For one busy family, the transformation of their basement came from a desire to provide an escape for the entire family. “But primarily, they wanted a space to entertain and host large gatherings,” says Kevin Billings of Dexter & Plaid. “The biggest goal was to ensure everyone could feel connected but not crowded.”

They weren’t afraid of bringing in bold style, and Kevin crafted a unique mix. “The style heavily pulls from aesthetics of hunting lodges, old English pubs, mountain chalets, and a little Ralph Lauren,” he says. “The homeowners specifically wanted more of a rustic feel for this space.”

At the base of the stairs is a designated entry, which features a reclaimed wood console table filled with vintage objects that offer a preview of what you’ll find within the main basement area. “The main space is long, so it’s broken up into two halves,” the designer explains. “One half is made up of the bar area and the other is the lounging area. What I love most is how the entire space is enveloped in oak wood paneling that we then used on the cabinetry and island to create a seamless look.”

For the bespoke bar, they extended the original footprint by designing a longer island and moving all the appliances (refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher) to be under-cabinet. “We wanted all the cabinetry to blend together as much as possible so you couldn’t tell which housed an appliance and which was being used for storage, so figuring out door sizing took some time to work through,” Kevin recalls. “But we were able to incorporate all the necessary appliances, create ample storage, and have everything look super intentional and appropriate.”

The island was crafted to incorporate curves on both ends, with one side featuring shelving to display items and add additional function. “We then used handmade cement tiles for the bar floor and had a custom brass floor transition crafted to connect the tile to the carpet and to further nod to that old pub feel,” he says. Open brass shelving is installed on an antique mirrored backsplash, which visually opens the room up.

They installed a plaid wool carpet from Prestige Mills throughout, which really drives the balance between rustic and preppy. “I love how we leaned into the plaid, specifically in the lounge area, by having custom back sofa cushions made in a plaid fabric, then layered on some additional plaid throw pillows to give things a more relaxed, curated vibe,” Kevin shares.

The project took about a year to finish. “I know the clients loved how we captured their vision for the space and how it met their functional needs as both a family and as people who love to entertain,” the designer concludes. “Seeing their excitement to use the space was the most rewarding part of this project.”