Project: Finish Basement

What am I doing today?

Painting trimwork for the basement.

We cleared out the table from the dining room and spread out a giant sheet of plastic.

I have about 60+ different pieces to do...this day is beginning to feel a bit long.

But the thought of being done with this project is great motivation.

Project: Finish Basement

Carpet is going in today!!! Hurray!

This is going to totally and completely transform the space.

And the bonus: after carpet is installed, only the moldings and mantel remain. Sooo close to the end!

PS...the red is the carpet pad...

Project: Finish Basement

The fireplace is almost done.

The veneer is up and the tiling is finished.

The only thing left is the mantel.

Project: Finish Basement

The doors arrived and have been installed.

We were coming down to the wire for when the carpet was going to be installed, but we had come across a snag. The doors I really wanted were going to be a special order which meant a 4 week lead time. Sigh. In order to get the doors I had dreamed of, I would need to push out the carpet installation by a month. OR I could select a different (all-be-it plain) door that Lowe's had in stock.

Jason and I went to Lowe's and the sales clerk was so helpful. She could tell I was going to settle on practicality instead of getting the ones I really wanted so she threw me a curve ball. She told me that in her opinion, since I would be having these doors for a long time, I should go with my heart. And to prove she really meant it, she threw in a 10% discount for the inconvenience of having to wait.

After a lot of hemming and hawing, I decided she was right.

But after only 10 days the doors arrived!!!

They have been installed and are looking beautiful. They make my heart sing.

Project: Finish Basement

Each day brings change...it's amazing how things are shaping up.

We ordered carpet and it was going to be delivered this week, but we had a hang-up with the doors. They won't be here for another two weeks and we need to get those installed before we do the carpet....sooooo carpet will wait. They said that even though out order has come in, they can hold it for us for a bit and to just call when the doors are done to set up the installation date. Easy peasy.

The painting is finished...100% of it done by my parents. Seriously, these two are work horses! They don't quit...kind of like the energizer bunny! I can't even begin to thank them for all their hard work. Well, we may be able to repay them if they end up building by helping them finish off their basement. I'm also thinking that the carrot I'm dangling in front of their nose is helping to spur them on. They get this level to live in once it's finished until they move out. I'm thinking they will love having their own space.

I picked out the cabinetry for the snack bar, the sink, and the backsplash tile. I'm super excited about the way this is all looking and my vision is starting to come together.


 Here are some updated pics:

Snack Bar, waiting to be grouted.

 

 

 

 Painting is done and the inset is a shade darker than the rest of the walls. Loving that. (you can see the entrance to the hobbit hole on the right)

 Bathroom is so close to being done...just needs a door and the trimwork.

 

 

 

Oh...and the grouting on the backsplash and towel bars need to be put up yet.

Project: Finish Basement

Just a quick update:

Jason laid the floor in the bathroom and it looks fabulous! So excited to see the rest of it!

Project: Finish Basement - Update

Things they are a changin' in the basement! It is so exciting to see things moving forward.

We have been wanting to get this basement done for the past year and a half...but life was just a tad too busy with 5 little ones in the house. And frankly, when Daddy works all day, we all just want to see him when he gets home from work and we just weren't too willing to lose out on our time with him. Not only that, but I didn't want Jason to miss Hattie's babyhood. Those days are just to precious and they go by way too fast.

Now that the kids are a little older and a little more independent, we have been able to get more done on the basement and it has been "full steam ahead" since Dad and Mom moved in with us.

Here are some updated pics:

The bathroom...all sheetrocked. 

The bedroom/school room closet...makes such a difference when the framing gets covered all up. Things are really taking shape.

Wall separating bedroom from family room.

The Hobbit Hole.

The fireplace all installed. Jason is super happy with how it turned out.

Project: Finish Basement

We have embarked on a very long journey: A journey that involves permits with the city, lots of plaster and sheetrock, multitudes of visits to Menards, and many, many, many man-hours.

After 5.5 years of living in this house, we are finishing our basement. When we moved in, the basement was only roughed in...and now it is getting a breath of air breathed into it.

Since Mom and Dad are hear right now, not only do we need the space...but my Dad has proven to be an excellent helper in the building/finishing process. Okay...I can not tell a lie...he's invaluable. Him and Jason are making an excellent team.

Here are pictures from the first phase of the build-out. Walls were put up and insulation was put in. The sheetrockers (yes, we hired that out) had spent the first day putting sheetrock on the ceilings. I was amazed at what a difference that made, not only in sound levels, but also in appearance.

This is the wall that will separate the bedroom/school room from the family room.

 

This is from the other direction showing where the corner fireplace will go as well as the under-the-stairs play area for the kids which has now been named "the hobbit hole".