“Details are a love language”
– Sarah Walker
Gratitude. It’s the prime emotion I feel every time I write a reveal post for the One Room Challenge, and it seems to just get deeper every time.
It is not even the tiniest bit lost on me that this whole adventure is just one big privilege. (Thank you, Linda!!)
Getting to today takes a village. (Remember the BEFORE?) The king of that village is undoubtedly my husband. I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude for my Graham. This finished space represents his tireless work ethic, his partnership with me in life and love, his commitment to living out our vows (in sickness and in health), his love for me shown in perfecting all the little details as he used his hands to create yet another space where our family can connect. That’s what you’ll really be seeing as you look at these beautiful photos.
PANEL PERFECTION
To say that we are happy with how the paneling turned out would be a major understatement. As you can see, in the end I decided to honour my original design plan. We added an interior panel of Metrie’s Fashion Forward Scene II Panel Mould inside the Pretty Simple Scene II Panel Mould that we’ve used throughout the rest of the house. I am thrilled with the end result, especially now that it’s all painted out in Farrow & Ball‘s Wimborne White.
In one sense it’s a bit unusual that we have the most formal paneling treatment in the entire house in our basement, but as my gut instinct told me from the beginning, the space needed it. The height of the panels was determined by the two cellar doors on either side of the feature wall. In order to make all those lozenges feel visually balanced, they needed that second interior panel. The extra detail also repeats the rhythm and relief of the casing around the doors.
SOFA HEAVEN
I love the way the feature panelled wall frames the gorgeous “Float” art photograph by Mandy Blake, printed and framed by the kind folks at PosterJack. I also love how it frames the stunning Joni Sofa from Whittington. I’m SO happy we upholstered this sofa in the pristine WHITE yet kid-and-red-wine-friendly Crypton fabric from my lovely friends at Thibaut. (This designer fabric is available to the trade only via Kravet.) Thanks to Thibaut, my white sofa dreams have finally come true, and I’m NOT afraid to live on it with my family. I’m seriously raising a glass of red wine to THAT!
The Joni Sofa herself is truly THE MOST COMFORTABLE PIECE OF FURNITURE WE HAVE IN THE HOUSE. This may seem like an overuse of all caps until you come over and sit in it. Consider this your open invitation to experience sofa heaven (and a movie) at our place. Not only can all four of us snuggle on it easily, but it’s also the best sofa in the house for stretching out and taking a nap. Not that I’ve done that yet, but it’s so on my to-do list it hurts.
LOVING OUR LOUNGE-WORTHY FLOOR
What we HAVE all done already is found ourselves lounging on the floor. Not because the seating isn’t comfortable (obvi), but because between playing with Tate, enjoying the comfort of the Karastan Leighland wool broadloom that our friends at Alexanian installed for us, and secretly stroking the super-soft tan hide rug from AllModern, there really is no reason not to get down to a toddler level and get into play time. I consider this a serious win. Any room that looks sophisticated and is a welcome home for the senses while still being kid friendly is definitely a designer success.
Speaking of success, I wasn’t entirely sure what the colour of the AllModern hide rug would be in person as I know online images can be tricky with natural hide, but in a stroke of serendipity, it is exactly the same colour as the vintage burled cubes we are using as our coffee table. I love the way they work together to anchor the seating area in this otherwise open space.
LAYERS, LAYERS AND MORE LOVELY LAYERS
How delicious is the texture of these petrified wood side tables from Bernhardt? I’m totally crazy for their rustic yet refined elegance. They are at once raw and polished (literally and figuratively) with their smooth tops and rough edges. I love the juxtaposition and poetry they represent all by themselves.
In contrast to the organic edge of the petrified wood side tables, I love the modern simplicity of the rustic copper container from my friends at Renwil (now home to a pretty little succulent from the lovely Fiori Oakville). That super yummy, so-soft-you-just-want-to-pet-it Mongolian Fur blanket you see is from the Tibetan fur experts at Fibre By Auskin, and it is truly the cure for any cold winter night. SO cozy!
As you’ll see in so many of these photos, the Karastan Leighland in Graphite Cluster is a gorgeous and graphic grounding to the space that makes it feel sophisticated and interesting while not competing with anything else in the space. I love the scale of this pattern and how it plays with all of the other patterns and details in the room, including the gorgeous Leopard Linen and Channels pillows from my lovely friend Arianna Belle. I’m pretty crazy about the pattern play and how it all came together. In the end, Arianna’s lovely blush velvet and the colour of the hide rug weren’t playing nice together (which again, can be the issue with screen-vs-reality), but I already have plans for that prettiness elsewhere in the house.
The fact that each petrified wood side table is unique quite simply makes my wood-loving heart happy, and the chic symmetry of the pair of brass Viola floor lamps from Renwil provide a counterpoint to the petrified wood pieces being slightly different in shape and height.
