For the fifth consecutive year, Milwaukee/NARI and M Magazine allowed consumers to select their favorite renovation in a particular category.  In 2007, consumers were able to select from seven entries in the Lower Level category on www.milwaukeenari.com.

The M Magazine’s “Reader’s Choice” Award was presented to Pekel Construction & Remodeling, Inc.

We hope you enjoy reviewing the seven projects that were part of the Reader's Choice program, and we extend congratulations to the Pekel Construction & Remodeling staff on this award.

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Bartelt Filo Design Build

Before	Before	After	After

The owners of this home, situated on Potters Lake, wanted to remodel their existing lower level to create an entertaining space that would have more character and style for weekend get-togethers with family and friends on the lake. The space had been renovated in the past, but no longer appealed to their style and had a great deal of wasted space

The main goal of the project was to create a living and entertaining space that did not feel like a basement. The homeowners wanted to have more natural lighting, as well as a gas fireplace, and an entertaining-style bar. A wall of shelving that was floor to ceiling and occupied a width of four feet was removed and the storage space was expanded to create a more functional area that would be a place for card games and shooting darts.

The designers created the atmosphere desired by the homeowner by playing off of their travels to the wine country of Santa Barbara, Victoria Island in Vancouver, and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. A picture of a wine storage rack surrounded by natural stone and lighting became the theme of their entire basement. From arches leading into the bar room, to the wrought iron window coming down the stairs, to the barreled ceiling that led to the game room, the homeowners would feel like they were in wine country. The use of natural stone and archways conjures up images of the rolling vineyards and rustic villas from the heart of the most alluring wine regions in the country.

Urban Herriges & Sons, Inc.

Before	Before	After	After

When the homeowners built their house 10 years ago, they chose not to make the lower level into a walkout basement. They realized with the addition of a walkout basement, their vision of expanding the use and beauty of their home was possible. The new area needed to incorporate a home theater/game room, bar area with gas fireplace, bath, and space for a large air hockey table.

The existing basement wall had to be removed, while the first floor structure was shored up with temporary walls. Extensive engineering was required to rebuild this wall and add the cantilevered deck, plus the stairs leading to the lower level were rebuilt. New windows and doors allowed for natural lighting to fill each of the remodeled spaces and lead directly to the in-ground swimming pool outside.

The media room includes space for a 60” wide screen TV, flanked by cabinets. The game room includes space for a table to seat six comfortably, as well as two tall cabinets for game storage. The wet bar, which includes an under counter refrigerator and microwave, has a round design, which allows for its central location. The use of an artfully chosen color scheme and “scene lighting” enhances the room’s warmth and style.

JDJ Builders, Inc.

Before	Before	After	After

The homeowner desired a space that had warmth and character, but not a “showplace” where their four children wouldn’t enjoy spending time. They envisioned a space that would be conducive to day-to-day family usage. The spatial requirements were a kitchenette, media area, built-in desk/computer area, play area, a bathroom, and a craft area.

During the first visit, it was obvious an overabundance of steel columns complicated the design, but allowed for some unique design concepts. All but one steel post was incorporated into walls or within one of seven drywall barrel arches. The barrel arches allowed for visual separation between the spaces, but added the character the homeowner thought may not be possible for their space.

Black, distressed cabinetry was used for the entertainment center, desk, and bathroom, with complimentary off white cabinetry in the kitchenette. Opening the staircase on two sides with an open handrail eliminated the tunnel feel the homeowners experienced in walking down the stairs, and created a more open feel at the foot of the staircase.

The space beneath the staircase was turned into a recessed niche with built-in toy box and sitting area in the children’s play area, which provided additional storage and counter space at the desk area that is opposite the niche. Two barrel arches highlight the entrance to the craft area.

S.J. Janis Company, Inc.

Before	Before	After	After

The owners of this newer home needed a larger entertainment space for their many relatives and adult children. This space was designed to incorporate a large TV viewing area, a bar, pool table, and game table area.

