Interior Designer Wannabees...Come On In...

[Anguschick1]

I have a hallway down to our basement that I want to paint and I want your input...The kitchen that is off of it is a bright orange/yellow mottled paint. Kind of like a tuscan sunset.

Here are the pictures http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...=8IYtmTlq1cuTg

Also - what would you do w/the basement if it was yours? It has low ceilings (like 7 or 7.5 feet high) and looks dingey.

Come on - let me hear your opinions...I know you have them!

[ItyBty]

Well - First off - what do you use the room for? Looks like it's half "man-cave" and half kiddie room.

It looks kinda dark down there, (could be the pics) but I'd use that to my advantage. I'd turn it into a bit of an "olde" pub/cottage. Budget with no limits? I'd ditch the drop ceiling for a few extra inches of height, and replace the flourescent fixtures with something brighter and homey-er. Lesser budget? Look into replacing the tiles there with the ones that look like a neat pressed tin, and use copper colored paint to give the effect or a copper ceiling. (I used some similar to these in my bathroom painted a warm brown, they came out looking like lembossed leather) Paint the walls a nice buttery warm yellow, deep and rich, but not too dark. (Or maybe a warm mossy green, but yellow would be brighter and lighter.) I'd also do a tiny bit of faux finishing, make the walls look really rich. Use 2 or 3 similar shades of yellow and mush it all together on the wall for that aged look.

Ideally I'd cover the wainscot with beadboard that I could stain a nice honey-brown. But on a tighter budget I'd paint the existing wainscotting a warm milk-chocolatey brown, and faux it to look either like leather or wood. Whats under the carpet? It doesn't look too bad, maybe rent a shampoo-er while the room is emptied out for re-doing?

I'd leave the fireplace alone, for the most part. Maybe paint out the upper part to blend into the wall, and definately add a nice chunky mantel with room for pictures, etc.

Toy storage can be a pita - I'd build some nice deep shelves across from the fireplace (opposite side of the room) with room for the bigger chunkier toys underneath.

Phew - Can you tell I'm a Trading Spaces addict?

[Starr]

Well it does look awfully dark down there. I would add more lighting. Use floor lamps, wall sconces, whatever to get more light. Because the ceiling is low I have heard that if you paint the ceiling and wall color the same the room wont seem as squished down, also would conceal the tile better. Since its dark I would go for a neutral color thats not to dark, maybe like a creamy light brown. Also could paint all your wood work white to really lighten and soften it up. Also "could" paint your fire place, but thats a little too permanent for me. I would spend most of your money on storage issues. Mayeb make a corner for the kids and really get nice decent shelves, baskets, bins, whatever so that everything has a place. In general less cluttered can make a big difference.

[magpie mamma]

my two cents

I would add a warm color to the walls. It all looks pretty neutral and safe now. Also, I would try to define the two areas, if you want them open; pool table to toys, use some area rugs to add color and bring the eye to the floor rather than the ceiling. I am guessing the ceiling is such because you have several runs of ducts, do you have forced air heating and cooling. And there is probably a structural beam in there too, since there is a metal post. It is hard to do too much with this. Storage/shelving can define spaces and provide function. Do you use the fold down table? If not, remove it, but it could make a great craft/work table, in which case, maybe leave it up and create an area that is ready to go.

[Warda_Rose]

No helpful suggestions but I wish my basement was half as nice

[starlein26]

I love your basement! It's got huge potential! Is that a working fireplace? I would set up the couches that are sitting against the wall in a nice seating arrangement around the fireplace...like one facing the other on either side of the fireplace. Then I would turn the table vertically and put it at the end of those couches (since I assume the couches are for viewing the playing right)? I see you have a table and some chairs...you could set up a card table on the other side of the basement...I mean I have tons of ideas...I would love to come over and decorate it...
Oh and as far as color for the hallway...some type of deeper yellow would work well with what you're describing in the kitchen...good luck!

[Greenie]

I would paint the hall a rich golden yellow. I love that color. And, I'd find a big cast iron (or huichol beaded) sun/moon/eclipse and hang it so that you can see it from the kitchen.

The basement? Rugs, a bright robin's egg blue trim with a baby blue wall, def. some lamps, and a big comfy couch. Whitewash the fire place, get a white screen, and fill the fireplace with huge blue and small white candles. I would also get some sort of screen to divide the adults area from the play area.. And a big beautiful framed mirror over the fireplace. With a midnight blue frame.

There you go. My vision of your home!

[Greenie]

Originally Posted by starlein26

I love your basement! It's got huge potential! Is that a working fireplace? I would set up the couches that are sitting against the wall in a nice seating arrangement around the fireplace...

That's what I envision too. But, I also envision dark blue slipcovers. Dark blue hides spills.