An inside look at a terrace-level remodel, complete with media room, entertainment room, and playroom.

1. An Amazing Retreat

2. Note:The repetitive use of structural columns becomes an architectural feature.The placement of theTV suspended
between two columns creates a dramatic design.
The before picture shows the solid wall that outlined the futureGuest Bedroom in the original plan.We wanted the
room with the most windows to be a public space.We made this room the Media Room.
A view of the Media
Room toward the
Entertainment Room

3. A Guest Bedroom
becomes a Media Room.
Note:This picture shows off the hardwood floors, which are 4” planks of white oak over plywood. It would
certainly have been easier to install carpet or tile on the slab floor, but we wanted wood in this project to add
warmth to theTerrace Level.

4. A unique semi-
circular bar with a
brushed pewter
countertop elevated
to 42” AFF.
Note: the pewter develops a natural patina as it is used, which makes upkeep very easy.The natural stone
quartzite countertop is just below, at 36”AFF. It provides 11.5’ of working space.
The before picture illustrates that the existing framing was open into what was originally planned to be the
Entertainment Room. Instead, we created a Guest Suite in that space.

5. Wood is a dominant
feature in this project.
We wanted to use different
types of wood in this project.
The task was how to combine
them and still have a cohesive
design.We accomplished that
using pecan bar cabinets, a
mahoganyWine Cellar, a
walnut bar base, and white oak
flooring.
Our client’s family owns a farm inWestVirginia. She wanted wood from the farm to live in her home. Her father
sent wood samples and we decided that walnut fit best. He milled the wood in various sizes for the curved base.
Note:The picture shows that we installed the narrowest piece in the center. On either side of the center, each
piece of walnut gradually gets wider.

6. This photo of the Entertainment Room gives an overall view of the new stair, theWine
Cellar, the bar, and the art side of the suspended wall.
Note:The curved wall at the bottom of the stairs creates a path that flows into the Entertainment space.
The colonnade reinforces
our column theme.

7. This stair leads one from a
very traditional upstairs to
a more transitional space
with industrial design
influences.
The stair has glass and metal features instead of balusters and a simple, yet bold curved handrail.
Note:The glass rests in a slot on the top of the stringer.The top glass panel is inserted into metal slots in the ceiling
and the side wall.The metal pieces add structure and reinforce the industrial look.

8. Before During
The original “hall” is now open, however, the lighting playfully
reminds one that, in fact, this is still a path.
Note:The thicker & wider treads add a design element.
The before picture shows wing walls that created a hallway.The
during picture shows those walls replaced with structural columns.
The existing stairway was changed for
both comfort and design.

9. The Playroom is a stimulating space for the
young, but can be easily adapted to teenagers.
For example, the multi-colored carpet tiles are
laid over our new hardwood floor.
Note:The before picture shows existing ductwork to upstairs
that threatened to sabotage our trey ceiling.We added another
level of soffitt and extended it until it was centered.The two
elevated spaces gave us an opportunity to play with lighting.

10. The Nanny/Guest
Bathroom was finished
in tones of grey and
charcoal, from the vanity
to the shower and the
accent band of glass tile.
Note: Because of budget considerations, we decided to keep the frameless glass a standard size. However,
we did not want a sheetrock header with a small piece of tile trim. Instead, we built a wall in line with the
curb and covered it with tile.The result is another bold feature that we really like.

11. Note:The before picture shows a bicycle in the closet under the
existing stair.The original Storage Room is behind the closet
where one can see the old wine rack.This is where theWine
Cellar was installed.The back of the closet was extended into the
new Mechanical Room.
A view of the Wine Cellar from the bar.

12. Note:The "DuringConstruction" picture above shows the stair
stringer before the soffitt was built around it.We had just built the
matching soffitt on the right to cover the ductwork.
The mahogany Wine Cellar fits uniquely under
the new stairway.

13. The Dutch Door
The colonnade ends at this
fun door, which is both
aesthetically pleasing and
functional.
Note:The hardware was
designed to allow our clients
to open the door to view
their child at play and yet
feel secure in his safety.