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
Choosing to work with charcoal grey wool broadloom and a black custom built-in might seem like a bold move, especially for a basement. But as you can see, the basement actually feels big and bright. The Farrow & Ball Pitch Black paint on the media cabinet that Graham built serves to provide a dramatic focal point. In fact, it actually pushing the ceiling upwards and creating a really integrated home for the 65″ LG OLED E6 TV. It also makes for the perfect theatre-screening-like surround for movies. The Pitch Black built-in totally disappears into the background when we are watching movies and shows on the stunning LG screen.
The gorgeous brushed brass hardware from Upper Canada Specialty Hardware makes for a strong and modern statement, and also makes all of those drawers as pretty as they are practical. They represent a whole new world of toy storage entering our lives, another reason this room is as kid-friendly as it is adult-friendly.
KID FRIENDLY ROOMS CAN MAKE GROWN-UPS HAPPY, TOO
I don’t believe kid-friendly rooms have to look like a toy store threw up in them. It’s all about strategic storage, and built-ins are your best friend on that front. I am SO happy we managed to fit so much customized storage into this room. It will keep the space feeling open and organized which for me also translates into sane and happy.
The charcoal colour of the Karastan Leighland broadloom is also SUPER kid friendly, as is the pattern. Pattern is always more forgiving of spills and stains, and the naturally stain-repellent qualities of the New Zealand wool in this carpeting just take the kid-friendly-factor up another notch. The darker colour is grounding and warm without making the room feel small. As I said with the title for this section, don’t be afraid of the dark. In fact, I believe every well balanced room needs at least a bit of black (or dark) to create contrast and grounding.
Another sophisticated and surprisingly kid-friendly element in the room is the beautiful Cohen Chair from Bernhardt. This beauty’s Deco-inspired lines pair so beautifully with Whittington & Co’s Joni Sofa that I wish I’d opted for two of them instead of just one. That said, this one chair is perfect for the small piece of wall we have flanking the entry into the laundry room. I love how the soft and welcoming polish of the Park Blvd. Tibet Lambskin pillow looks nestled into the Cohen Chair. The hair-on-hide upholstery on the chair makes it surprisingly kid-friendly while adding an air of liveable luxury.
REPEAT DESIGN ELEMENTS TO CREATE COHESION BETWEEN ROOMS
As you can see right next to the chair, we chose to repeat the amazing Metrie Very Square Rift Cut White Oak doors that hide our furnace and water heater in the laundry room as the entry door to that space. I love the warm welcome and sophistication the simple rift cut oak door offers, especially mounted on this simple and modern sliding door hardware from Upper Canada Specialty Hardware. The soft close stoppers on the sliding door hardware are a particularly elegant touch, and the solid wood door from Metrie totally blocks out the sounds of the washer and dryer when closed.
Just as a reminder, here’s another peek at the laundry room (my first One Room Challenge space!):
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH BEAUTY WHEREVER YOU ARE
I have been longing for an inspiring exercise space in our house since we moved in, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that that space finally exists. For me, beauty inspires and motivates, so it is entirely fitting that my exercise room looks almost as much like an art gallery as it does an at-home Pilates studio. I love that the combination of Minted’s Redwood Morning layered with Amy Friend’s Into Dreams I (via Citizen Atelier). Amy’s piece is finished with the perfect Framed & Matted frame, and I chose to work with an oversized matte to give it both space and presence (something I’m aiming for in my own body as I work on myself in this space).
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”
– Marcus Aurelius
CHOOSE ART THAT TELLS YOUR STORY
The Jaime Derringer for Minted piece on the opposite wall (also finished with a classic Framed & Matted frame) for me represents the layers of work and struggle, pain and discovery, triumph and overcoming that I have already uncovered and still have yet to grasp in my health journey. Exercise is no longer about achieving a dress size for me, and hasn’t been for years. It’s about achieving freedom in my own body – freedom from pain, freedom to move, freedom to be spontaneous, to play, to express myself, to live with unencumbered joy. I look forward to the steps I’ll take toward that kind of freedom in this sacred little space in my home.
It honestly makes perfect sense that the most health-oriented appliance in our house – the LG Styler – is also in this corner of the house. Be sure to pop back to my Week Four update to find out why I’m so appliance-happy over this little wonder. We’ve already used it a half a dozen times or more, and I think it’s safe to say it will be one of the most well-used and well-loved appliances we own.
EMBRACING THE CONTENTMENT OF MY CURATED HOUSE
And that, my friends, is the last floor of our multi-level home complete! I have to tell you, it makes a huge difference to know that we no longer have a seriously rough and unfinished space awaiting our attention. No more designer room of shame in the house!
