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“Acres of Basement”

April 10, 2024

Nestled in the center of the coastal town of Westport surrounded by towering pines off a private road sits the most beautiful and inviting character home. With darker floors throughout and traditional millwork details, the homeowners were looking for a refresh of a few spaces as well as a complete gut and transformation of their over 1300 square foot basement.

Project Details

interiors // GLDESIGN

lead designer // MACKENZIE PRETTY

location // WESTPORT, CT

builder // POLCER HOME LLC

photography // FRANCES V. ISAAC PHOTOGRAPHY

Let’s start from the bottom and go up from there. This home’s spacious basement was riddled with outdated trends like travertine flooring, off white beveled trim and loads of primary bold colors on the walls. I remember the day when hot pink was everywhere but… it was time for us to neutralize the space!

LOUNGE BEFORE
GAMEROOM BEFORE

By applying a fresh coat of Whitecaps to the walls and trim and replacing the dated carpet with “white oak” engineered flooring, we were able to update the space in no time. Add in soft furnishings within the same tone et voila… jump right into this now sophisticated cozy lounge.

From a design standpoint, we tackled the basement in three parts. First, the lounge area (can we take a moment for the U-shape sectional covered in family – and pet – friendly perennial fabric?) followed by the wet bar and then finally the game room (aka sport court). Included in the lounge, we vertically paneled a card table area adorned with a striking pendant from Chloe Winston Lighting for that perfect additional entertainment. We also added a lit-up niche above the sectional for ease of charging phones across from a 10 ft. custom-built cabinet designed by our team and John June Cabinetry. The 85″ tv and surround sound system was the cherry on top!

The bar was a simple refresh but whoah the transformation!  Quick updates like a splash of Sandy Kisses paint on the wall, adding white oak open shelving and a hardware swap makes a big difference and is very budget friendly.

BAR BEFORE

As we move into the game room let’s give a special shout out to our team coach and lead designer Mackenzie Pretty!  It may not be regulation size but this hoop is EVERYTHING and more for this family of two sporty boys.  Hang out by the bar with Michael Jordan to watch the game or grab a nerf gun and run wild!

Speaking of boys, let’s climb the stairs to the bedroom suite and talk through a few very special spaces. As you enter, first we stumble upon the guest room which we updated with a few key pieces to create this soft palette welcoming for all. The round edges of the bed, the patterned floral rug and the adjoining pink tile en-suite bath makes this guest getaway a true stunner.

The boy’s rooms were so much fun to design.  We collaborated closely with each of them asking which were their favorite colors, hobbies and collectibles.  As we selected materials for their beds, rugs and art we kept their preferences top of mind and couldn’t contain our excitement when it came to install day!  Turns out they both loved blue so we adorned the stikwood ceiling space with La Mer, and the striped room with Newburyport Blue by Benjamin Moore®.

And last but certainly not least, we loved transforming the first floor powder room which in our opinion set the tone for all the levels of this project.  Fun, whimsical, clean, fresh and updated!

POWDER ROOM BEFORE

xo, gaelle


Get the Look

WILLY WHITE PEDESTAL DINING TABLE // SHOP

WOVEN NEUTRAL LEATHER DINING CHAIR // SHOP

ELLIOT PENDANT // SHOP

TWIGGY NATURAL HANDWOVEN RUG // SHOP

SHADY LADY FAUX TREE 84″ // SHOP

MASSEY BIN PULL // SHOP

BALL CABINET KNOB // SHOP

BEAU COUNTER STOOL // SHOP

GIANT METAL WALL CONNECT FOUR // SHOP

MINI BASKETBALL HOOP // SHOP

SHERPA IVORY GROOVY SWIVEL CHAIR // SHOP

PENN TASK LAMP // SHOP

FANIMATION MATTE/GREIGE CEILING FAN // SHOP

VISCOSE GRID LIGHT BLUE AREA RUG // SHOP

PELHAM MOON LIGHT // SHOP

GRANADA WALLAPER // SHOP

MALTA GREY HANDWOVEN RUG // SHOP

ARTIFICIAL FICUS TREE // SHOP

BUNGALOW BED // SHOP

ATELIER NIGHTSTAND // SHOP

VERNON UPHOLSTERED BARREL CHAIR // SHOP

OVERSIZE ARCH-CROWNED TOP FULL LENGTH MIRROR // SHOP

PLYMOUTH CERAMIC TABLE LAMP // SHOP

RATTAN BUBBLE FLUSHMOUNT // SHOP

PORTOLA DOUBLE SCONCE // SHOP

HAND-TUFTED AVERY RUG // SHOP

MENDOCINO PILLOW COVER // SHOP

TAHOMA PILLOW COVER // SHOP

EUROPEAN FLAX LINEN DUVER COVER & SHAMS // SHOP

EUROPEAN FLAX LINEN SHEET SET // SHOP

ROUND BRAIDED TRAY WITH HANDLES // SHOP

EDGE BRASS ROUNDED MIRROR // SHOP

PUDDLE MIRROR // SHOP

ARTERIORS PADMA COASTAL RATTAN SCONCE // SHOP

WATERHOUSE CROSS HANDLE WIDESPREAD BATHROOM FAUCET // SHOP

ADORRA MIRROR // SHOP

“Suite Retreat”
“Upscale Lounge”

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I started working right out of college and haven’t stopped… many jobs, many promotions, many travels, two maternity leaves, lay offs and career switches, I find myself still pondering “what’s my career goal” sometimes. With age comes wisdom and I must say that now more than ever before, my goal is to slow down. Not slow my growth, just take in every success, every baby step, every failure more intentionally. Ask myself, is this potential client or project good for me right now? Feel confident to say no to a dinner or outing that doesn’t fill my cup. Spend every possible second with my family. Go for walks and hold hands. Spend time at the gym caring for my body and cherishing my friendships. Book the ticket. Take the trip. I know it may sound silly, but these are my goals. So long as my life goals stay my number one priority then my career goals are met with ease and success (I’m pretty sure it used to be reversed)!

What’s your goal this year? 🫶🏻
When the nook goes from alarming to darling 🙌🏻 Happy #transformationtuesday !

@fvi_photo 
@polcerhome
Today wasn’t your typical Monday… It started w Today wasn’t your typical Monday… It started with an injury, a fire drill at work and a lot of heavy sh*t. Here’s the thing, it’s not always peachy but it’s important to keep perspective. It’s late in the day and this IG algorithm is gonna probably fire back but it didn’t feel right to post until now. 

When I stress or am in pain, I write. I found writing late in life. I was never a “journal girl”  and I think it’s because the control freak in me wouldn’t allow myself to write with no structure or limits. And now, I let it all out and gosh, this community has made it so welcoming to do so 🫶🏻

Tomorrow, in your inboxes (pls tell me you’ve subscribed!) I’m sharing the surprise of Sophomore year drop off… and why I was surprised it wasn’t easier.  Harder? Maybe. Easier? That too.  But again, perspective is everything and it’s all gonna be alright. I see you, mamas 🫶🏻
Bon weekend, mes amis ☀️ Remember these totes Bon weekend, mes amis ☀️

Remember these totes? We may have something up our sleeve for Fall… stay tuned!
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