Basement [another update]

We are enjoying our "new" basement space so much.

We knew when we tackled the project that it wouldn't be easy.

From dank and moldy,

dark and creepy,

dirty and cluttered,

to...

light and airy,

clean and dry,

Before and after:

 This is the basement view from the bottom of the stairs looking straight ahead and to the right.

The biggest difference [besides the mold scrubbed from the walls] are the new windows. Before they were covered with cardboard because they were broken or missing. Can we say classy?

Jeff put in the new windows and also added moulding. The top, faux crown moulding covers an uneven ledger board. The base moulding makes the room feel very finished and I love how it looks.

Another before:

We used this space for storage, but never used it for playing. Besides being very dark because of no windows and poor lighting, it was cold and damp. We [being Jeff] repaired the major leaks with better outside drainage and Damtite on the inside walls. It still felt damp and objects on the floor drew moisture. I had given up hope for ever turning this into a usable space until one of many internet searches produced a product called Dricore. 

I did a lot of research and the product seemed to be the answer to all our problems. It protected against small leaks, provided insulation, and added a subfloor that accepts carpet and pad. 

This is the Dricore product after installation and before the carpet

The Dricore subfloor is a genius solution and I can't say enough good about it! The temperature in the basement rose about 5 degrees and the floor feels solid and warm.

Before and now:

We use this space all the time! The kids enjoy playing down there. 

Friends and cousins have a place to run and play.

We are basically done, with just a few details to finish. 

Recover the couch, paint the stairs and stairwell walls, and figure out a shelving unit for toys.

This is just lots of fun and I wanted to wait until every last detail was done before the BIG reveal. For now, this is the new functional and fantastic space at our house. Come over and play any time!