This Oconomowoc home started out with a boring, unfinished basement mostly used for storage. The couple who lived here with their children wanted to transform it into a space everyone in the family could enjoy. They envisioned a lower level where the family would gather or the kids would invite their friends over. To bring their ideas to life, they reached out to Matrix Basement Finishing.
“Our designers are really good about taking a blank canvas and helping the homeowners realize their dream,” says Brent Duelm, Matrix’s chief financial officer. The Matrix team has completed 15,000 basements since the firm’s founding in 2009. Christopher Powers, a Matrix designer, led the project. “Working for Matrix, I get to improve family spaces and change people’s lives,” Powers says. “Turning my experience and creativity into trust and excitement for others has fueled my desire to learn and grow.”
He sat down with the couple to map out the space and figure out how to achieve their goals. They divided the basement into three spaces: a home movie theater, a game room and a guest bedroom. The game room is centered by a pool table, the walls lined with film posters. It leads into the theater, which even includes a charming “box office” window. Inside, a large screen pops against blacked-out walls and a ceiling with a striking light fixture hanging down. Two rows of crushed red velvet chairs and gold detailing give the room a luxurious feel – a perfect spot to watch the latest blockbuster.
The game room next door presented a unique challenge for Powers – he had to ensure noise from the theater didn’t spill over when both rooms were in use, and vice versa. To achieve that, the team used specialty boarding for the theater walls and installed sound-dampening carpet on the floor. “At the end of the day, we don’t provide a product, we provide a lifestyle,” Duelm says. “Our focus is always on helping people achieve their dreams.”
Matrix Basement Finishing
N57 W14502 Shawn Cir., Menomonee Falls
414-261-6355
matrixbasements.com
Owner Spotlight: Nick Richmond
Nick Richmond, the CEO of Matrix, has been in the home improvement industry for over two decades and founded Matrix in 2009.
“I find what we do very rewarding because we’re helping homeowners improve their quality of life,” he says. “As we continue to grow, we’re also able to create incredible opportunities for our employees to grow and expand with Matrix. I love this industry and the business we’ve built, and I truly believe the growth potential is limitless.”
