Chain-Hung Pendants Add Dramatic Focal Point to Basement Renovation
With month after month spent at home during the pandemic, many people found this the perfect time to tackle long-awaited renovation projects. The target for Ashley, a principal with Heirloomed Storytelling, was the unfinished basement of her Atlanta home.
“We built our home about five years ago and left the basement unfinished until now,” Ashley says. “It was the perfect Covid project to add some additional, functional space to our home as our kids are growing.”
Ashley’s vision for the space was a clean farmhouse look with hints of vintage and rustic design and décor. She wanted the space to flow seamlessly with the rest of her home but still be functional for guests and provide a place where her kids could be feel comfortable having friends over to play.
White shiplap walls are contrasted by a porcelain tile floor in a herringbone pattern while the narrow wood ceiling is inspired by large Southern porch ceilings.
“I wanted the simplicity and utilitarian nature of the space to be apparent in the details and craftsmanship you’d find in an old home,” Ashley explains, “from the walls and ceiling to the plumbing and lighting.”
One of the first elements Ashley envisioned for the space was large ceiling pendants over the island. Ashley chose the Wilcox Uplight Chain Hung Pendant to be the focal point. She customized these hand-spun lights wtih 18″ shades, a powder coat White finish, and grey cloth cords.
“I wanted something oversized to be a simple, but powerful statement in the room,” she notes. “I love the simplicity of the shape, the details, and the cord. These lights completely make the space in my eyes.”
To choose the best size, Ashley first had to determine how large of an island the room could accommodate. She measured on the concrete floor to envision where the lights would be centered and marked different sizes until settling on the 18″ shade. Choosing the finish color was easier.
“White was what I wanted from the start. Basements have a reputation for being dark and dingy, so I always wanted a space that was bright and white,” she says. “I did want the subtle color of the light grey cord to give a little depth and separation between the lines of the ceiling and fixtures. And I just adore the old-school nature of a cloth cord.”
On the nearby tiled wall, Ashley added a Dominion Wall Sconce over the farmhouse sink. She customized this American-made wall light with a 12″ shade and a porcelain enamel White finish.
“I wanted to keep the backsplash clean and let the statement tile speak for itself, but I always love how charming a little light can be over a kitchen sink,” Ashley explains. “This little guy has the perfect amount of personality that doesn’t compete with the Wilcox lights but instead, complements them perfectly. It doesn’t call attention to itself but once you notice it, it’s full of detail.”
Ashley’s renovated basement now offers a bright, inviting atmosphere for both family and friends. To see more of this project, be sure to check back on February 15th when we share how Ashley’s special touch transformed the two basement bathrooms!
Photos courtesy of the homeowner
