The StoryIt was a perfectly sized space, conveniently located at the bottom of the stairs, just off of the family room.
But what should be there? That question had been a source of conversation between DLD and the developer during the design process when the spec house was first being developed. How about a custom-built media center, or a wall-paneled game room, or maybe a bar or a kitchenette? They all would work and add a unique element to the house, but in the end, it was a project the developer chose not to pursue. "Let's leave it for the future homeowners to decide," the developer said, So the 12'x12' space was finished - with painted walls, ceiling, and a carpeted floor - but it was not really done.. |
Homeowner Review
David is a talented designer who created a beautiful bar for my house. He is a good listener, understands the importance of budgets, and brings a contemporary design aesthetic to a project.
< Paul H. >
Minneapolis
The Project
DESCRIPTION Basement kitchenette
Fast forward a year. Our phone rings.
It was the new homeowner.
He had gotten our contact information from the construction drawings for the house. He wanted to do a project in that unfinished corner at the bottom of the stairs.
Really?
It was the new homeowner.
He had gotten our contact information from the construction drawings for the house. He wanted to do a project in that unfinished corner at the bottom of the stairs.
Really?
An ideal entertainment center, this basement kitchenette can handle large gatherings or serve as an ideal location for a catered party.
"Hi,” he said. “Did you design my house?”
”Yeah? Ok, great. Would you be interested in designing a bar kitchenette in the basement?"
”Yes,” we said, “most definitely.”
It's not often that a project comes back around, where there's an opportunity to complete or even improve what was first done.
But that was now our fortune. We were thrilled to be back on board.
A Bar? Well, More Like a Kitchen, Kind Of
What had been a wonderful new construction project got even better when learned that the homeowner wanted to build a contemporary bar - kind of like a kitchen, actually - with stone countertops, high-end appliances, and beautiful tile and custom cabinets in the basement.
It's a unique project in that it is not fully a kitchen [there's only a beverage fridge, drawer microwave, ice maker, and dishwasher, but no oven], and it's more than a simple bar as it accommodates food preparation or a catering service.
For the homeowner, who is a huge Vikings fan and entertains large groups of sports-loving fans, the perfect project was a full bar/kitchenette that would serve as the ideal place for friends to gather, eat and drink!
”Yeah? Ok, great. Would you be interested in designing a bar kitchenette in the basement?"
”Yes,” we said, “most definitely.”
It's not often that a project comes back around, where there's an opportunity to complete or even improve what was first done.
But that was now our fortune. We were thrilled to be back on board.
A Bar? Well, More Like a Kitchen, Kind Of
What had been a wonderful new construction project got even better when learned that the homeowner wanted to build a contemporary bar - kind of like a kitchen, actually - with stone countertops, high-end appliances, and beautiful tile and custom cabinets in the basement.
It's a unique project in that it is not fully a kitchen [there's only a beverage fridge, drawer microwave, ice maker, and dishwasher, but no oven], and it's more than a simple bar as it accommodates food preparation or a catering service.
For the homeowner, who is a huge Vikings fan and entertains large groups of sports-loving fans, the perfect project was a full bar/kitchenette that would serve as the ideal place for friends to gather, eat and drink!
Near the stairs and a window, the basement kitchenette was ideally situated to take advantage of the convenient circulation and natural light, two important factors increasing the odds this is a well used space.
As huge Vikings fans ourselves, we could not have been happier to create a hardworking, elegant basement bar kitchenette that allowed the homeowner to bring friends and family together.
> See the rest of the house
Now this home fulfills not only its ultimate design vision, but also serves as a place to gather and celebrate the success of the Purple.
Skol!
A One, and a Two, and a ...
Like most kitchens, this basement bar kitchenette was all about the materials. Making the right selections is critical to a project's success, especially a kitchen, so how does that work?
To make sure we get the selections right, we follow a plan, or more accurately, a selection sequence, that ensures we make the right selections in the right order.
> Learn more about interior design
For kitchens and bathrooms, material selections follow a simple cadence - one, two, three. First countertops and tile, then plumbing fixtures, and, finally, hardware and accessories.
So, why countertops and tile first?
Simple, they have the greatest impact on the look, color, and mood of a room, and, much like the foundation, they are critical to the stability of a house. Selecting the right countertops (and corresponding tile) is critical to the aesthetic stability of a space.
