Owners of a single-family home in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Marie-Jo Dupuis and Jean-François Lizée had undertaken to develop their basement without too much rush, but the pandemic accelerated their project. “I worked in Montreal and had to organize a home office to stay there full time. This is what made us decide to finalize the work, ”says Lizée.
The accountant then contacted one of his clients, Sabrina Cavaiola, knowing that she was in the construction business. The young couple wanted her to create a family room including a bar, a children’s corner, an office, a workout room, then a bathroom – the fittings of which were already planned. All over an area of approximately 960 sq. Ft.2.
Before
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAVAIOLA DESIGN
The old play corner has become the office.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAVAIOLA DESIGN
The old living area has been replaced by the play area.
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The interior designer came up with plans keeping the existing walls, but rearranging the spaces to better match each activity. Thus, the room where the old office was located became the gym, because it was a less lighted place, while the table football area, which was brighter, was transformed into an office.
It is not always necessary to knock down or add partitions. What is needed is to define the usefulness of each part.
Sabrina Cavaiola, designer
“You can also separate without partitioning with a low wall, wooden slats, simply to visually determine the zones, but here, I suggested installing a complete partition and a glass door because there was a need for good sound insulation between the office and the family room; I chose them in glass to let in the light, the existing windows being small ”, explains the founder of Cavaiola Design.
Maximize light and heat
Brightness is one of the essential points in the development of a basement and in addition to the glass partition, the designer has installed recessed lights. “Usually, you put them 24″ from the wall, then leave between 48 “and 60” between each one. I also created zones with dimmers to adjust the intensity of the light according to the activities, ”she continues.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Designer Sabrina Cavaiola (left) has fitted out the basement for Jean-François Lizée and Marie-Jo Dupuis.
Another important aspect to optimize the comfort of this underground space and avoid humidity problems: the floor. The original concrete slab was covered with Schluter heating equipment under large porcelain slabs. According to the designer, this heating element is efficient and practical, because it allows to regulate the temperature by room: for example, the office and the family room can be controlled independently. “It’s really good, especially for the children when they are playing on the floor. ”
Ensure a common thread
On the decorative side, Sabrina Cavaiola recommends respecting the style of the other levels so that the basement blends harmoniously with the rest of the house. “I think the most important thing is to really feel at home, so you shouldn’t distort the place to make it inviting. The choices here are quite modern, but timeless, neither too feminine nor too masculine, and the materials are strong and easy to maintain to simplify daily life with the children. In this monochromatic and soft ambiance, touches of wood tone in each room bring life and warmth, while accents of black or anthracite form an attractive contrast.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The floor of the training room is covered with a rubber coating suitable for sport. Bright and textured, the wall clad in barn wood recalls decorative elements found on the upper levels of the house.
In the training room, large mirrors on the wall seem to increase the space tenfold, while in the office, the glossy ceiling plays the trompe-l’oeil. “It reflects light, which gives an impression of height. I chose it dark, as did the downlights, and painted the walls white to make it different; it’s the other way around in the gym, ”says M.me Cavaiola. The uniformity of the floor tiles also provides a feeling of space.
Furnish wisely
The family room has three activity zones. First, the living room with a corner sofa of perfect proportions, because it furnishes the space well without cluttering it too much. The designer took advantage of the glass partition separating this space from the office to install a screen that you just need to unroll to show films, the projector being fixed above the sofa. The addition of a sheer curtain reinforces the privacy of each of the two rooms without obstructing natural light.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
You just have to unroll the canvas to show films in the living room.
Second, the bar area, which gives adults the opportunity to have a drink and chat at the counter while being with the children playing in the third area. Marked by a colorful carpet, it includes table football, lockers and a large wardrobe where games are stored. These well-designed and easily accessible storage units keep the place perfectly tidy.
In the office, the ergonomics of the workstation are respected (computer screens and keyboard at the right height) and the white storage units with a clean look accentuate the brightness of the room. Welcome, a light wood finish shelf on which owners can display a few books and photos allows you to personalize the place. Finally, the designer put a TV on a wall in the office so that adults can listen to their shows while the kids watch a movie in the living room without disturbing each other.