Thank you so much for this!!! Now to plan my basement :)

Thank you! That helps me too.

What a wonderful story. Of course, I got curious and Googled the text (thanks for sharing the full quote). According to the almighty Internet, the Dictionary of Modern Proverbs says this comes from a 1910 Newport News article. So cool that you all saved the sign…and yes, the fantastic typography.

Thanks, Trav! It feels good to call it done ;)

Hey Judi! I was actually lucky enough to find this sign when we were demoing the basement. It was part of the a workbench – about a 100 years ago someone must have recycled it! We were able to save the sign, and I love having it on display in the basement. If you were to put all the sign pieces together it reads “Business goes where it is invited and stays where it is well treated”, I’m nuts about the typography. Sorry I can’t be of any help as to where to find another :(

I was actually wondering about the wood art with the words on it (reading my comment I see I was totally unclear, probably because I was under-caffeinated) so if you can share that I would really appreciate it. But now I am also really taken with Kim’s work, which is not good for the budget…and with the party lights (love those engineer prints). Thanks again!

I hope my kids do take something from it! I did get a valentine the other day that said “I love you because you fix our house”. Thanks for sharing on the blog! I’ll look forward to checking out the post!

Seriously, Thanks, Amy! We have been really enjoying the space!

Hey, Vanessa! It feels pretty great, and it makes me really happy to see my family and friends hanging out and enjoying the space. Maybe someday I will be one of those things when life as kid driver ends ;)

Thanks, Kimberly!

Hey, Judi! So glad you found me! The photographic image on the wall was a picture I had made. I had it printed at Parabo Press. The water color artwork was made by KIm Eichler-Messmer, she did a 100 day study last year, and she is selling all of her paintings. There is lots of good stuff over at her site. Oh, and I shared a few images I made awhile ago, so if you’re interested you could download the lake photograph and have it printed ;)

Hey, Lizzie! I’ll mention the wall hanging int he sources post as well, but it was something I had made at parabo press. It’s big impact for not a ton of moolah, and the magnetic framing strips make it easy to change out.

Hey Robyn, I’d be happy to share a bit regarding the costs. This is the breakdown of where the money was spent:
Demo $3,000
New Slab, $3,000
Egress Window $3,100
3 New Windows $2,000
Insulation $2,100
Framing $3,000
Wiring $4,500
Plumbing (Including Radiator and Bathroom) $13,400
Sheetrock (including bathroom) $6,100
Doors $2,000
Flooring $2,000
Total square feet of space (including bathroom & laundry room : 600 Sq Ft
Hope that helps!