INTERIOR DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM PASSION
In many renovations the clients have a sense of the style or look they would like to achieve, but sometimes the design process can be inspired and led by a passion or hobby. When our clients decided to develop their previously unfinished basement, we were able to draw inspiration from their love of skiing and mountain life.
FUNCTION FIRST, AND THEN FORM
The main goals for developing the basement were to add extra storage space, a bar and games area, and a bathroom. The space would provide the Dalton’s adult sons with a private area to hang out, but also a place where the whole family could enjoy and have games nights, or entertain guests. Once we determined what their utilitarian needs were, we moved to the conceptual design process.
A CUSTOM POOL TABLE TO SET THE TONE AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC MURAL TO EMBRACE THE INSPIRATION
A uniquely felted blue pool table determined the accent colour – the brilliant blue of a winter sky. Living at the edge of Calgary near Canada Olympic Park, the Daltons have a love of winter sports and one of their sons is an avid skier. To showcase this passion, we installed a floor to ceiling mural across two walls of a majestic mountain range. It was a dramatic and unique design move that completely transformed the space and led the design process. We further accentuated this bold look with a canvas diptych in the bar area that gives the appearance of looking out the window onto a pristine alpine setting.
BRINGING NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE MOUNTAINS TO THE HOME
Keeping with the alpine theme, we chose light, natural wood colours highlighted with dark counters and cabinetry to give the space a nordic ski lodge feel. For the flooring we selected a luxury vinyl plank with a lifelike wood grain. With the snowcapped mountains in the murals, it was important to balance the stark interior with elements of warmth and coziness, and vinyl plank provides this feeling since it is warmer and softer on the feet than other flooring materials. An added bonus is vinyl flooring’s durability and noise-dampening effects.
In the bar area rich dark stained maple cabinets warmly accent the light wood colour of the flooring. The cabinetry was customized for the space, providing effective storage for all the bar essentials. Clean, minimalistic cabinet hardware crafted by marathon hardware completes the look. The countertops are engineered quartz, a high-quality, non-porous and durable material made from ground quartz and resin. Engineered quartz pairs nicely with the Daltons love of nature, as it is non-allergenic, non-toxic and environmentally friendly – the natural materials used to manufacture engineered quartz are abundantly available and because of its natural resistance to damage there’s rarely a need to replace. The other benefit of engineered quartz is the variety of textures and colours available. For the counters, we selected a style that perfectly emulates pietra grey marble, a clean, natural look that enhances the Nordic ski lodge feel.
The custom waterfall counter in the bar area is the same material and provides a com-fortable place to enjoy drinks with guests or to come together as a family to play board games or cards, while also adding to the appeal and natural flow of the room. Bar stools in brilliant blue maintain the accent colour and give the space a sense of harmony. The smoked mirror backsplash in the bar area adds light reflection and opens the area up.
WARMTH AND ESSENCE OF A NORDIC SKI LODGE
We continued the nordic ski lodge feel into the bathroom, using the same dark stained maple for the cabinets and pietra grey marble style engineered quartz for the counters. A concrete vessel sink adds to the natural mountainous feel of the room. In the shower, bright white modern tiles are stunningly contrasted with a brilliant blue in the full width shampoo niche. Besides giving a welcome pop of colour, the bright blue tiling also ties into the accent colour throughout the basement, adding a cohesiveness to the overall space. Similar to the concrete sink, natural pebble flooring in the shower lends the space a natural outdoorsy feel and also helps to massage your feet!
A PLACE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO COME TOGETHER A BRING THE ROOM TO LIFE
The final result is a basement that is appealing for both the parents and their sons. To stand in this room is to be transported the edge of an untamable wilderness. The breathtaking mural provides a stunning backdrop for all the family memories that will be created here, and all the tales of alpine adventures that are sure to be told in this stylishly developed space that so clearly reflects the personality of the our clients. See-ing this room come to life with careful planning and selections was a true pleasure.