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Moody Basement Renovation Progress: Transforming a Pale Gray Basement into an Elegant NYC Lounge

New York Club House Meets Underground Chic Bar Aesthetics: URBAN, CHIC, MOODY, MODERN, TEXTURED

Hello again!


This week, we're diving into the progress of our home renovation project: the basement transformation. #projectmanay. Those who follow me, know that I am knee-deep in the implementation of the #projectmanay. And I love it. We're turning a once pale gray basement into a moody, elegant NYC lounge. We are close to the finish line.

From wall paint color selections to furniture links, and how to display music entruments, this blog post has it all!

Here is a snapshot of, where we started and our 3D designs.

Let's dive in.

 

The Brief and Vision

What was the brief?

My client initially JUST wanted a home office update. The scope was only to refresh walls and add some furniture and décor.


I always start with the alignment inspiration, color palette, the design aesthetics. Once we are aligned on that, then I kick off the detailed design sourcing and 3D rendering. This way we eliminate disconnections, back and forth on the design process and clients are feeling more comfortable & collaborating during the design process.


And I saw the potential for a complete basement overhaul. Almost like the ultimate entertainment lounge. Once I completed the home office design, I pitched a full renovation with some inspiration and she was all in! I felt so happy seeing the design vision that inspired them to invest in their home.

Home office design, mural, dark colors, seating, gold and brass details, home office design
DnC: Project Manay Basement Office Inspiration New York City Lounge Aesthetics
Play room, music room, lounge style, moody, home renovation, basement entartainment room
DnC: Project Manay Basement Entertainment Lounge Inspiration New York City Bar Aesthetics
 

Design Elements and Color Palette:

Brief: "I want a NYC Skyline Mural"

The client's only wish was a New York skyline mural wallpaper.


And murals are not a favorite design element, as it can go be the main focal point, and take over the whole space. I wanted to create a cohesive style, so I started to envision what would NYC vibe should be in a home office. So I worked on Soho House / Club House aesthetics. The textured walls, deep camel leathers, brass details, aged wood, and more!


A Space for Everyone

The room in the basement is designed to be a home office for her husband and a study area for their older son. It needed to maintain a masculine yet chic urban city vibe, pleasing both her and the whole family. And their guests of course... This became our starting point, and we built the design around it, incorporating their love for music, elegant multi-game tables, and bar-style banquette seating. It is like you transition from work to fun smoothly. From one room to another.


Integrating Family Memories is KEY!

They already had a drum set, guitar and speaker, and a ping pong table in the room. I wanted to integrate them into de design. I decided to research music lounge details. So, I collected an inspiration Pinterest Board: HERE

As we are renovating the basement and transforming it into the ultimate entertainment lounge; design-wise the transition from one room to another needed to be seamless, while each has a unique feel as well.


Below are the design boards that collected furniture, colors, fixtures, decors, and window treatments all together to create a cohesive story.



 
Basement Renovation
Dark Moody Gray Basement: Wall Color Selection

What are the Paint Colors Selected?

To lean into the cozy, moody space, we painted the ceilings black.

Both my client and I couldn't be happier with the result. We also repainted the moldings, frames, and doors.


Here are the selected paint colors:

- Sherwin Williams Iron Ore for the ceiling

- Sherwin Williams Black Fox for the panels

- Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray for the walls

- Limewash Walls in Seed Pod from Bauwerk Limewash


We also re-did the floors with an LVP finish, adding a warm base, yes thank you for noticing. :)

 

Entertainment Lounge: NYC Music Lounge Aesthetics

How to Display the Musical Instruments as Art.

Once I decided to display the guitars to bring a lounge & bar feel to the room, I went deep into the inspiration board collection (Inspiration Pinterest Board Here).


After long reflections and research, I decided to display the guitars on the wall with elevated brass sconces, enhanced by extra art light sconces for a luxurious ambiance. We are still waiting for the new guitars to arrive, yes they are buying more! And one of them, especially, is so so COOL! I can't wait to see it on the wall.


The second thing I wanted to do is to create a fun vignette like a bar space: The Drum Corner which has a "LIVE MUSIC" neon sign for an extra cool effect.


We added Broadway letter lights from Etsy, which was a hit with the client. For seating, we chose a banquette sofa from West Elm (still to be delivered), which will be delivered this week. We also opted for an all-in-one game table with walnut details from Crate and Barrel.

Selected items:

 

How Did We Manage to Balance Function and Beauty in Office Selections?

Home Office: Elevated Soho House Club Vibe

Function Meets Beauty

The home office features leather chairs, brass pendants, and limewash walls for extra texture. A sleek, height-adjustable black study desk with extra storage adds functionality.


Textured Roman Shades and Wall Panels

To add texture, we designed relaxed Roman shades with rich, subtle patterned fabric from Share Store. We also added wall panels to elevate the room's aesthetic.


Some other details:

The NYC skyline mural from Milton & King adds depth, while plush, curvy leather chairs from West Elm (still to be delivered) and teardrop brass pendants create a luxurious feel.

  

A neutral rug with geometric patterns blends into the space, providing a light base against the darker wall hues. Drapes with subtle gray lines connect the color palette and add a lighter contrast.

 



 

Final Steps and Future Plans

 We're planning to finish the space in the next 2-3 weeks and have a photo shoot in early July. I'm so excited to share the final look of my first moody, basement renovation project. Yey!

 

Stay tuned for more updates in early July.

PS: If you have any MOODY-style projects for me, especially a moody bathroom project, I am all ears!


Love,

BurJu

*This blog post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from me, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.


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