Lower Level Entertaining Space in Hartland, WI

19 hours ago

2 min read

At a glance: Lower level remodel · Hartland, WI · Investment: $100,000–$250,000 · Wet bar, family room, bedroom/den, playroom & bath

The story

This lower level was a collection of disconnected rooms around one large, unassigned space, with painted brick-pattern concrete walls, a drop ceiling, and storage shelving as the first thing guests saw. The homeowners wanted it to feel as finished and inviting as the rest of their home, a space the whole family would use every day.

Open lower level with walnut slat accent wall, two-level wet bar and family room, Hartland, WI

The design

We reworked the layout so the bar and entertaining areas flow naturally. One deep tone runs throughout: Peppercorn paint, field-matched to the Slate cabinetry, carries from the entry wall to the bar, fireplace surround and bedroom wall. Walnut-tone slats and Flint-stained maple warm it against soft Greek Villa walls, and a new drywall ceiling with recessed lighting replaced the drop ceiling.

Featured details

Two-level wet bar: Steps from bar height for guest seating down to counter height for serving. Milan quartz rises as one continuous slab up the wall to a sconce-lit floating shelf, and paneled appliances disappear into the cabinetry.
Entertainment wall: Walnut slats center a 77" TV over a 60" linear fireplace, framed by lit built-in niches with maple shelving.
Bedroom/den: The bay of existing egress windows became a code-compliant bedroom or den, closed off by painted double barn doors.
Tailored bedroom: A Peppercorn board-and-batten wall echoes the family room's vertical slats.
Thoughtful engineering: A new HVAC zone without lowering the ceilings, quartz seams planned so slabs fit down the stairs, every wire hidden, and the radon pipe enclosed.