Co-founder of Pittsburgh-based interior design firm Babb & Mack Design Co., Dana Mackey thoughtfully reimagined her basement renovation in order to turn it into a stunning “lower level retreat.” She shares the story with TABLE Magazine.

Bringing a Life to Your Space Through Renovation

Our comprehensive lower-level renovation reimagined every inch of space—blending thoughtful spatial planning, structural problem-solving, and layered interior design to create a warm, curated retreat for everyday living and entertaining. 

What began as a dark, fragmented basement became an opportunity for total reinvention. The layout was completely reworked, including relocating a powder room and expanding it into a full guest bathroom. Beneath the surface, the 100-year-old structural concrete floor was failing, so the team hand-dug the slab down eight inches, replaced the accessible sewer lines, and poured a new structural floor. As a bonus, this process provided higher ceilings and a fresh foundation for the new plan. 

The original staircase—narrow and unsafe—needs rebuilt as a wider, more gracious stair featuring oak treads with edge nosing. We integrated structural posts into new walls for a seamless architectural envelope. One post was carefully shifted a foot to disappear fully within the staircase wall. The furnace was relocated from the center of the basement to a perimeter wall to maximize living space and improve flow. Updated mechanical systems include new gas, radiator, and water line manifolds, allowing each line to be adjusted or shut off individually. A wall-mounted instant hot water unit and water softener modernize everyday function. 

Pocket doors provide privacy where needed but disappear during gatherings. The dramatically expanded laundry room—now nearly four times its original size—serves as a combined mudroom, storage area, and hardworking utility space with a folding station and generous wash basin. The former coal cellar, beneath the exterior steps, was reimagined as a naturally cool wine cellar with terracotta pipe storage and a hand-applied concrete finish for a European sensibility. 

Accessibility is Key

The new layout creates distinct but connected zones: a kitchenette/wet bar, game area with custom banquette, and a movie room with wrap-around built-in sofas designed for both lounging and overnight guests. A palette of French limestone flooring, deep wood tones, and bold earthy hues—yellows, reds, greens, and blues—balances against soft historic whites and blush-taupe undertones. The furnishings and textiles bring soul to the space, from the collection of quilts and linens in the laundry room to the custom cushions in the lounge and media spaces. 

The red wet bar, topped with a custom copper counter that will patina beautifully over time, anchors the entertaining zone. The bourbon collection sits proudly within the bar’s shelving, inviting guests to explore unique bottles gathered over the years. Layered lighting creates a warm, intimate glow for gatherings, with more functional overhead options for daily tasks. 

In the guest bathroom, softly honed handmade floor tiles pair with crisp white wall tile, bringing unexpected brightness and refinement to a lower-level space. Art collected from travel and local vintage shops adds authenticity and charm throughout. 

This renewed lower level feels cozy, curated, and truly one-of-a-kind—a space that celebrates craftsmanship, comfort, and the joy of gathering. 

5 Basement Renovation Questions with Interior Designer Dana Mackey

TABLE Magazine: Why renovate a basement? 

Dana Mackey: The basement—now commonly referred to as the lower level—often accounts for a significant portion of a home’s square footage, is a smart opportunity to enhance both livability and long-term value of a home. In many Pittsburgh homes, basements were originally utilitarian spaces, housing the classic “Pittsburgh potty,” a utility sink, and a simple shower mounted to a structural post. These spaces served an important purpose: allowing workers in the steel, iron, coal, and glass industries to clean up before joining their families upstairs for a shared meal. 

Today, homeowners are reimagining the lower level as an extension of daily life. Modern renovations transform these spaces into home gyms, media rooms, and inviting areas for entertaining, as well as comfortable lounges for teens, highly organized laundry and mudrooms, and even playful indoor spaces for young children. By thoughtfully renovating the lower level, homeowners can dramatically improve how their home functions day to day while making a smart investment in the overall value and marketability of their home. 

TM: What functions did the renovation embrace?