There is something significant to be said for the psychology of environment and the comfort that comes from a home that supports your life on every level. That’s always my goal with the homes I design for my clients, and I’m so grateful we have a home with an interior that is finished to function beautifully and inspire our own little family. We still have a master bedroom that could use some decorating love and an exterior that is in serious need of a curb appeal makeover, but the interior of our home feels like just that – home – and I could not be more thankful for that.
TAKE TIME TO SAVOUR ALL THE ONE ROOM CHALLENGE REVEALS!
I am also incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to link arms with my fellow design daredevils throughout this One Room Challenge. There are some SPECTACULAR spaces to be seen in this round, so be sure to check out all of these links!
Jana Bek | Chris Loves Julia | Shannon Claire | Coco.Kelley | The Curated House
Driven by Decor | The English Room | From the Right Bank | Sherry Hart
Hi Sugarplum | House of Jade | Hunted Interior | The Makerista | Making it Lovely
Marcus Design | Pencil & Paper Co. | Megan Pflug | Place of My Taste | Suburban B’s
Waiting on Martha Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by CIH
HUGE thanks to Larry Arnal for the beautiful photos capturing this “one floor challenge” as he calls it. Thank you as well to Fiori Oakville for all of the beautiful flowers you see in these images. And my most heartfelt thanks to all of the brands who trusted me enough to tell their story by partnering with me on this project. You are the village that makes this possible, and I’m humbled and honoured to work with you.
Can’t get enough of all this ORC goodness? Be sure to pop back next Wednesday when I’ll share my favourite spaces from this edition of the One Room Challenge, along with the design lessons we can learn from each of them. And until then, remember,
“It’s not what you look at that matters,
it’s what you see.”
– Thoreau
PS: If you are preparing for a renovation of your own and want to know my secrets to success, be sure to get your free copy of the Designer Insider guide I created just for you! Just click the image below to download your copy now.
the stumps and the burl wood are giving me all the feels! they warm that space up beautifully- chic and relaxed and a great hangout!
I’m totally wood-obsessed, and I love that you are too, Cassie! Wood textures for the win! xx
Sarah this space is breathtaking! I love that the reformer even looks like a piece of installation art in the space.
The cohesion between spaces is the cherry on top. Beautiful work! Also, those flowers are surreal!
Thanks so much, Ariel. I love that you are clearly a Detailista just like me. SO grateful for your kind words of encouragement! xx
stunning space Sarah and high five to the talented and handy husband of yours! I so need my engineer to get skilled up with his cabinetry expertise. Love the Mongolian fur accent … just so warm and inviting and that sofa in white! I love sofa in white and love that this one will forever stay white no matter what!
Genius idea on the cabinet to go black to “hide” the TV! Note to self on that until my search of a white TV is over. They have that in Europe or Asia, somehow just not in North America. LG are you reading this? 🙂
That hair-on-hide moment is pure perfection! Love it!
Big congrats and I am glad that you are feeling better Sarah!
Thanks so much, Tim! I cannot wait to see your reveal tomorrow! xx
I knew your space was going to be good but this is way beyond that.
Hands down the nicest basement I’ve ever seen. You have the ability to make a space full of character while simultaneously keeping it simple and clean looking.
You are so very talented. Way to go!!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words of support, Jessica! I’m grateful. xx
This is fabulous. I adore the black and white and that tile floor…swoon! Bravo on completing a wonderful One Room Challenge!
Thank you so much, Holly! You are an incredible design talent, so this encouragement means the world coming from you!! xx
Sarah….I am seeing this gorgeous black and white room and it’s fabulous! Love every element……that sofa looks so comfy and the Bernhardt modern chair is the perfect partner! You gave us a gorgeous space so congratulations!
Thank you so much, Sherry! Your space is stunning and I’m headed your way shortly to drink in all the delicious details! xx
Woah… so much I love in this… Truly awesome transformation!!! I have to figure out how to “steal” your black TV build in. So many pretties … I have scrolled up and down like 6 times! Congrats on such a remarkable space. ???
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words, Toni! xx
Congratulations Sarah on your amazing One Room Challenge. What a transformation!! You’ve created such a bright and welcoming family space. Beautiful!!!
Both Allan and I are grateful that the ORC brought us together and it has been our complete pleasure working with you.
Wishing you and your family many cozy movie nights, with lots of popcorn and cuddles…oh…and maybe a bottle of wine for mom and dad (you guys certainly deserve it;) Enjoy!!
Thank you so much for your kind partnership and support, Wendy! I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to work with you on this project. xx
I love all the layers of texture & those built-ins are awesome! That beautiful sofa was worth the wait!
