THE PROPOSED SOLUTION
Designer Sarita Simpson recommends one flooring material — the existing concrete — throughout to give the basement a more unified look and suggests affordable but stylish materials to finish the bar. She adds toy storage and creates reading and craft areas for the kids, as well as a dining space near the bar.
SIMPSON'S SUGGESTIONS
Paint the walls a soothing neutral, such as Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore. Try Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy for a sophisticated accent color. Create a built-in workspace in the awkward area between the two support columns, with prefabricated laminate countertops. Float shelves in the space above to hold books and school supplies. Cafe tables with chairs and storage benches (obscured by bar stools) can double as extra space for entertaining and a kids’ craft station. Remove the short section of the bar wall closest to the dining area to allow easy access and save on countertop material costs. Scale matters. Go with one larger piece of art or a grouping of smaller pieces over the sofa to fill the space above such a large piece of furniture appropriately. Break up the long far wall by adding upholstered wall hangings as a decorative accent. Use large beanbag chairs and a task lamp to create a cozy nook for the kids to curl up with a book.
Simpson, with Sarita Simpson Design (703-338-9857, saritasimpsondesign.com), is based in the District.
SPLURGE OR SAVE
SPLURGE: Remy dining chairs with Terrace Pewter fabric and polished-steel frame ($895 each, mgbwhome.com), left. SAVE: Azalea gray mink chairs in Lindley beige ($329 each, cb2.com).
SPLURGE: Aspect coffee 47½ -inch sliding-door bench with cushion ($469.95, crateandbarrel.com), left. SAVE: Besta TV unit in black-brown ($89, ikea.com).
SHOPPING GUIDE
Furniture: Odyssey white dining tables ($199 each, cb2.com); Parsons print 30-inch bar stools in Watercolor Cabana Navy ($109.99 each) and extra-large structured beanbag chairs with removable cover in Zig Zag Gray ($44.99 each), both from target.com; Bjursta extendible table in brown-black ($189), Besta storage combination with doors in black-brown ($465) and Kvistbro storage table ($59.99), all from ikea.com; Alsager mid-back desk chairs with white upholstery ($109.99 each, allmodern.com).
Accessories: Upholstered 39-inch wall panels in gray microsuede ($189 each, overstock.com); Eden white pendant light ($69.95, cb2.com); Metro wall swing-arm lamps ($55.99 each, target.com); Euro Gillette two-light chrome LED floor lamp ($129.99, lampsplus.com).
Materials: Barkaboda 74-by-1½ -inch countertop in walnut ($229) and Saljan 98-by-1½ -inch countertops in white stone effect ($69 each), both from ikea.com; stainless-steel drop-in bar sink ($47.80) and General Electric 5.6-cubic-foot built-in/free-standing compact refrigerator with freezer in stainless steel ($379.99), both from lowes.com; 18-inch built-in dishwasher in stainless steel ($385.08, homedepot.com).
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