BASEMENT DEVELOPMENT  ·  WINDERMERE

Creating a space that worked as hard as their lifestyle demanded.

Shawn had a strong aesthetic instinct from the start. He wanted clean lines and a rich, elevated feel — none of the dropped ceilings and builder-grade finishes that so often define basement developments. NUVO took that direction and ran with it, designing a space anchored by a custom-built TV cabinet with integrated surround sound and a wet bar purpose-built for hosting. The result is a lower level that feels less like a basement and more like a high-end extension of the home.

Every material choice was intentional. In the bathroom, Shawn wanted a minimalist shower experience — no bulky door, no visual clutter. NUVO specified a sleek shower shield in its place, paired with a generously sized wall niche, a pebble-tiled shower base, and large-format tile in a wood-look finish that brings warmth and natural tone into the space. The oversized vanity adds substance and serious storage without crowding the room.

Built for the Whole Family

Great design accounts for everyone in the household — and in this case, that meant two kids who needed a space of their own. Rather than surrendering square footage to a generic playroom, NUVO looked at the floor plan differently. Tucked beneath the stairs, a fully custom-designed built-in play area was crafted specifically for Shawn’s children — a clever use of space that delights the kids without compromising the sophisticated feel of the rest of the level.

The basement also incorporates a dedicated home office and guest bedroom, making it a fully self-sufficient floor that adapts to whatever the family needs on any given day.

The Challenges Behind the Finish

Every project has its complexities. Here, one of the more unique considerations was Shawn’s existing home server — a piece of equipment that couldn’t simply be powered down or relocated during construction. NUVO’s team implemented protective measures throughout the renovation to shield the server from dust and debris, coordinating work sequences carefully to ensure it stayed operational from demo through to final finishes.

Sound management was another priority. NUVO installed full soundproofing and resilient channel throughout the ceiling of the main living area — a professional-grade acoustic solution that effectively decouples the basement from the rest of the home. Whether the game is on, the surround sound is running, or the kids are deep in play, the floors above remain undisturbed.

A Project That Speaks for Itself

The measure of a well-delivered renovation isn’t just in how it looks on completion day — it’s in what happens next. Shawn was so pleased with the outcome that he referred a close colleague to NUVO. That colleague went on to complete his own basement development with the team, followed by a full open-concept kitchen renovation on his acreage. That kind of trust, passed from one homeowner to the next, is the standard NUVO holds itself to on every build.