Summer Basement Project

Basements offer so many possibilities.  Many are underutilized.  Creekside Carpentry specializes in helping you finish or renovate your basement to meet your current needs.



This summer Creekside has been working to bring some new life and utility into one homeowner's basement.  Before, this basement had very low drop ceilings.  The tiles had started to sag.  It also had unappealing fluorescent lighting and outdated wallpaper.  A very small cabinet and bar sink were the only "kitchen" available for use when the homeowners wanted to host dinners in the basement.

The homeowners wanted a basement for entertaining.  They wanted their guests to be able to sit and watch a game, play pool, or hang out at a bar.  They also wanted to be able to have a large serving area for food if they hosted family holiday dinners.  Last but not least, they did not want their guests to have to go up and down stairs every time they needed to use the bathroom.



Creekside took this information and came up with several different plans and then the homeowners chose the one that they felt fit them best.

Below is a "before" photo.  Creekside had already put down a protective covering on the carpet and the furniture had been removed.

Behind one of the walls was a large unfinished storage area.  This space was under utilized and the homeowners felt it could be put to better use.  The wall was pushed back so that there would be extra space for a kitchen and bathroom to be installed.

The drop ceiling was removed and drywall was hung on the ceiling.  This gave six extra inches of actual height, but it felt like much much more than that.  The drywalled ceiling made the basement feel much brighter and homier.

During that same time the fluorescent lighting was replaced with lots and lots of recessed lighting.  This helped create a nice and bright feeling in a basement.

Custom hickory bead board and some fresh green paint were added to the walls.

Some fresh coats of paint and luxury vinyl wood plank flooring from CR Flooring in the new kitchen area and the room starts to really feel like it is coming together!

Then what a wow effect when the custom kitchen cabinets and pennant lighting were added!

The basement has really been transformed and it is even completely finished yet!  Stay tuned for a completed after photo!

Small(er) jobs

Big and small jobs alike have kept us busy at Creekside Carpentry.  First, there was a farm that had a two-story addition to a barn where they planned on putting in offices and a locker room for their employees to use.  Martin Brothers Builders had done all the exterior work, but the inside was basically an empty box.



Creekside came in and completed some of the interior work, including framing in the offices, locker room, and storage areas as well as lots and lots of stairs.  Here are some "after" photos that show the completed framing.

Creekside has also been able to fit in some handyman jobs.  One afternoon was spent installing large crown molding in a room to add some nice architectural detailing.  Another day was spent tackling some jobs that needed to be taken care of to get a home ready for selling.  Below is a photo of a door that was rotten and had to be taken out.  A new door was hung and in the photo is ready for paint!

Creekside can help with not only tackling that list of tasks that need to be completed before selling a home, but also with all the tasks that you might want completed before moving into your new home.

Below are photos of railings that were added to decks to one customer's home that they had recently bought.  Locks were also added for piece of mind that a certain 2-year-old boy would stay safe in the house and not wander out on the decks without adult supervision!

Whatever the task, whether small handyman fixes or working as a contractor coordinating a large build, Creekside is ready!

Pole Barn Addition Part 1

Creekside Carpentry had a new addition to the family which slowed life down for a bit, but now we're back and busier than ever!

One of Creekside's current projects is an addition to an existing pole barn.  The current homeowners wanted to add extra storage for their boats.  After a bit of investigating to find the placement of the leach field, a plan was devised.  The new plan required adding in a lot of fill behind the barn so that the addition was level.  The fill was taken from a nearby field the homeowners had and then the hole in the field was leveled out.  Charlie Baker of C & S Enterprises, Inc. in Leesburg did a great job on the excavating part of the job.

After the fill was brought in and leveled the posts were placed.  Soon we'll be ready for the trusses!  Stay tuned!

Basement Project Part 3... Almost done!

Throughout this long blustery winter I have been working on finishing a large basement along with several other smaller projects.  At the beginning the basement had one finished bedroom and bathroom.  The rest of the basement was unfinished.  Click here for a look back at where we started.

Since then we added a new beam in order to remove one of the supporting posts.  I also added another bedroom and an adjoining large walk-in closet with lots of built-in shelving and drawers.  There was an existing store-room that was completely open and I added lots of shelving to that as well.  The entire basement (walls/ceiling) was framed out, electric for lighting/plugs/switches was added, everything was insulated, dry walled, mudded/sanded, painted, windows/doors were trimmed and hung, and lots of lighting was added.  Before flooring was added I created a trench for the plumbers to add pipes to an island that will be added to a kitchen.  Currently the homeowners have chosen to have the area prepared for having a kitchen, but will add in the cabinets at a later date.  Flooring was added- carpet in most areas with a small area of vinyl tile for the future kitchen.  A custom solid wood stained backboard and basketball hoop along with a custom wood cover for an electric panel was added.  The one supporting post was wrapped and trimmed in solid wood.  The stairs were opened up by removing part of the wall and a custom wood platform was installed.

Here are some photos of the almost completed project.

Custom wood wrapped and trimmed post along with the custom basketball backboard and electric panel cover.

A solid wood ledge was added for visual interest (previously it was just drywall).  The added lighting helps make the nook inviting.

An extra door was added for more access to the storeroom.

Lots of extra shelving makes much better use of the space.  Below are the doors to the two bedrooms along with the interiors of the rooms.

Below are photos of the adjoining walk-in closet with lots of custom shelving and drawers to make efficient use of the space.

Below are photos of the opened up stairway and a quick look back at what it used to look like.

Before: closed off with a door.

Now: a beautiful custom wood platform, open railing with a nice contrast between the white spindles and risers and the dark wood stained pieces.

For a more detailed look back go to

Part 1: Catching up on the basement winter project

Part 2: Drywall progress on the basement project