Just Beachy
By Lisa Arnett
February 2025 View more Home
This family’s tropical travels inspired an island-worthy basement remodel

Downers Grove residents Scott and Amy Curran agree that life is better at the beach. Scott has been a big Jimmy Buffett fan since college and successfully recruited Amy to become a Parrothead by marriage. When it comes time to plan family vacations, “any place with palm trees, sunshine, and sand makes us happy,” Scott says. They are often traveling to Florida for work or play, and some of their favorite vacation destinations include Hawaii and the British Virgin Islands, specifically Jost Van Dyke.
The Currans bought their house from Oakley Home Builders in 2014. “It already had a finished basement, which we used and abused for the last 10 years exactly as we wanted and intended,” Scott says. “After a certain number of holidays and Halloween parties, it was ready for a redo.” They called up Oakley and also hired Chad Esslinger of Esslinger Design Company in Downers Grove to help give their basement a tropical makeover, specifically inspired by one of their favorite hotels: Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort in Florida.
The Currans’ past travels even inspired an addition to their design team partway through the project. Years ago while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, they met and became friends with HGTV employee Scott Lauth. When they found out he was launching his own interior design firm in Chicago, Tavera Scott Design, with his husband, Eduardo Tavera, they couldn’t resist bringing them in to furnish the soft goods and finishing touches.

1. (top) and 2. (above) “The homeowners wanted bold pattern, lots of color, fun, not too serious,” designer Chad Esslinger says. “I think the challenge was to get the coastal vacation feel but also keep it fairly sophisticated.” The ceiling beams and fireplace mantle were stained a mid-tone brown to contrast with the bright white walls and ceilings. Esslinger selected a slightly lighter tone for the luxury vinyl flooring by COREtec. “It’s very natural-looking, and I use this particular brand in basements because it’s super durable and it’s water-resistant in case there are any spills or leaks or flooding of any sort.”

3. The kitchenette area features a spacious island for party buffets and a microwave for warming up snacks.

4. The Currans’ tropical inspiration can be traced to the tiniest details, from the backsplash tile that resembles surfboards to the texture on the drawer pulls. “These particular pulls have a knurled detail and what led to that being chosen is it reminded them of a pineapple’s texture, that crisscross hatch.”

5. The Currans had the wild idea of turning their unused wine cellar into a secret tiki bar, and Esslinger and the team at Oakley worked together to design a hidden door obscured by kitchen cabinet fronts. Inside the tiki bar, shelving for spirits, funky colored lighting and faux grasscloth wallcovering completed the tropical vibe. “We chose a faux grasscloth because it gave that tropical look but it’s easier to maintain and is more durable than real grasscloth, which can fray over time,” Esslinger says.

6. A curved alcove that the Currans weren’t quite sure what to do with was transformed into a cozy seating area with an orange banquette, leafy wallpaper, and rattan chandelier. “It’s become everybody’s favorite part of the basement,” homeowner Scott Curran says. “There’s always an Uno deck sitting there waiting…and it’s such a good convening place. When we hosted families before homecoming, the kids just piled in there.”

7. Walls and trim painted white give this basement a bright, beachy look. A long cabinet with rattan insets, leafy tropical plant, and lamp with nautical details all add to the island vibes. Every decorative flourish—down to the wooden Mickey Jungle Cruise memento sitting atop books about tiki and Tahiti—aligns with the theme.

8. and 9. Chunky wooden shelves provide space for the Currans to display treasured souvenirs from their travels. Look closely and you’ll see plenty of mouse-eared keepsakes from this Disney-loving family’s time spent at Disney World in Orlando, Aulani in Oahu, and Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

10. Punchy pink and orange wallpaper provides a fun focal point in the basement’s guest bedroom.

11. Accent pillows with a Hawaiian map motif pay homage to one of the Curran family’s favorite vacation destinations.

12. The landing between flights of stairs features parrot wallpaper and a pink neon sign with a fitting greeting. “Aloha means hello and goodbye, so it makes sense coming and going,” Curren says.
Photos: Oakley Home Builders