4th and Ocean Project: Basement and Laundry Reveal
- Lindsey Borchard
- Jan 27, 2023
- 2 min read
By adding the kitchen and family room to the back of this Santa Monica home, we were able to include a basement entertaining space and home gym. The main level of this home leans a little bit formal, which is perfect for the family who loves to entertain, but the basement is definitely made for fun and relaxation with family, or for game or movie viewing time with friends.
In case you missed it: Living & Dining Rooms, Kitchen & Family Room, Primary Suite
Photography by Amy Bartlam
The Basement
It's hard to believe, but none of this space even existed before this renovation, and it's the biggest add-on, in my opinion. We added a huge entertainment area, a bathroom, a bar area, and even a gym in this space! The powder bath is located at the bottom of the stairs, so we used a playful patterned tile with a black vanity and brass accents to set the tone that this is a fun space as soon as you walk in. In the main entertainment space, we included a huge, super-comfortable sectional and a wall media center with plenty of tables for setting a drink or snack while relaxing. There are sconces on the wall to give those movie-theater vibes and a couple of ottomans for extra seating. The big window keeps the room from feeling too dark, and matches the wall of steel-and-glass doors that define the gym area.
In between the gym and media area is a bar area, which has plenty of cabinetry for holding snacks and drinks, and a sink with a beautiful tile backsplash that reflects light from the window. We went super moody down here and did dark painted cabinets with dark counters and then added floating shelves to open it up a little. The little peninsula has stained vertical paneling that mimics the kitchen island upstairs and adds a little texture.
The Laundry Room
Back upstairs, the laundry room is conveniently located between the kids' rooms and the primary suite. Our client really wanted a super-designed, pretty space to do laundry -- who can blame her?! The front-loading machines are raised to be easier to use, and the custom cabinets include a pull-out underneath to make loading a laundry basket simple. We used the cutest concrete tile in a contrasting pattern and color for the floor. We kept it simple with white subway tile with a handmade look for the backsplash and black counters. The cabinets are a muddy cream color to warm up the space, and then we brought in the cutest wood pendant, a beautiful vintage rug, and a sweet piece of art to make it feel special.
Extensive renovations like this one can take years to plan and execute, so if you'd like to chat with us about your project, the sooner, the better! Get in touch by filling out our inquiry form, and be sure to follow along on Instagram for the latest on our current projects and to see what's inspiring our team.
Không gian tầng hầm và phòng giặt ủi sau khi cải tạo nhìn hiện đại và tối ưu diện tích xuất sắc thật đấy! Cách sắp xếp nội thất thông minh cùng tông màu sáng sủa vừa tạo cảm giác sạch sẽ, vừa biến khu vực vốn đơn điệu này thành một góc cực kỳ chill và tiện nghi.
Và những lúc nghỉ ngơi, mình thường ghé tải video threads về iphone vì nó vừa đơn giản lại vừa nhanh chóng.
I really enjoyed seeing this basement and laundry reveal. The transformation feels both practical and stylish, and I especially like how the space was designed to improve everyday functionality without sacrificing aesthetics. Projects like this remind me that successful renovations often come down to having the right systems and planning behind the scenes, not just the visible finishes. Whether it’s organizing a home renovation or managing complex projects, structure makes a huge difference. That’s one reason I found Strike System interesting—it highlights the value of streamlined processes and efficient coordination. Great design and good systems seem to go hand in hand when creating spaces that truly work well over the long term.
What a transformation — adding a basement to a Santa Monica home is exactly the kind of major structural work that opens up spaces which have been sealed off for decades. One thing SoCal contractors and homeowners consistently discover during this type of excavation and framing phase is rodent activity that had been living undetected in crawl spaces, wall cavities, and sub-floor areas for years — contaminated insulation, gnawed wiring, and active nesting that needs to be fully remediated before new walls close everything back in. For anyone undertaking a renovation of this scale in the LA area, visit website to learn how a single-treatment inspection, exclusion, and decontamination service can protect the investment before the finishing touches go in.
Basement and laundry reveals always look clean at the end, but moisture control is what keeps those spaces from becoming a headache later. A roof leak or bad drainage can quietly undo a lot of interior work. I’d rather fix the outside issues before spending money on finishes inside. SOL Roofing feels useful for that because the repair, inspection, waterproofing, and gutter services all connect back to keeping the house dry where it matters.
Following the 4th and Ocean Project: Basement and Laundry Reveal, it is interesting to see how even residential construction and renovation projects are increasingly being viewed through a sustainability lens. Modern home improvement is no longer just about aesthetics or functionality; it is also about energy efficiency, material optimization, and reducing long-term environmental impact. Whether it is insulation in basements, moisture control in laundry spaces, or the choice of building materials, every detail contributes to a larger conversation around sustainable infrastructure.
Interestingly, this shift in thinking at the residential level mirrors what is happening at a national and global scale. As construction practices evolve, they naturally connect with broader climate goals, especially in rapidly developing economies like India. This is…