101: practical

Tonight's episode of Sarah101 was another very practical solution for the client (2 weeks in a row!). Sarah re-did a family's basement.

Sarah used kitchen cabinetry for storage solutions in the basement. She paired lower and tall upper cabinets to make full height cabinetry. What a great storage solution for this family with two little boys!

They used a large Ikea sectional for the main area, with a wooden coffee table, media unit, end table, and console table. The tables were all the same tone of wood but not the same style. She added pop to the room with a variety of reds - from pinky red to orangey red. She had a butt-ugly, dirty, powder blue old chair refinished in a red and white fabric that really looked great at the end.  She also did full length curtains at the window - she was right when she said it would add heigh to the room. It made it feel like a main floor room instead of a basement.

Finally, my favourite feature (if not just for the pure practicality of it)...
Sarah put a set of cupboards in the back area of the basement. This area houses all of the boys' toys and is their playroom. She then (drum roll please) put a curtain rod in front of the playarea, with full length curtains that can be drawn to hide mess. I really liked this solution because it is just so real. I'm thankful that they didn't pop in there and create a spic and span space that makes you wonder just how long it will stay that way once they let the family in (3 minutes, 5 minutes?). Her solution this week is something liveable and a great mix of design elements and user-friendly reality.