Truth be told, not much pleases us more than clients who continue designing their home with us room after room. At Sprinkman Design, we thrive on authentic relationships and a collaborative approach to deliver inspired interior design services in and around Madison — and the better we know you, the more personal our work can become. In our experience, that always yields stunning spaces and smiles all around.
This has never been more apparent than in our latest award-winning basement project. After a full first floor renovation, one of our favorite clients returned to transform their lower level from a builder-grade blank slate to a lodge-inspired entertainment stunner. Inspired by a strong vision from their travels, and their personal connection with the Southwest, we created a designer living space packed with interest, meaning, and refined functionality at every turn.
The request was to turn the sparse, disjointed basement into a western-themed bar and living room with abundant wood and natural, rustic elements. We relied heavily on strategic room arrangement and custom furniture design through our exclusive network of trade-only vendors to make the most of the smaller space. By highlighting locally-sourced, texture-forward elements such as reclaimed wood pieces, natural stone, antique-mirrored glass tile, hickory cabinetry, and leathered granite and wood countertops, we infused the space with an elevated, handcrafted aesthetic. The rich color palette features warm, earthy tones like terracotta, adobe brown and sand, complemented by deep desert greens and blues.
The result is a tastefully elegant, cozy Southwest-inspired retreat perfect for entertaining and everyday living.
Room Details
Bar
A stunning U-shaped wood bar top, paired with rich coffee-brown, leathered granite, takes center stage at the front of the space. Its antique-glass backsplash adds depth and character, paying tribute to iconic old western back bars. Framed by dark matte, rustic hickory cabinets and Wisconsin-quarried stone, the bar becomes the undeniable focal point of the room, effortlessly merging style with practicality. Guests are invited to settle into custom-made cowhide bar stools, perfect for enjoying the Badger games on the TV above the reclaimed-wood beam mantle.
Banquette
As it often does, space planning played a pivotal role in this project. Perhaps our primary challenge was to create a beautiful, functional gathering area by integrating multiple spaces. The custom-designed banquette served as the fulcrum, seamlessly connecting the bar and living room. To ensure guests have unobstructed sightlines to the TV, we intentionally elevated the seating, allowing for clear views over those seated on the couch. The banquette also provides a perfect spot for playing cards or enjoying another round of drinks, all under the diffuse glow of the hand-sewn natural linen and aged-iron pendant light.
Living Room
We pulled the cabinetry, stone, and wood accents in the bar area into the living room, creating a harmonious flow between the two spaces. Custom-designed furniture enhances the room’s character, featuring a rich leather sofa, plaid swivel chair inspired by classic menswear, and tribal-patterned ottomans that add texture and warmth. The centerpiece is a locally-crafted, live-edge coffee table, placed atop a faux-hide rug that layers in pattern and depth, bringing the entire gathering space together.
Do you have a unique design you want to infuse into your own home? Let us know!