> See the rest of the house
Now this home fulfills not only its ultimate design vision, but also serves as a place to gather and celebrate the success of the Purple.
Skol!
A One, and a Two, and a ...
Like most kitchens, this basement bar kitchenette was all about the materials. Making the right selections is critical to a project's success, especially a kitchen, so how does that work?
To make sure we get the selections right, we follow a plan, or more accurately, a selection sequence, that ensures we make the right selections in the right order.
> Learn more about interior design
For kitchens and bathrooms, material selections follow a simple cadence - one, two, three. First countertops and tile, then plumbing fixtures, and, finally, hardware and accessories.
So, why countertops and tile first?
Simple, they have the greatest impact on the look, color, and mood of a room, and, much like the foundation, they are critical to the stability of a house. Selecting the right countertops (and corresponding tile) is critical to the aesthetic stability of a space.
Warm walnut paired nicely with creamy quartzite
In our three step process, the selection of countertops is intricately linked to the selection of tile. Yes, we begin with the countertops, but tile selection is only a half step behind. The two materials work in tandem given their proximity to each other ( often they actually touch each other).
Another consideration is selection flexibility. There are literally hundreds of thousands of tile options, making it easier to find the right tile to match the chosen countertops than it is to find countertops to match a specific tile.
To the cool and creamy quartzite countertop, we added a dark, rich counterpart - walnut. The elevated countertop, the one where friends sit and upon which drinks are set is warm and welcoming.
A Bit More About This Tile
Finding the right tile was hard.
The homeowner wanted blue, we knew this much to start, but what size, shape, or type? During the design process, it was clear that the look of this kitchen was clean and sleek.
What better way to play off of this aesthetic than with a custom, handmade tile
Another consideration is selection flexibility. There are literally hundreds of thousands of tile options, making it easier to find the right tile to match the chosen countertops than it is to find countertops to match a specific tile.
To the cool and creamy quartzite countertop, we added a dark, rich counterpart - walnut. The elevated countertop, the one where friends sit and upon which drinks are set is warm and welcoming.
A Bit More About This Tile
Finding the right tile was hard.
The homeowner wanted blue, we knew this much to start, but what size, shape, or type? During the design process, it was clear that the look of this kitchen was clean and sleek.
What better way to play off of this aesthetic than with a custom, handmade tile
The chevron pattern peeking through is an unexpected and charming detail
Working with a local tile showroom we had custom samples made by the tile manufacturer in Portland of various blues with various textures and patterns.
In the end, the rich cobalt blue color with the subtle chevron pattern won out. It was both modern and classic, clean and artisanal. Laid up in a stacked bond pattern with bright white grout that gave it a contemporary feel, it was a perfect blend of familiar and new.
In the end, the rich cobalt blue color with the subtle chevron pattern won out. It was both modern and classic, clean and artisanal. Laid up in a stacked bond pattern with bright white grout that gave it a contemporary feel, it was a perfect blend of familiar and new.
The azure backsplash unites cream and brass
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Chamfered and sleek, brass hardware pulls it all together
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Last, But Not Least
And last on the selection list?
Hardware is often overlooked or purchased in a panic at the end of a project when the cabinet maker is asking what to install. Take your time making a hardware selection as it is the one item in the kitchen you will interact with most every time.
Make sure you like how it looks from a distance, up close, in your hand. It can be sleek, slim, hefty, or curvy, but whatever it's profile, it's worth the same time and attention that other more prominent selections receive.
Hardware and accessories are small details, often overlooked, given that they are installed at the very end of a long process. But we tell our clients, when their inclination is to "just pick something" that the design process is a 100 meter race.
Don't' stop running at the 95 meter mark.
And last on the selection list?
Hardware is often overlooked or purchased in a panic at the end of a project when the cabinet maker is asking what to install. Take your time making a hardware selection as it is the one item in the kitchen you will interact with most every time.
Make sure you like how it looks from a distance, up close, in your hand. It can be sleek, slim, hefty, or curvy, but whatever it's profile, it's worth the same time and attention that other more prominent selections receive.
Hardware and accessories are small details, often overlooked, given that they are installed at the very end of a long process. But we tell our clients, when their inclination is to "just pick something" that the design process is a 100 meter race.
Don't' stop running at the 95 meter mark.
