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What do you with a massive, unfinished basement and family gatherings that usually consist of 50 to 60 people? If you're Elisa and Ken you look at adding a kid-friendly entertainment space with a washroom and den. Unfortunately for the couple, the quotes they were getting were way over budget. So they called in designer Sabrina Smelko and contractor Sebastian Clovis for a little help. Here's how this Save My Reno duo saved the homeowners thousands of dollars while still giving them a gorgeous finished project the whole family can enjoy.
Save My Reno
A Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their Dreams
May 16, 2017
What do you with a massive, unfinished basement and family gatherings that usually consist of 50 to 60 people? If you're Elisa and Ken you look at adding a kid-friendly entertainment space with a washroom and den. Unfortunately for the couple, the quotes they were getting were way over budget. So they called in designer Sabrina Smelko and contractor Sebastian Clovis for a little help. Here's how this Save My Reno duo saved the homeowners thousands of dollars while still giving them a gorgeous finished project the whole family can enjoy.
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Before: A Blank Canvas
1/10Before: A Blank Canvas
1/10Usually when Sabrina and Sebastian step inside a reno job they're faced with that pesky little problem of demo. Not this time. The duo had a blank canvas to work with when they walked into this large basement area that had absolutely zero finishings.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsBefore: A Blank Canvas
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -Usually when Sabrina and Sebastian step inside a reno job they're faced with that pesky little problem of demo. Not this time. The duo had a blank canvas to work with when they walked into this large basement area that had absolutely zero finishings. -
Before: In Need of Some TLC
2/10Before: In Need of Some TLC
2/10Not even the ceiling was done in this space when the <em>Save My Reno</em> team walked in. And while that may make this area a designer's dream, it did mean a lot more elbow grease for Sebastian and his new protege, Ken.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsBefore: In Need of Some TLC
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -Not even the ceiling was done in this space when the <em>Save My Reno</em> team walked in. And while that may make this area a designer's dream, it did mean a lot more elbow grease for Sebastian and his new protege, Ken. -
After: An Adult Space
3/10After: An Adult Space
3/10By the end of the renovation this little corner had all the finishing touches of a grown-up living room. Sabrina saved the homeowners hundreds on this velvet sectional, which is perfect for any potential spills the kiddies may have. An area rug helps define the space and give it a cozy look, while the shiplap feature wall matches the gorgeous new laminate below. Meanwhile the picture wall adds a personalized touch, and a large potted plant helps liven up the look.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: An Adult Space
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -By the end of the renovation this little corner had all the finishing touches of a grown-up living room. Sabrina saved the homeowners hundreds on this velvet sectional, which is perfect for any potential spills the kiddies may have. An area rug helps define the space and give it a cozy look, while the shiplap feature wall matches the gorgeous new laminate below. Meanwhile the picture wall adds a personalized touch, and a large potted plant helps liven up the look. -
After: New Floors
4/10After: New Floors
4/10While these homeowners loved the look of hardwood, adding that type of flooring didn't make sense in the basement thanks to water and moisture, which would make the planks shift. So they opted for this gorgeous laminate instead. It has the look of hardwood, allows any water underneath to dry naturally, and cost a heck of a lot less. Now those are savings we can get behind.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: New Floors
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -While these homeowners loved the look of hardwood, adding that type of flooring didn't make sense in the basement thanks to water and moisture, which would make the planks shift. So they opted for this gorgeous laminate instead. It has the look of hardwood, allows any water underneath to dry naturally, and cost a heck of a lot less. Now those are savings we can get behind. -
After: A Kid's Space
5/10After: A Kid's Space
5/10In the other corner Sabrina and Sebastian crafted this crafty kids' corner where the children and their friends can unleash their creativity. To help foster that Sabrina painted on a simple chalkboard wall, while she and Elisa constructed the DIY shelf with a paper roll by the mural: two big additions at very little cost.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: A Kid's Space
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -In the other corner Sabrina and Sebastian crafted this crafty kids' corner where the children and their friends can unleash their creativity. To help foster that Sabrina painted on a simple chalkboard wall, while she and Elisa constructed the DIY shelf with a paper roll by the mural: two big additions at very little cost. -
After: A Gorgeous Mural
6/10After: A Gorgeous Mural
6/10We can't stop staring at this gorgeous mural that Sabrina commissioned; it reminds us of Neverland and adds a really unique and vibrant feel to the space.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: A Gorgeous Mural
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -We can't stop staring at this gorgeous mural that Sabrina commissioned; it reminds us of Neverland and adds a really unique and vibrant feel to the space. -
After: A Reading Nook
7/10After: A Reading Nook
7/10We all know the crawlspace under the stairs is perfect for a kids' play area, but Sabrina and Sebastian elevated this one by making it a comfy little reading nook. Sure, it was uncomfortable for Sebastian and Ken to get in there to frame the space, but we'd say it was worth it in the end.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: A Reading Nook
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -We all know the crawlspace under the stairs is perfect for a kids' play area, but Sabrina and Sebastian elevated this one by making it a comfy little reading nook. Sure, it was uncomfortable for Sebastian and Ken to get in there to frame the space, but we'd say it was worth it in the end. -
After: Bonus Textiles
8/10After: Bonus Textiles
8/10This isn't just any reading nook, mind you. It's a super comfy one thanks to the extra blankets, pillows, and the added padding below (and on the ceiling!). Of course it's also fitted with lighting, which makes it functional day or night. Lucky kids!Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: Bonus Textiles
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -This isn't just any reading nook, mind you. It's a super comfy one thanks to the extra blankets, pillows, and the added padding below (and on the ceiling!). Of course it's also fitted with lighting, which makes it functional day or night. Lucky kids! -
After: An Extra Washroom
9/10After: An Extra Washroom
9/10Simple finishings, like this vanity and the tiling, helped to keep the overall costs down. Sabrina was also able to source the hardware for this vanity and shower at a mere ten bucks, another small saving that adds up big when you're considering the overall budget.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: An Extra Washroom
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -Simple finishings, like this vanity and the tiling, helped to keep the overall costs down. Sabrina was also able to source the hardware for this vanity and shower at a mere ten bucks, another small saving that adds up big when you're considering the overall budget. -
After: A Large Shower
10/10After: A Large Shower
10/10Because Ken and Elisa always have so many guests popping by, Sabrina and Sebastian were sure to also give them a nice new shower. The glass doors help to keep the space open and bright, while the hexagonal tiling below ties into the brick tiling finish above. With a whole new washroom, a kids' play area and an adult living space, this is one impressive basement redesign on a budget.Save My RenoA Family of Four Gets the Basement Makeover of Their DreamsAfter: A Large Shower
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -Because Ken and Elisa always have so many guests popping by, Sabrina and Sebastian were sure to also give them a nice new shower. The glass doors help to keep the space open and bright, while the hexagonal tiling below ties into the brick tiling finish above. With a whole new washroom, a kids' play area and an adult living space, this is one impressive basement redesign on a budget.
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