Sometimes, an old home can be intimidating.
Our scary basement is no exception. We knew this going into the purchase, but the work really needed to get going, as we might have guests in the next 1-3 months over the holidays, and sleeping on the couch is not really an option for some.
This particular basement is "special", in legal terms, it's really a "cellar", as it's only 6 foot and 1/2 inch tall down there. We survive in it, because we are hobbits. This led us to installing recessed lighting, as there was nothing else that could go down there. Previous to the light installation, it was the sort of place where the "gimp" might sneak up on you, leather clad, with a zipper covering thier mouth. No gimp anymore, as the rooms are now brightly lit.
The other problem is flooring, which as we know, can get very expensive. Since it's an "Alice in wonderland rabbit hole basement", we can't use anything "hard", that won't comply to the shapes of the floor. We thought about Vinyl planks, cheap carpet, etc, but in the end we decided on commercial carpet squares (3x3). Used, inexpensive, but decent looking, and above all else "rugged". This part of the installation has not happened yet, as we decided to wait until after the paint goes in.
I'm not going to included an after picture, as it's not ready yet, but here's a before:
Okay, this is not a photo of our basement, nor any evil spirits that we are holding, but you get the dark gist...
Most of what is left now is finishing, cleanup, and venting heat in those rooms. I have to call daddy for this, and listen to him complain out "Hussein Obama" and how his guns were taken away. That in itself is an entertaining event, along with the construction!
My plan, have a functioning basement in 2 weeks.... we shall see!
