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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 This home’s spacious basement was riddled with outdated trends like travertine flooring, off white beveled trim and loads of primary bold colors on the walls.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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It’s been so busy that we never got to share the It’s been so busy that we never got to share these two magical children’s rooms from our #waterfrontmodern project! Although we’re not completely done with this project, we are in looooove with the custom millwork and finishes designed by us and executed by @polcerhome and @johnjune_custom_cabinetry drenched in our A La Plage paint colors. Huge thanks to our extra special intern Hayden and his bud for helping us with the install and our very own junior designer Meghan on her vision! Way to go team!! More to come soon on this one!

TGIF 🩷💙
The fireworks, the lights, the talent, the inclusi The fireworks, the lights, the talent, the inclusivity, the sweat, the tears, the dancing… and the time spent with my boys. I guess it just doesn’t get any better than these experiences. It just doesn’t. TY #coldplayboston for the night of our lives 🔥
I remember waking up in an ambulance… sirens rin I remember waking up in an ambulance… sirens ringing and not knowing what was next for me. The smell and stickiness of blood all over. I had been hit by a car crossing a street, thrown 40 ft across an intersection and somehow survived. After a harrowing healing process and years of PTSD, I can move my body and am grateful for this privilege every single day. It is with this privilege that I live life to my fullest, hug my kids daily, work hard, play hard and most importantly love with a full heart. I don’t have to go to the gym, I get to go the gym. I don’t have to go to that person’s birthday party, I get to go and make them smile 🫶🏻

We can do hard things, friends. We are lucky to do them, get through them and survive them. It’s all about perspective. Swipe for a few of mine 🫶🏻
When the box becomes a home… that’s what it’ When the box becomes a home… that’s what it’s all about and it’s what we do best. Hiring a designer means hiring a partner in all things that make you happy. We transform your dreams into reality and are your advocate throughout the design-construction journey! Ready to embark? Check out this before + after for a little magic 🫶🏻 #kitchenbonanzaproject

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