Our Cities

Birmingham Louisville Memphis Nashville Southern Edition
Subscribe
Ad
Homes

Terrace Level Transformation: A Beautiful Basement Makeover

Take one look at this terrace level transformation, and we think you'll agree that this isn't your parents' basement.

Β· By Lisa Mowry
0
Add StyleBlueprint on Google
mcadams01 e1507147297278Pin

Forget the dreary basements we all grew up with, with their cast-off furniture, cheap carpeting and dark walls. Today’s lower levels are every bit as stylish and functional as the upper floors. In fact, the term basement doesn’t even fly in real estate or design circles. β€œTerrace level” β€” particularly when there are windows and doors leading to the outdoors β€” better describes these inviting spaces.

Kathryn McAdams of Meriwether Design GroupΒ recently redid this empty terrace level in a suburban Atlanta house from nothing into a full-functioning living area. β€œFour years ago the homeowners bought a house with an unfinished terrace level,” she says. β€œWhile the children were small they didn’t really need the extra room, but as they’ve gotten older and with the addition of a pool, the family needed more room to entertain and accommodate out-of-town guests.”

Since the terrace level has a dedicated television room, interior designer Kathryn McAdams could turn this smaller room into a seating area off the pool. β€œInstead of putting a large couch or sectional in here, we broke it up and did four swivel chairs with a central ottoman--all by leeindustries.com,--that’s perfect for conversation,” says Kathryn. β€œThis is often where the women end up sitting to chat while the men watch sports.” Pin
Since the terrace level has a dedicated television room, interior designer Kathryn McAdams could turn this smaller room into a seating area off the pool. β€œInstead of putting a large couch or sectional in here, we broke it up and did four swivel chairs with a central ottoman β€” all by Lee Industries β€” that’s perfect for conversation,” says Kathryn. β€œThis is often where the women end up sitting to chat while the men watch sports.”
mcadams04Pin
A large-scale iron chandelier in the media room continues the rustic theme. Dark gray doors pick up gray accent colors in the brick and rug.
Reclaimed brick lines the kitchen backsplash and other areas of the terrace level to add texture and instant β€œage” to the rooms.Pin
Reclaimed brick lines the kitchen backsplash and other areas of the terrace level to add texture and instant β€œage” to the rooms.
To make each room special, flooring in each room is a bit different. The herringbone pattern in the wood floor is mimicked in the brick backsplash. A built-in banquette adds comfortable kitchen seating.Pin
To make each room special, flooring in each room is a bit different. The herringbone pattern in the wood floor is mimicked in the brick backsplash. A built-in banquette adds comfortable kitchen seating.

The space was completelyΒ unfinished except for structural support walls, which were reconfigured for a better flow as one first step. Kathryn then added plumbing for a kitchen and second bathroom. β€œWe debated doing a full kitchen, but the clients really didn’t feel that was necessary,” she says,Β β€œso we chose a convection microwave instead of a standard oven, along with a professional cooktop/hood, large fridge, sink and dishwasher.” (The designer is a big fan of some sort of dishwasher β€” even a dish drawer β€” in any bar or entertainment area that’s away from the main kitchen to make clean-up easier.)

She took her design cues from the family’s love of their lake cabin, and she decided to channel the look of an eclectic lake house. β€œI didn’t want it to feel brand new,” says Kathryn. β€œAnd I wanted to incorporate the rich greens and reds that I know they love.” Cedar beams frame door openings as one rustic touch. Kathryn also added β€œbeams” in the living area, although she used the trick of substituting mitered cedar boxes made by her trim contractor β€” rather than solid beams β€” as a way to keep the budget in check.

A floating vanity, geometric tile floor, and fuchsia barn door distinguish this lively bathroom.Pin
A floating vanity, geometric tile floor and fuchsia barn door distinguish this lively bathroom.
This guest bedroom has a crisp black-and-white theme with touches of pink. Katespade.com lamps and bedding from westelm.com and crateandbarrel.com add a modern flair.Pin
This guest bedroom has a crisp black-and-white theme with touches of pink. Kate Spade lamps and bedding from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add a modern flair.
When it made sense, the designer repurposed existing pieces owned by her clients, such as this white upholstered bed covered in a sunbrella.com fabric for durability.Pin
When it made sense, the designer repurposed existing pieces owned by her clients, such as this white upholstered bed covered in a Sunbrella fabric for durability.
A hanging chair and wallpapered walls contribute to the whimsical boy’s room.Pin
A hanging chair and fun wallpaper contribute to the whimsical boy’s room.
β€œThis bathroom was a fun room to design,” says Kathryn. β€œIt acts as a changing room for the pool and bathroom for the living area. Since it has no natural light, we created the look of a skylight by installing a dropped ceiling and adding a recessed glass case with frosted glass and daylight bulbs.” The paned shower wall brings in another industrial accent.Pin
β€œThis bathroom was a fun room to design,” says Kathryn. β€œIt acts as a changing room for the pool and bathroom for the living area. Since it has no natural light, we created the look of a skylight by installing a dropped ceiling and adding a recessed glass case with frosted glass and daylight bulbs.” The paned shower wall brings in another industrial accent.

Brick accents provide another texture and rustic element. β€œThe brick we used as the kitchen backsplash and the accent wall in the living area are real brick pavers reclaimed from a building in Chicago,” says Kathryn. β€œThat architectural character was critical to help add some patina and history into the new space.”

This project may be only one floor deep, but each room has a lot of details. β€œIt looks clean and simple,” says Kathryn, β€œbut we made sure to add layers of interest and create multiple focal points.”

We’d say she did just that and elevated this basement terrace level to new heights!

Thank you to Jeff Herr Photography for the beautiful photos.

*********

Keep up with our very favorite things from around Atlanta!Β Follow us on Instagram β€” @StyleBlueprintAtlanta.

Lisa Mowry

Lisa Mowry

See all articles by Lisa Mowry
Add StyleBlueprint on Google

Leave a Comment

Our unofficial motto at StyleBlueprint is "Be kind. Do good." We encourage this to be the basis for all comments on our articles. Provide feedback that adds to the story. Some controversy or disagreements are part of any good dialogue between friends, but anything that tears down or belittles others is subject to disapproval or removal. Thank you for being a member of the StyleBlueprint community! View our Community Guidelines.

StyleBlueprint Daily

Join over 200,000 others who have signed up for StyleBlueprint, a life of style & substance, delivered daily. Create an account