Do it yourself

Basement Makeover

Often during renovations, you end up with an empty room ready to be personalized. With a little creativity, you can easily bring new life to your basement. Here are several projects, from floor to ceiling, that will transform your room!

Vanessa Beland

Blogger

Difficulty level: Easy

Duration: One weekend

Material

Primed Finger Jointed Pine Quarter Square White Pine 2 in x 8 in x 8 ft DryDex Spackling Sandpaper - 400 Paint Brushes Mini Foam Roller Paint Stipple Sponge Interior Paint Zinsser B-I-N 2 Stain-Blocker Primer ECO Floor Paint (2 differents colours)Water-Based Interior Finish

Stencil of the pattern of your choice

Tools

Mitre Saw Finish Nailer Level Tape Measure Electric Finishing Sander

Painting Walls and Ceiling

1.1 - Apply 2 coats of paint on the walls. We used RONA collection interior latex paint and primer for children's room. The colour is SICO quartz sand (6085-31).
1.2 - Apply 2 coats of paint on the ceiling. We used Sico Evolution Ceiling Paint and Primer with matte finish. You can use the online Colour Selector by SICO to choose a colour and paint finish.

Painting Fireplace Bricks

2.1 - Clean bricks with soapy water. Let dry completely.
2.2 - Apply 1 to 2 coats of matte finish paint in the colour of your choice

Paint Fireplace Tiles

3.1 - Lightly sand ceramic tiles using a sander and 400 grit paper.
3.2 - Clean ceramic tiles with soapy water to remove any dust or dirt.
3.3 - Apply a coat of stain-blocking primer with a foam roller. Allow to dry for the time recommended by the supplier.
3.4 - Apply one coat of floor paint with a foam roller, using the base colour of its pattern. Allow to dry. Apply a second coat if necessary. Allow to dry for the time recommended by the supplier.
3.5 - Paint desired pattern on the tile using a stencil, stencil sponge and the second colour of floor paint. Allow to dry for time recommended by the supplier.
3.6 - Touch up tile joints and paint smudges using a mini brush and the base colour.
3.7 - When dry, apply 2 to 3 coats of matte finish water-base varnish.

Create an Accent Wall

4.1 - Cut all mouldings to the length of your choice, using a miter saw and sand the ends with sandpaper. For this project, the mouldings are 31 inches long.
4.2 - Determine the location of the mouldings, using a level and tape measure. For this project, the mouldings are 7 inches from the ground and there are 6 inches between each moulding.
4.3 - Fix the mouldings, using a finishing nail gun. Start by nailing the one in the center of the wall, then add the others around it.
4.4 - Plug nail holes with spackling paste and once it is completely dry, sand excess with 400 grit sandpaper.
4.5 - Paint mouldings in same colour as the wall.

Before

After

Before

After

Change Fireplace Shelf and Decorate

5.1 - Cut a 2" x 8" x 8' white pine board to desired length and install it above the fireplace.
5.2 - Decorate it and voila!

Vanessa Beland

Blogger

On her blog and Instagram account Fleur maison, Vanessa presents modern decoration projects to create a home to your liking. She also shares bits and pieces of her daily life to help you discover new tricks and see the beauty in your home.