Couple Transforms 100-12 months-Previous Dwelling's Storm Shelter Basement Into '70s Den'

[ad_1] A Wisconsin-based couple has remodeled their unfinished basement storm shelter right into a retro Nineteen Seventies-style lounge after a 12 months of extreme climate left them spending extra time underground than anticipated.

The viral renovation was shared on Reddit by Maria, who posted underneath the username u/IntentionLeather7806, with the title: "Turning our unfinished basement storm shelter into a comfy 70s den." The submit, which options a number of photographs of the retro transformation, has gained 24,000 upvotes because it was shared on September 8.

Within the caption, Maria wrote: "We had a whole lot of storms this 12 months, together with softball-sized hail and a lightning strike to our home. So, we have been spending far more time within the basement than we anticipated. It additionally turned our canine's protected area every time he is anxious, which is loads lately."

Photos of a basement storm shelter earlier than (left) and after (proper) it was remodeled right into a Nineteen Seventies-inspired den. Photos of a basement storm shelter earlier than (left) and after (proper) it was remodeled right into a Nineteen Seventies-inspired den. u/IntentionLeather7806 Maria, 32, a local weather scientist, informed Newsweek that she and her husband Mike, additionally 32, accomplished the work in lower than every week.

"We renovated the basement, which I loosely name 'storm shelter,' two weeks in the past. It took about 4 days. The basement had stayed dry and undamaged all through the storms, however our home was struck by lightning in March, and in April we had softball-sized hail that destroyed our roof, siding, just a few home windows, and our automotive," stated Maria, who didn't share her final identify.

Their house, inbuilt 1925, just lately turned 100 years previous. Maria defined that the basement challenge turned an opportunity to experiment with a distinct look. "We went for the Sixties/Nineteen Seventies theme simply because it is one thing totally different from the remainder of our home, which is generally craftsman model," she informed Newsweek.

The challenge comes amid a surge in house renovation spending within the U.S. Median prices for renovation rose 60 % between 2020 and 2023, from $15,000 to $24,000, in accordance with a 2024 survey by Houzz, a house design platform.

Reddit Put up ]]> The caption of the viral Reddit submit added that the choice to renovate got here out of necessity. "We determined if we have been going to spend a lot time down there, we should always make a part of it much less miserable."

Maria stated most of the furnishings got here from "the classic odds and ends we have been hanging onto" and random items that the couple already owned, such because the lamps, espresso desk, and chair.

"I might say my favorites are the rugs, music setup, and paneled fridge," Maria informed Newsweek. "For music, now we have a Kenwood KR-6600 receiver, Pioneer PL-512 turntable, and two giant Onkyo S-58 audio system. Undoubtedly going to get a disco ball and throw a enjoyable social gathering down there."

The couple additionally managed to maintain the renovation budget-friendly. "We completed the renovation a couple of week in the past...it was only a fast and low cost—just a few hundred {dollars} in supplies for ground paint and panels—approach to make use of objects we already had in the home to make a extra cozy, semi-finished really feel to the basement. We're very proud of the way it turned out," Maria stated.

One standout design aspect is the flooring. Maria defined: "The rugs are leftover scraps of carpet from a job my husband did. They have been custom-designed and made by an artist in Amsterdam named Arno Hoogland."

The submit notes that the couple remained conscious of the dangers of renovating a basement in an older house. "I do know it is not really useful to 'end' a century house basement, and we saved this in thoughts—no drywall, left gaps for airflow, dehumidifier operating. Fortunately, our basement has very excessive ceilings and stayed dry too," Maria wrote.

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