it should be in rooms where you’re not in as frequently,” says Kate. She also replaced the outdated vanity for a rustic-chic version from Restoration Hardware.
For this bedroom, there is plenty of room for the son and his friends to hang out and play video games. “You have to think outside of the box when you have a space like this because you want to utilize every inch, but you never want to lose any light,” says Kate, who designed the sleek bunk bed.
A statement barn door keeps any clutter in the closet out of sight and out of mind. “You have to use dark colors if you want to create contrast,” says Kate. “It makes your whites whiter.”
Kate overhauled the adjoining bathroom by layering pops of black, gilt hardware and sleek stone with crisp white walls. It feels like a breath of fresh air!
One of the stand-out features of this basement is the temperature-controlled wine cellar, hidden behind a steel door. Bar-style seating makes this an intimate spot for wine tasting.
Amy Bartlam
Kate Lester Interiors