Turning a Bleak Basement into a Family-Friendly Wellness-Ready Retreat
Basement Renovation
The owners of this 1912 Craftsman in the Vilas neighborhood loved everything about their house—except for the basement. Dim, cramped, and still clad in asbestos-laden floor tiles, the lower level felt more like a dungeon than usable space.
They turned to TDS Design Build to transform it into something worthy of daily life: a welcoming guest suite, a family lounge, a spa-caliber bath, a streamlined laundry, and smart storage—all without stealing headroom or efficiency. Low ceilings, aging utilities, and a maze of a floor plan meant every inch had to work hard. We also worked with salvaged materials and ensured that reused elements felt intentional, not like compromises. Every part of the project demanded coordination, sequencing, and craftsmanship.
Custom cabinetry and built-ins were designed specifically for each zone, blending storage with style. The family room and bar featured integrated AV wiring and floating maple shelving, while the laundry area combined function with clean, modern finishes. Behind the scenes, we coordinated HVAC and electrical improvements to support comfort, lighting, and everyday use.
The use of bold black finishes, integrated lighting, and natural textures gave the lower level its own vibe — moody, grounded, and totally personalized. Paired with the custom sauna, it became both a retreat and a functional extension of the home.
Before
The basement was a patchwork of vinyl tiles, exposed joists, and makeshift walls. Low ceilings and tiny windows starved the space of light and headroom, while the narrow, red stairs and scattered radiators underscored its origins as a utility room. Storage was scarce, and every mechanical run competed for precious inches.
After
Thoughtful re-framing and new spray foam insulation quieted the space and raised comfort. A glass-walled sauna, tiled shower, and bespoke bar now anchor a moody lounge wrapped in dark paint and warm wood tones. Custom oak treads and thin brick veneer transform the once-cramped stair into a material statement that invites exploration.
Today, the lower level functions like a mini retreat: friends enjoy movie nights, guests (like visiting grandparents) unwind in hotel-level privacy, and the owners recharge in a sauna steps from the TV room. We also added a functional and durable laundry room that makes doing laundry, dare we say it, enjoyable.
Everything feels seamless, with the historic character upstairs, and nothing like the unfinished space it once was.
Key Project Details
01. A Second Chance at the Right Experience
After working with another firm on a full-house remodel, Kon and Jenny came to TDS with a new vision — and a desire for a smoother, more thoughtful process. This time, they wanted a partner they could trust to deliver with care and precision.
02. Reimagining What a Basement Could Be
They weren’t just looking for a finished basement — they wanted a fully integrated lower level that served real purpose: a welcoming guest suite, a wellness zone with a sauna, a comfortable family hangout, and a hardworking laundry space.
03. Design That Serves Daily Life
TDS collaborated closely with Kon and Jenny to reconfigure the layout and make every zone intentional. The result was a basement that didn’t feel like a basement — with custom cabinetry, warm finishes, smart storage, and clean mechanicals throughout.
04. Balancing Complexity with Craftsmanship
The project packed a lot into a tight footprint. Coordinating systems, ceiling heights, and framing required thoughtful sequencing and skilled execution — especially in tight corners like the stairwell, which became a design feature in its own right.
05. A Space with Its Own Identity
The use of bold black finishes, integrated lighting, and natural textures gave the lower level its own vibe — moody, grounded, and totally personalized. Paired with the custom sauna, it became both a retreat and a functional extension of the home.
06. Why It Worked
This was a great fit for TDS: a thoughtful, design-forward project with engaged homeowners and clear goals. It reflects what we do best — helping older homes adapt beautifully to modern life, while delivering an experience that earns trust along the way.
We packed a lot of unique design features into a tight footprint—from the brick-clad stair to the glass-walled sauna—and every detail had to earn its keep. Watching this basement morph into a high-end, truly useful extension of the home is what makes the design-build process so rewarding.
Kevin Hayes–Birchler
Project Manager
Step into luxury
The journey downstairs now begins with floating oak treads edged in steel and cable railing. The original brick masonry was preserved, lending historical charm to the cozy new space. Integrated lighting and a widened landing erase the old “basement” feel, inviting guests to explore.
Movie nights & craft cocktails
A camel-hued leather sectional anchors movie nights, oriented toward a wall-mounted 85-inch display and built-in cabinetry finished in graphite lacquer. Acoustic insulation, dimmable can lights, and concealed surround-sound wiring create an immersive yet uncluttered environment. The result is a flexible family hub that seamlessly transitions from kids’ cartoons to late-night cocktail conversations.
Löyly* Luxury: A Steam-Lined Spa Escape
A frameless glass partition unites an oversized, matte-black shower with a cedar-lined Finnleo sauna, turning routine into ritual. Large-format porcelain tiles, recessed niches, and a low-profile drain keep lines clean, while the sauna’s tiered benching invites deep relaxation. Moisture control, ventilation, and hidden LED strips were all meticulously integrated so every steamy session feels effortless and safe.
*Löyly is the surge of steam and heat created when water is thrown onto sauna stones, regarded in Finnish culture as the essential, spirit-like essence of an authentic sauna experience.
A mini bar with maximum impact
Set into a formerly unused recess, the bar pairs floating maple shelves with hand-painted thin-brick backsplash and a beverage fridge. Undercabinet LEDs spotlight spirits, and a quartz counter offers prep space without intruding on the lounge. Concealed wiring keeps audio gear and networking hardware out of sight yet fully accessible.
Light above, comfort below
Four new Marvin awning windows tuck high on the wall, capturing treetop views while preserving privacy. Their low-e glass and tight seals, paired with closed-cell insulation, stabilize temperatures year-round, making the basement as comfortable as any main-floor room and reducing the home’s overall energy load.
Timeless Craft, Modern Comfort
TDS Design Build approaches every century-old home with respect for its past and a clear eye on future livability. By balancing smart mechanical upgrades with artisanal finishes, the team delivered a lower level that expands daily life, boosts efficiency, and protects the home’s vintage character for decades to come.
This thoughtful, design-forward project reflects what we do best — helping older homes adapt beautifully to modern life, while delivering an experience that earns trust along the way.
Are You Ready to Remodel?
Let’s craft a space that enhances the way you live—connect with TDS Design Build today and start the conversation.
