HOME REMODELING
THE ULTIMATE BASEMENT PUB RENOVATION
MICHAEL NASH DESIGN BUILD'S AWARD-WINNING RENOVATION MAKES A "MAN CAVE" DREAM COME TRUE
“When we work on a project with this much specificity, we look to combine elements so there is continuity throughout,” says Sonny Nazemian, master designer/remodeler, Michael Nash.
LET’S FACE IT: ONE OF OUR “MANLY” BUCKET-LIST ITEMS IS A MAN CAVE BASEMENT PROJECT. We all want a place to disappear to that we design and that represents our personality and feels comfortable. For one lucky man in Fairfax, he got his wish and worked with Michael Nash Design Build to create his own vision of a basement getaway.
“As eight-year empty nesters, my wife and I decided that it was time to upgrade our 12 year-old builder-grade finished basement to a space we could be proud of and that would become a focal point for entertaining,” says the homeowner. “I told the design team that I wanted a pub room with class, describing my wishes as ‘Irish pub meets Ritz Carlton lounge’.”
With his Irish heritage, he envisioned a pub feel for a portion of the basement with a lot of seating for entertaining. To accomplish a new bar area, new plumbing and electrical was added by digging into the concrete slab. Dark cherry cabinets and exquisite rain forest quartzite countertop and a hammered copper sink all contribute to the “Cheers” bar set up. Copper ceiling panels, a tray ceiling, embedded LED lighting and leather stools and brass foot rails only add to the ambience of this basement centerpiece. Wide plank porcelain wood grain floor tiles keep in line with the feel of an old Country pub. Modern conveniences include a new dishwasher, ice maker and microwave.
“When we work on a project with this much specificity, we look to combine elements so there is continuity throughout,” says Sonny Nazemian, master designer/remodeler, Michael Nash. “The bar area is the centerpiece, but the rest of the basement needs to keep the same design elements in keeping with the theme.”
Opposite of the bar space, a partition wall was removed to create more open space and one full wall and several middle columns were covered with rustic stone veneers. Within one large fieldstone wall, a new gas fireplace was added to create a homey feel for this separate seating area. Floor to ceiling shelving units flank the stone wall. A large television was mounted above the fireplace.
“We also added a new archway to define the foyer area with inlaid stone to match the adjacent stone wall,” says Sonny. “This design element both adds consistency to the natural feel and creates separation between the foyer and it’s built in bench and coat rack and the new banquette area…like you’d see in the entry of a bar.”
The final touch is the new bathroom which was expanded from the old bathroom and an adjacent unused space. A tumbled marble walk-in shower with river-stone flooring was added as well as a distressed ebony vanity with a custom-made hammered copper sink.
“Having space that we can enjoy alone or use for entertaining has transformed how we use our home,” says the homeowner. “We had a vision that was perfectly executed and now we have the perfect spot to get away in our own home.”