New Life for a Basement Family Room

• They paint the walls with a thin layer of red paint to freshen it up and give it a more vibrant look.

• The unsightly window wells are hidden behind homemade plywood shutters with the shape of a fir tree cut out of the center.

• The fireplace is painted with a textured, taupe-colored paint to blend with the limestone rocks. The mantel is made more prominent with a box made out of decorative trim. The box sits directly on top of the existing mantel and is secured to the wall with two L-brackets hidden underneath. They cut a bear out of metal flashing and secure it to a fireplace screen with wire.

• The sofa is slipcoverd with mix-and-match prints in red, black and cream. In front of the sofa, they add an area rug made from a carpet remnant. The edges are finished with cotton trim.

• They paint the homeowner's coffee table black and turn the top into a hinged lid for additional storage. Two tree stumps are used for stools.

• They transform the homeowner's existing video storage cabinet into an entertainment center. A section of the back is cut out to allow for the TV and cords. Decorative trim is attached to the sides to add depth.

• Next to one chair they add a tiered display stand made out of an old door and a coffee table cut in half.

• Two wall sconces made from tin pails flank the fireplace.

• Finishing touches include a throw made out of faux fur and plaid fabric, birdhouses and a checkers game on the coffee table.

Steps:

1. Gently remove the tabletop and set aside.
   
2. If the table has drawers, remove them and cut off the fronts.
   
3. Add a piece of plywood to the bottom of the table.
   
4. Reattach the tabletop with hinges and nail the drawer fronts back in place.
   
5. Paint black and lightly sand the edges for a rustic look.

Steps:

1. Cut a coffee table in two with one half larger than the other.
   
2. Construct a small window box.
   
3. Stack the smaller table half on top of the larger piece and secure to an old door.
   
4. Attach the window box to the door above the smaller table half. Paint the entire piece black and attach to a wall.
   
5. Fill the window box with silk or dried flowers.

$22.97 - paint (walls: Ralph Lauren - Thoroughbred Hunting Coat Red TH43; trim: Ralph Lauren - Magistrate, Black TH72)
$45.04 - shutter
$61.60 - fireplace (paint: Behr Sandwash, Stone Taupe, SND31)
$95.10 - slipcover (polar fleece - Hancock Fabrics)
$42.56 - rug (trim for bear claws, leather scraps - fabric outlet; rug - Cheney Carpet)
$31.48 - game table
$29.48 - entertainment center
$6.38 - seat covers
$46.55 - slipcover for chair (Ben Franklin)
$5.99 - pillow fabric
$14.61 - sconces (tin bucket, candles - craft outlet)
$44.82 - tiered table (silk flowers - craft outlet)
$20 - throw
$27.24 - birdhouses (floral supply)

$503.71 - Total Cost