This partially finished basement started out like so many others in Seattle: dark, low-ceilinged, and compartmentalized. Not a space this Wallingford family wanted to spend time in. Their goal for the complete remodel was to open it up, brighten it up, and raise the ceiling up. They also wanted plenty of sturdy built-in shelving for their large book collection and for their young son's equally impressive toy collection. The result is a warm and welcoming haven for creative play and constructive thinking. Natural light pours through the windows, and a new stairway with open balusters makes this family room feel integrated with the rest of the home.