I'm back with the basement reveal!!

I’m back, bitches.

Did you miss me??

It’s hard to believe it has been over six months since my last blog post. My social media detox went deeper than I had ever anticipated, and it feels fantastic to be back!

Speaking of social media, I need your help … Come follow along. I relaunched my Facebook page, and my Instagram is getting a total reboot – so if you want to join along for the ride make SURE you are following me! More day to day life, home updates, giveaways, Insta-stories and more … you won’t want to miss it!

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So what have we been up to in The Thome Home for the past six months?

THE BASEMENT!

It’s hard to believe that we have officially finished the family room part of our basement renovation, and that it was all DIY by Dan and his father. The counter top and carpet were the only two items we called the pro’s for. When we purchased this house in 2014, Dan and I were well aware that the basement issues were the key as to why the house was not selling. And if you know Dan and I well enough after blogging since 2011 – we jump for joy when we see something falling apart. The crappier the house, the bigger the smiles we have. Before it was hip to purchase fixer uppers, we were taking the plunge with our first home in 2011.

Jump to our current money pit, the basement took a huge chunk of change out of our pockets immediately upon purchasing. Steel beams to support collapsing walls, waterproofing, replacing the sinking front porch … the list goes on and on. It took a little over four years for us to gather the courage and funds to enter this space. To create the basement of our dreams for our wild little boys to enjoy.

Take a look at this beauty before. Sure, after a few cocktails she may look a little better. Once the lines are blurred. But the second the morning sun shines down on her, you are faced with a basement that not even the best face tuning could improve.

When creating the concept for this space we knew that it had to be a room that could grow with us as a family. Sure, we have a toddler, but we also have a nine-year old, and seven-year old. And if how fast they have grown is any clue to how quickly well blink and have teenagers hanging out in this space, we knew we had to not only hurry, but make it a basement that could accommodate everyone.

If you take a look at the ‘before’ pictures, you may see one of the best qualities of this space. We had two giant rectangle sections to work with. Our basement, before the stair case is a giant open area. Minus the poles, which are only a minor road block. Dan wanted to maintain the area “behind” the stairs to be dedicated to two different uses. 1. A full bathroom (we are starting next month!) and 2. Storage – if you’ve seen my obsession for pillows and home decor you know this girl needs somewhere to shove it.

We decided to add two “closets” to the corner of the room to have easy access to the electrical and sump pump. Thank goodness for the tech nerd in Dan, because he thought of every last drop of electrical we would need for this space. Those hideous steel posts started to look so nice once they were framed out too! Drywall is like putting concealer on the worst under eye bags you have ever seen. Suddenly, this space did not feel like a dungeon, but a space that we were starting to see the light at the end of a long renovation tunnel!

Are you ready to see the beautiful basement we created?!!?

The Tenille Chesterfield Sofas stole every drop of my soul the second that I spotted them on Wayfair.

These two pieces have become my absolute favorite furniture addition to our home – Sleek, tufted and comfortable beyond words – they set the tone for this basement and gave it the fresh look I was longing for!

Two darling armchairs were added for additional seating – believe it or not even with two large sofas and four bar stools we need more spaces for our guests to get cozy! The large woven basket and storage cabinet are both from Target! I am SUPER picky when it comes to picking furnishings for any room in my home. I cannot stand buying a piece of decor/furniture if it turns out to be flimsy or a total piece of crap. The armchair cushions are so substantial and cozy! The storage cabinet is actually quite heavy and solid! And the basket, if I had a dollar for every time I attempted to bring home another basket I’d be rich. This beauty is thick and strong. Any toddler bum could try to take a seat on it and it will not smoosh (that’s a win, fyi)

The bar was by far our number one “must have” for the basement. If you’ve hung with us before you know we love to entertain. Any night of the week you can find us extending invites for drinks and dinner. A full house is a house full of fun in our minds. So, this bar was an essential piece. Dan and John created this gorgeous, massive bar all on their own. Custom shelving holds a plethora of snacks for guests, and an over-sized counter top acts as an island. The brass pendant lighting is from Wayfair. I also have four new boyfriends that are tall, slender and have the most delectable leather touches.

These bar stools , from Wayfair too, are so freaking comfortable you guys, I think I recall getting a little choked up when we put them together, and I wish I was trying to be funny. I am a firm believer that every single space in your home should have these three elements :

1. Wood 2. Metal 3. Multiple Fabrics

Late one night when neither Dan or I could sleep, he texted me a picture of this cabinet posted by one of our favorite thrifty stores and you bet your sweet muffin top I was there the second it opened to purchase it. We bought a basic tv stand from Wayfair before we hosted Christmas Eve and I gagged every time I walked into the basement. It did not fit the space at all. I know I wanted one more wood element, and searched high and low for a quality wood cabinet with brass pulls that would not cost $1,500. No such luck. Until my stud of a husband saved the day. This cabinet gave the basement the touch old that it needed to balance all of the new pieces we bought.

Another fun piece of decor we got are these prints! The maps of the three cities we have made love in, I am kidding. We have LIVED in, they are a sentimental reminder of all the different places we have called home.

You guys, I’ve said it before, and I will say it again ….

YOU can do anything YOU want to your home. Big projects or little projects, high-end or thrifted, YOU are the owner, YOU are the one who lives there. Regardless of the hottest trends that make you feel like you have to jump on board and replicate so other people “OoO” and “aah” over your home DO NOT SWEAT IT – YOU DO YOU.

Our basement once was a total death trap, and now it is the heart of our home. Endless hours are spent relaxing, entertaining and playing down here! It took us four years of complete patience to live with it the way it was to get here …

the best things come to those who wait 🙂