A Tour of My Renovated Basement Studio
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big believer in the adage: a clear space, a clear mind. But even more than that, I want it to exist in a space that seamlessly blends form and functionality. Practically, given that I work from home, I need my home to double as an office; and given that I’m a fashion and lifestyle blogger, I need my office to also function as a studio. My home has to be everything for me at once. (A lot to ask, I know.).
Aesthetically, I want my space to be a never-ending opportunity for creative expression. I’m constantly rearranging furniture—swapping this couch for that chair and back again. I’m always adding new art; replacing this decoration for that one; moving one of many coffee table books from shelf to table and back again. So, last year, I decided to take the ultimate plunge and remodel the house. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years—ever since we moved in, actually. And in all honesty, it turned out better than I could have hoped.
As part of our reset, refresh, and renew month, each Thursday, I’m going to take you through a tour of each renovated room. We’ll start today with my recently renovated basement studio. So take your shoes off and come on in. (During the early part of the pandemic, we ran A Day in the Life: Home Tour series over here on the blog. If you’re interested in before pictures of my basement, you can check out A Tour of My Refinished Basement as a “before” reference.)
Remodeled kitchen
What was so appealing about this house was the fact that it had a finished, walkout basement complete with a guest bedroom, bath, and full kitchen—total privacy and convenience for anyone who comes to visit. So, let’s kick things off with my remodeled basement kitchen. A total transformation, here, with new custom cabinetry, floating shelves, and a subway tile backsplash. Given that my floors are blue/purple stained concrete, I went with a neutral base: whites and grays, which really makes the brushed gold hardware and faucet pop.
Remodeled kitchen. Cabinet paint Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. Wall paint Dorian Gray. Floating shelves stained Soyabean.
Custom cabinets from Webber Colemen
Remodeled studio
My home doubles as a studio for both the blog and YouTube. Lights, camera, action all day, every day. (Or at least it feels like it.) Just wanted to give you a quick little glimpse here of behind the scenes. ‘Cause this is where I spend most of my time when not photographing on-site out and about Athens.
Home studio leather lounge chairs from West Elm.
Remodeled den
Alright, my favorite part of the basement: the den. The biggest change here was simple but profound. We painted the stone fireplace in white, the firebox black and replaced the gas logs with functional ones. (Believe it or not, it went unused for six years.) Such an unbelievable difference this all made. And I can honestly say that the fireplace really stole the show this Christmas when all of my kiddos gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve. We went with new paint throughout, rearranged all of the furniture and artwork, and transformed a room the kiddos kinda-sorta liked being in into one in which they love. A huge win.
Remodeled fireplace
Remodeled den, stained concrete.
Remodeled den (cont.)
Webber Coleman Woodworks
A special shoutout to Webber Coleman Woodworks, who led the renovations in their entirety. I was introduced to a family-run cabinetry shop here in Athens through my daughter-in-law, who also had her kitchen renovated through Webber Coleman. I can’t recommend this team highly enough. The quality of their work is exceptional, and they hit every deadline on time. (And for anyone that has gone through a renovation, that actually might be the most important thing.). Make sure to follow Webber Coleman on Instagram, especially if you’re looking for inspiration for your own home projects.
In case you missed it
Our new YouTube video—5 Fashion Mistakes (and how to fix)—is live and watchable below.
Thank you for a tour of your refinished basement. Very nice and functional. Love the fireplace!
Wow, such a great space and remodel. It really is warm and inviting. One thing though…as a designer, I always remind clients that after a remodel of their “basement” they should now start referring to it by it’s newly elevated title…THE LOWER LEVEL! I know you are really going to enjoy your new space.
Would you please share your source for the bar stools?
And it looks like Oscar is enjoying the new space as well! It all looks so cozy and fun.
Thank you Beth for sharing your new space. Very cozy, love the idea of painting the fireplace stone which looks very nice with a modern touch. Enjoy your new space. Have a great 2022.
What a beautiful remodel. I love how welcoming it is and the mixture of pieces. The fireplace looks amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Very interesting and functional space. Enjoy!
Beth, I just love your renewed lower level. Can we talk about that fantastic, cowhide chair?! It is MOST fabulous! Enjoy your new space.
It’s so beatiful. I love the floor color. Maybe if wear a cat suit, I can live there as a stray! LOL.
Happy New Year and beautiful job on the remodel, Beth! We refinished our basement last year and really love it.
I’m curious about the black mullions in your window. Did you paint them or were they always black?
the mullions were painted black.
Beautiful reno! Wow!
So functional, yet livable and cozy. Nice job.
I love the way you decorated the hearth for Christmas.
That was so pretty!
Thanks for sharing these pictures! Always loved house tours!
Wowee! What a beautiful basement. I love it.
Thanks so much for sharing! Love your new fireplace ❤️
Love your basement renovation! Thanks for sharing. You’ve given me some good ideas.
Beth the reno of your basement is very well done. Huge bonus square footage in our homes. I have to ask about the amaryllis bulbs on the window sill. Are they coated in an epoxy? I am assuming they are real and not faux. Thank you
yes, they’re coated in wax. Trader Joe’s had these in stock before the holidays.
Beautiful, so well done, huge pat on the back to you and your team.
Very good advises Beth
Good video, the way you explain everything
Thank you for your advices
I really have problems with colors, but I will try to see what I can do.
you can do it!
What I really love in this reno is the idea of spraying the ceiling black and polishing the concrete floor. It gives it a more modern/industrial look at huge savings!!! I’m going to do this in our new build instead of what we have done in all our previous houses. I’m also thinking I might save in a few places by painting the poured concrete walls(that have a brick look texture) instead of all the framing and drywall. But maybe that would be too cold for our Wisconsin basement😂
Was your fireplace a natural multi-colored stone fireplace before painting white? I would love to do that but may have a fight on my hands with hubby. Do you have a before picture of your fireplace? Thank you.
We are currently deep in the throes of refinishing our basement and my studio – how timely was your posting! I love what you have done and your concept of a clear space that is somewhat sparse but in no way lacking. I tried to convince my husband on stained concrete but he wasn’t having it so he ordered flooring (I still love the industrial\modern look of stained concrete.) Thank you for sharing! Michele