The goal of this Carmel home makeover was to thoughtfully segment the available space, establishing clearly defined areas for distinct purposes. A key request from the husband was the creation of a separate play area for the children to contain the spread of toys throughout the house. Our studio got to work carefully planning the basement, the main floor living space, kitchen, pantry, dining areas, home office, and bathroom to ensure a seamless synergy of style and function throughout the house.
The design plan for the basement included the integration of a modest dry bar, a home theater, a lounge, a playroom, and a gym, all reflecting the ambiance of a chic, upscale lounge. The color palette was intentionally chosen to be deeper and moodier than the main floor, further enhancing its distinct identity. The overarching vision was to craft a sociable setting, perfect for inviting friends over to watch a soccer match, enjoy drinks, or engage in lively conversation.
Rather than situating the bar in the anticipated spot where the wall retreated, we engineered a creative solution of constructing a new wall at a right angle to provide an attractive framework for it. This changed the orientation of the focal point and prevented there being too much on one wall. This also allowed a nook to be created for a long banquette with a couple of drink tables and four club chairs around a cocktail table to round out the lounge area. Since the theater area was quite generous, a large U-shaped sectional with a sofa table and bar stools were added. For the color scheme, we chose a deep blue with gold, white, and wood touches. Some fun accents like sliding metal doors, chunky picture ledges, architectural accent walls, and artsy wall sconces add a pop of fun.
The goal for the main floor was to add architectural interest, make the fireplace a unique feature, and rectify issues with the living room layout. A built-in bench along the back window adds extra seating and provides space to tuck away toys. The traditional painted surround was removed and replaced with dark large format tile, rustic iron brackets, and a wood mantel. The idea was to incorporate the large blank wall beside the fireplace into the room’s focal point. So, behind the TV console, we added moldings that go up to the ceiling to create a dramatic dimensional feature. The pantry received a stained wood door to repeat the rustic element of the kitchen flooring. In the office, a feature wall was installed to balance the built-ins on the other side. The powder room also received a fun facelift, giving it character and a little glitz.