DM: We had just purchased and had plans to renovate the entirety of this 100+ year old Mt. Lebanon brick home. We intentionally began in the lower level to first address the home’s infrastructure. First was relocating and servicing the boiler, hand-excavating and lowering the deteriorating concrete floor, replacing all sewed lines, and pouring a new slab, ultimately gaining approximately six inches of headroom. We also installed a new electrical panel, a tankless water heater, and a water softener, creating a solid foundation for the rest of the home. 

After the update of the mechanical system, we shifted our focus to lifestyle spaces. The top priority was a generous, highly functional laundry and mudroom with custom storage for off-season outerwear, my vintage linen collection, and a dedicated folding station. As a textile lover, I genuinely enjoy the ritual of laundry, so the space is calm, efficient, and intuitive: simple but hardworking. 

From Bath to Bar and Beyond

We then relocated the original small bathroom to a new location beneath the stairs, which allowed us to add a shower and create a full bath—an welcoming accommodation for guests and a significant value add to the home. The former coal cellar beneath the front exterior stair turns into a small but mighty wine storage area, finished with terracotta piping and micro-concrete for an organic, European feel. 

Additional spaces include a large wet bar with a custom copper countertop and ample storage for our bourbon collection, a cozy game area with built-in banquette seating for euchre nights, and a concealed television flanked by custom shelving to display vintage finds. Finally, we transformed a small rear room into a movie and sleepover space by a custom perimeter bench that doubles as an extra-deep sofa. It has become a favorite gathering spot for our three children, now teenagers and young adults, when hosting friends. 

TM: What was the most important outcome you were hoping to achieve? 

DM: Beyond updating the home’s dated mechanical systems, we had three clear goals. First, we wanted to create thoughtful storage and display solutions that support our hobbies—skiing, racquet sports, and collecting vintage art, linens, books, and objects. Second, we hoped the space would encourage us to prioritize entertaining friends and family. Since the renovation, it has become the backdrop for parties, book club gatherings, euchre nights, and bunco. 

Most importantly, we wanted a space that supports connection—a place where both our immediate and extended family can gather, build traditions, and continue making meaningful memories together. 

TM: What guided your choices of finishes and materials? Trend? Resale? Personal satisfaction?  

DM: Once the functional goals were established, the finish selections were prioritized and driven entirely by our personal preferences and by respect for the home’s architecture. The design direction took shape as historic European with an earthy, timeworn palette inspired by the home’s deep monochromatic green exterior. Authenticity and longevity mattered far more than any trends and resale. 

The flooring set the tone for the entire lower level. I wanted a surface that felt traditional and practical—something meant to be swept with a broom—making French limestone the natural choice and a grounding foundation for the surrounding spaces. From there, the palette evolved organically, beginning with a soft, smoky green and layering in deep saffron, sophisticated cabernet, aged blush, and a lime-washed white to provide contrast and also visual relief. 

Designing this lower level was also a rare opportunity for experimentation. It became a personal playground where I could take risks, edit instinctively, and push beyond the constraints that often come with designing for others. The freedom to trust my intuition resulted in a space I have no regrets about—and the process itself sharpened my confidence and then clarified my personal design language. 

TM: In hindsight, is there anything you wish you’d included or left out of the project? 

DM: As with many renovations, both the budget and timeline ultimately exceeded our initial expectations. That said, the investment allowed us to prioritize the home’s foundational systems, electrical, mechanical, as well as structural, which has given us complete confidence as we move forward with future renovations. Knowing the systems beneath the surface are sound was well worth the upfront commitment. 

To offset some of the unexpected costs, we made a few strategic decisions. One was opting not to include a heated floor beneath the stone, a luxury feature we ultimately didn’t feel we would miss. It was a meaningful cost savings, and a choice we don’t regret. Beyond that, we’re happy with the decisions and incredibly proud of the project. 

Story by Dana Mackey
Photography by Erin Kelly

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