First and foremost, the two existing furnaces and water heater needed to be relocated, along with the floor drain, to provide space for the desired plan. The bar was placed close to existing plumbing.

Merillat oak cabinetry, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances created an elegant bar for up to six people. Recessed lighting and directional track lighting, along with lights inside the glass cabinets provide a nice, bright work area.

Adjacent to the main bar’s wall is a full bathroom with a large walk-in shower, ceramic tile, and built-in storage niches and oak vanity for guests and the homeowner.  Kohler faucets and accessories were used in the bathroom.

The main body of the lower level contains the TV viewing and pool table areas. In the middle of this space is a direct-vent three-sided fireplace, which becomes the focal point of the lower level and opens up all of the sides. A total of four flat-screen TVs are incorporated into the space. The stairs were opened at the bottom with railings on each side that match the ones that are at the stairs that service the home’s second floor.

The end result of this project is an entertaining space for the family, which can be used for various activities and enables them to have more people at their gatherings.

The OAR Group

Before	Before	After	After

The goal of this Elm Grove basement remodel was to create a warm, cozy space for entertaining that the whole family can enjoy. The transformation from a cold, concrete basement to a fully functional rec room includes a full bathroom, wet bar with dishwasher, entertainment area, game area, and work out room.

By using a warm fall color palette, the walls are soft shades of tan and brown. Rustic alder wood cabinetry in the bar and brown and copper glass mosaic tile backsplash add to the warm ambiance. An inviting entrance to the rec room was created with double archways that enclose sliding glass pocket doors. Multiple storage areas and niches add to the unique architectural characteristics of this new space. The renovation also features a unique dog washing station in the unfinished area of the basement for the homeowners to bathe their dogs.

Pekel Construction & Remodeling, Inc.

Before	Before	After	After

Built in 1920, this Craftsman Style house, although modest, boasts a great deal of style and character that you would come to expect from this period. Over the years of ownership, the unfinished basement became home to an additional bathroom, a laundry room, and a very ample office area for the owner’s business, leaving about a third of the remaining area as an unfinished and unorganized storage and mechanical space.

The original plan was to install a few walls to hide the furnace, and water heater, close off and organize an area for seasonal storage, and provide easy access to the gas and water meters. This would create a nice-sized family room that could handle the kids, some comfortable furniture, another TV, and it would be fairly inexpensive to finish off. After further discussion, it was decided to have an area with a small refrigerator, sink, and microwave.

After the homeowner purchased a new TV, it became necessary to install speakers into the walls and ceiling where possible. A custom base cabinet and wall ensemble was designed to house the new 60-inch TV, complete with leaded glass doors, period hardware, inlays, and crown molding, just like the other built-ins in the house.

Several Ernst Batchelder mosaic tiles were incorporated into the kitchenette area. Even though the tiles were difficult to work with, because of their inconsistent and random sizes, they were successfully turned into a beautiful kitchen floor. The room’s lighting is designed to eliminate the need for floor lamps and to provide illumination for the owner’s artwork.

To complete the look, all of the hinged passage doors have oil rubbed bronze, ball tipped hinges, crystal knobs, and bronze back plates. The switch and outlet covers are hammered copper to match the sink and the cabinet pull hardware.

RNT Builders

Before	Before	After	After

The owners of this early 1950s home wanted to remodel their basement while staying within budget. Their main goals were to expand their use of living space, create a separate office area, an entertainment area, and another full bathroom, and they wanted it to look like an extension of the upstairs.

As the height of the ceiling was only seven feet and there were exposed beams, heating ducts, and electric, the most difficult aspect of the remodel was removing and rerouting all of the existing heating ducts and electric. After removing and replacing the plumbing pipes, water lines, heating ducts, air condition line and electrical conduit, the walls were framed up and beams boxed out to give a clean, smooth finish and help them blend in.

Once the drywall was completed, the tiled shower and tiled bathroom floor, white raised panel interior doors, cabinets, countertops, and a fully lined cedar closet were installed. Polished chrome fixtures were added, and carpeting was installed.