Thank you, Jana! Your space is BEYOND. Consider me on the waiting list for custom Jana Bek pink, hand-painted drapery panels! xx
My friend, you pulled it off beautifully!!! I love every detail (as always!!) and the furniture is stunning!!!!! Love it all 🙂 xo
You, my friend, are such an encouragement! I cannot WAIT to see the reveal of YOUR beautiful basement transformation. So grateful for your support! xx
I have never wanted a basement so bad in my life. These spaces are beautiful!
Haha – thanks so much, Darcel!!
I had forgotten this was a basement – such an elegant space! But more than that, the loving tribute to your husband is what puts this ORC in a class by itself. Congratulations on designing and creating this extraordinary area together.
Thank you so much, Merlyn. He is the real prize at the end of this! The finished space is just a reflection of his dedication and commitment to loving our family with everything he’s got. So grateful we get to do life together! And so grateful we now have one more space in which to connect!
xx
Sarah
You are a genius Sarah! Time and time again you’ve just wowed us with your spaces and this is just another great testament to that! Congratulations for another fabulous job!
Wow, thank you so much for your generous support, Vel! I’m humbled and honoured by your kind encouragement.
xx
Sarah
Restrained, well-edited and sophisticated. Well done!
I love everything about the space and specially love the wood elements.. I have a strange question, what brand is that Pilates reformer? Thank-you
Not a strange question at all, Polina! It’s a Stott Pilates reformer. 🙂 And I’m with you. Wood woos me every time!
xx
Sarah
I’m in burled wood heaven! This space is gorgeous. You did it again girl!
Gorgeous space. I’ve been looking at that carpet for a while and now that I see it in your space, I’m convinced it will look great in mine as well. Did you list the source for your burlwood coffee tables? The size and scale is perfect. I’d love to know where they are from.
Ah, I’m so happy to hear that this space helped you decide on your own Karastan broadloom! We honestly LOVE it!
The burl coffee tables are vintage, so I’m afraid I don’t have a source for you there. Try searching for Milo Baughman or pieces in the style of Milo Baughman. Hope that helps!
Sarah xx
Wow, Sarah you are beyond talented. I WANT this space, I would feel like I was in heaven watching movies with popcorn here. The built ins, the carpet, the vignettes, it’s all sooo good. Another job well done my friend! Kudos from the other Canadian in this round xoxoxoxo
You are truly the loveliest, Nancy, and such a talent in your own right!! We need to get ourselves on the same time zone sometime soon and catch up over dinner! Sending loads of love from the East.
xx
Sarah
What an amazing and serene space! I love all the furnishings and decor in this space. Congratulations on this gorgeous makeover!
Such a lovely space! Way to work that work out equipment! Great to see that laundry room again too. XO
Haha – thanks so much, Amanda! I believe even the most utilitarian spaces in our homes can also be pretty. I mean, why not make the mundane, everyday stuff of life more inspiring, right? 😉
I wish I could say what I love best about your space but I can’t because everything is just so spot on! You have created what might be the most elegant yet comfortable looking basement space ever. And kudos to your amazing photographer. Congrats!
Wow, thanks so much, Tricia! I just love your space too – all those yummy layers and details! Clearly we are kindred spirits. xx
Wow, so gorgeous! Every inch of this room is to die for. Love.
Thanks Bre! So grateful for your kind words. xx
Sarah, this is so pretty! Great job on the space! I know what you mean about it taking a village – this is so true! I talked about that also in my ORC reveal. Beautiful beautiful job! xo, G
Ah, thanks Grace! Raising a glass to getting through another ORC unscathed! 🙂
Sarah, the is stunning. So glad you have a handy husband. I love how elegant this feels and it looks like it could be the main living area, but it’s a basement! The carpet, builtins, and layers of texture are wonderful. Great job.
Thank you so much for this opportunity, Linda. You are a superstar and I’m so grateful to know you. xx
Beautiful.
Can you tell me the ceiling height? I have a similar project to tackle with lots of heat/ac ductwork and can’t decide whether to drop the ceiling or paint the ductwork. How low can a basement ceiling go?
The ceiling is quite low, Barbara – around 84″. We boxed in our ductwork and kept as much ceiling height as we could (you might notice it in the exercise room) and I would definitely recommend doing the same. A few boxed in sections aren’t nearly as oppressive as the whole ceiling being super low. Paint the walls and ceiling the same colour (I would recommend white) to keep it feeling bigger and brighter too. Good luck with your reno!
Sarah, I’ve got some serious basement envy – it’s amazing! Love all of the details and how how the textures and patterns work so beautifully together!
Thanks so much, Kris! That means the world coming from you! xx
Yes yes yes! This is a gorgeous marriage of textures. The rough wood with the furry throw and the touches of cool metallic! Sensory swooniness! What a gorgeous reveal!
You’re the loveliest – thanks so much for your kindness, Jen! xx
[…] The Curated House – This room gives me all the feels. Our laundry room has come a long way, but I’ve still got really big plans. This is my new inspiration! […]