Every unfinished basement is a blank canvas — but most homeowners never quite figure out what to paint on it. The Fleetwood family in Edina had a different problem: they knew exactly what they wanted. A wine cellar. A home theater. A wet bar where they could entertain. A space that would make their home the destination for family and friends. MSP Homes turned that vision into one of the most sophisticated basement finishes in the portfolio.
The Challenge
Basement finishing projects have a unique set of challenges that above-grade work doesn't: moisture management, limited ceiling height, the need to work around mechanical systems, and the psychological challenge of making a below-grade space feel warm and inviting rather than dark and cave-like. The Fleetwood basement had all of these challenges plus an ambitious program — wine cellar, theater, bar, and bathroom in a footprint that required careful space planning to make everything work without feeling cramped.
Project Details
Project Type
Basement Finish & Remodel
Location
Edina, MN
Year Completed
2023
Interior Design
Maria PalmerPhotos
11 project photos
Custom wine cellar — climate-controlled, glass door display, LED accent lighting, 200-bottle capacity
Navy wet bar — quartz countertops, built-in beverage fridge, under-cabinet LED lighting
Our Approach
How we solved it
The design process began with a space plan that allocated square footage to each program element based on how the family actually intended to use the space. The wine cellar was positioned in the coolest corner of the basement, adjacent to the mechanical room, where temperature stability would be easiest to maintain. The theater was centered on the longest wall, with acoustic treatment built into the design. The wet bar was positioned between the theater and the main stair, making it accessible from both the entertainment area and the entry. Every decision was made with the family's lifestyle in mind.
Project Highlights
Custom Wine Cellar with Glass Door Display
The wine cellar is the Fleetwood basement's signature feature — a fully climate-controlled room with custom wood wine racks, a glass door that allows the collection to be displayed while maintaining temperature control, and LED accent lighting that makes the bottles glow. The cellar holds approximately 200 bottles and is designed to be both functional storage and a visual centerpiece visible from the main entertainment area. It's the first thing guests notice when they come downstairs.
Home Theater with Acoustic Treatment
The theater room features a 120-inch projection screen, tiered seating on a custom-built platform, acoustic panels on the side walls to control sound reflection, and blackout curtains on the egress windows. The ceiling was dropped and treated with acoustic tile to prevent sound from traveling to the main floor. The result is a theater experience that rivals commercial cinemas — in the comfort of home.
Navy Wet Bar with Quartz Countertops
The wet bar is the social hub of the Fleetwood basement. Custom cabinetry in a dark navy with quartz countertops, a built-in beverage refrigerator, a sink, and under-cabinet LED lighting create a bar experience that feels like a high-end restaurant rather than a basement. The bar is positioned to serve both the theater and the main lounge area, making it the natural gathering point for entertaining.
Full Bathroom with Spa Tile
A full bathroom — shower, vanity, and toilet — was added to the basement to make the lower level fully self-contained for guests and entertaining. The bathroom features large-format porcelain tile in a warm charcoal, a frameless glass shower enclosure, and a floating vanity with a vessel sink. The design echoes the sophisticated palette of the rest of the basement while feeling like a complete, finished space.
Project Gallery
The Result
The Outcome
The Fleetwood basement finish transformed the home's most underutilized space into its most-used room. The wine cellar has become a conversation piece at every gathering. The theater is where the family spends Friday nights. The bar is where the parties happen. What was once a dark, unfinished space with a concrete floor is now the home's entertainment heart — and a testament to what thoughtful design and quality construction can achieve in a basement.
"Our basement went from storage space to the best room in the house. The wine cellar alone was worth the investment — but the theater and bar have made our home the place everyone wants to be."
Fleetwood Family
Basement Finish & Remodel · Edina, MN
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