A cramped McLean rambler had become chaotic and cluttered for a family with six children ranging in age from five to 19. The owners tapped interior designer Laura Fox to bring style and order to their abode. One of the main priorities: a welcoming, kid-friendly basement redo with plenty of storage. “My clients wanted a space where the family could hang out together, where the parents could entertain friends and the kids would also want to spend time on their own,” Fox explains.

To organize the large lower-level space, Fox created several convenient zones. She delineated a cozy seating area in front of the TV; a mudroom lined with cubbies that store outdoor items near the back door; and a crafts-and-homework zone where she designed a wall of built-in cabinetry to keep art projects and toys in order. She also borrowed space from a storage room and closet to create a wine cellar and designed a teak structure for it that holds 550 bottles.

Dated wood paneling has been replaced by drywall painted white with off-white trim, while accents of Sherwin Williams’ Whirlpool blue keep things bright and cheerful. A dingy brick fireplace has been narrowed and white-washed; attractive built-in bookshelves now flank it on both sides.

Interior Design: Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC, Kensington, Maryland. Contractor: SugarOak Corporation, Herndon, Virginia.