Playroom turned Game Room/Lounge
April 6, 2009
We are fortunate enough to have a bonus space in our home. When we were first married, we used this space as a formal dining room. When the munchkins were born, we gave up our formal dining room to have a toddler playroom, rather than have their toys scattered all over the house. (I stayed up late one night painting it butter yellow and celery green. I blame the hormones because pregnancy will make you do some crazy things.) Playskool ruled this roost for several years, until I decided to take the space back.
Here’s the before (notice the exhausted Dad):
Here’s the after:
Here’s the story:
The whole goal was to create a more mature space that would multitask as a place for the kids to entertain themselves and friends with games, puzzles, movies, art projects, and eventually, be a place to do homework. I had to blend two wood tones as well: maple and walnut.
The first thing that had to go was the pastel paint job. I chose an earthier color to compliment the rest of the house. It’s a tan based mustardy shade of green called ‘Beachwalk’ by Behr. The window wall is painted an entire shade darker. The rug is a pale green, very soft chenille from Home Decorators.
The next big project was the Map Wall. National Geographic makes a map of the world in “earth-tone” colors instead of the traditional red/blue color scheme as seen in most classrooms. It was $99, and this map covers a 10 x 6.5 ft space. When you consider the price of art for an entire wall, this was relatively cheap. Instead of applying adhesive to the back like wallpaper, I stapled it to the wall with a stapler, then trimmed it in a moulding from Home Depot that I spray painted chocolate brown to form a frame around the edges. I had it cut with a chop saw and applied it to the wall with a nail gun.
I think this map would also make a great backdrop to any guest room, office, kid’s room, or basement wall. It is educational and quite a conversation piece for all who enter.
I spray painted a $5 iron grill and some letters to create a wall compass.
Next, I hung a no sew valance (see this other post), and spray painted some white $2 letters from Michaels. (I applied painter’s tape to the edges to give them a two toned look.) The paint color is Cinnamon from the American Accents collection by Rustoleum.
I dressed up some standard 2 x 4 ft. corkboards with hot glue and chocolate colored ribbon to blend the two wood tones. The boards provide for a rotating art display, and these inexpensive cabinets keep movies, games, and supplies organized. The orange art boxes and magazine (book) holders are from The Container Store.
The green legged, drop leaf table with the walnut wood top is from Target ($100 on clearance). The parsons chairs I’ve had for years, and they are from Ballard Designs – slip covered in their latte velvet.
On the opposite wall is a shelving system we’ve had since we were first married ten years ago, when maple wood was all the rage. It works well to organize their puzzles, toys, instruments, fuzzy friends, blocks, and other games. Someday soon we will get a more modern TV, and perhaps a darker wood shelving system.
I really like the extra large clothesline style clips for art display, and someday they will be used for the kids’ game or school schedules. I picked those up at Pottery Barn last year. The stacking lime green baskets are from Target ($3 each).
This ‘Melissa and Doug’ brand solid wood tree house is a favorite in our family, complete with rope ladder, swings, and a trap door.
On the north wall (opposite the window) is a stacking unit from The Company Store. The bright colored bins are from the Land of Nod. That’s another earth-tone map of the United States from National Geographic.
The children help keep everything organized with these homemade labels.
The extra floor pillows come in handy when guests arrive or for movie night.
The sofa is bone colored leather from Jennifer Convertibles. It folds out for overnight guests or impromptu slumber parties.
The coffee table was a floor sample – it provides more storage, and another place to play, or have snacks.
The whole family now uses this room. With the more mature color scheme, it can be updated very simply through the years with age appropriate belongings.
[April 23rd Author’s Note: This room can also be seen featured on Young House Love and on Apartment Therapy’s OhDeeDoh]
I think this room looks amazing!!! What a transformation, you did an excellent job. :) I love the map wall, and all of the neatly arranged organization bins (I’m a sucker for organizing things- love them!). I am impressed!
That looks amazing – now I want to run down to our bland bland bland basement 'playroom' and fix it up so I want to be down there as well! Although E & W would probably just destroy everything…
What do I think? Besides OMG YOU ARE MY GURU. That is freaking awesome. I am hyperventilating over that wall-sized map.
Wow!!!!!
Amazing. I love it all. Totally kid friendly, but a room that they can grow into as well. I love all the stations for their toys, supplies and game table. Love it all!
Ummm, all I can say is: when is the magazine coming out!?! (Okay, I know you are too modern for that! But YOU are dynamite and I just want to keep looking and looking at your improvements! Like when I’m in the car waiting to pick up the kids from school…) Is your family just in awe of the force of your nature: you are a decorating Goddess!
This is unbelievable!! I’m so in love with the large map on the wall–BRILLIANT!
I love this room! I love the maps, the colours and the storage in here. Very creative space for the kids. It looks like a very sophisicated classroom. Great job!
OMG! Love it! That wall sized map is awesome. The room looks like something you would see in a magazine.
I followed the link to your site from This Young House – what an amazing transformation!!!! Great job, and I think the huge map is my favorite addition. :)
Holy Cow! What a fab job you did!! And such creative ideas to tie everything togther. The color is great and the space looks kid and adult friendly. LOVE IT!!
Who knew you could fit so many fantastic ideas into one space. If only I could be so organized with my daughters toys and crafts!
saw this on TYH – looks great! such a sophisticated, yet still fun, room for kids!
Best play room ever…makes me want to have kids just to create such a fun playroom ; ) Seriously though, fabulous design.
(I found you blog from This Young House!)
Just saw this on This Young House blog–it’s incredible. And I’m glad to have discovered your blog as well!
Hi, Kate :) I came over from John & Sherry's. You did an absolutely fabulous job with this room. I really *love* how you've made this a "whole family" oriented room instead of just a "kid room". It's such a great move toward keeping family time a priority instead of segregating your home. Not to mention that it's just a great use of space to use to room for more than one purpose :)
Again, you did a super job. Love the chairs and table in front of the window. That spot is begging two of you to come play Battleship :)
Jacci
This room is great! I love the colors and the setup. It seems to be a multi-functional room, one that everyone can enjoy. You did a great job!
WOW. I really love the map! I was thinking of doing something similar, but because my husband and I like to travel, I was thinking of putting push pins for the places we’ve been to and want to go to. And I’ll definitely be using your idea for the moulding. That’s so much cheaper than buying a frame! I’m new to your blog (saw your space on This Young House), and I can’t wait to see more!
First time visitor via TYH. Adding another rave review. You did an eXcellent job on this incredible transformation. It’s stylish, pratical and affordable (the perfect trio). ThanX for thoughtfully including resources in your description. A+
I love the color scheme and the wall map! I’ve been looking for one that large to put up in my husband’s office. LOVE IT! Oh, did you happen to make those pillows beside the sofa? If so, where did you get that wonderful striped fabric?
LOVE this! Love the wall map and I’ll be doing that myself now that I’ve seen it!!!! I came across your blog through This Young House. So happy I did!
loving the map.
I love the personality of your room. Makes me want to be a kid in your family.
I adore it! You did SO much work. I want that map too!
jbhat
I love this room! I know that the coffee table was a floor sample, but where did you find it? I’ve been looking for something just like it!
Dear Stephanie:
I found the coffee table at Jennifer Convertibles, the same place I found the leather sofa ! See my gal pal ‘D’ at All Things G+D on my blog list for another similar coffee table in her living room. She may be able to help you find it too.
Kate
Hi! I also found your blog from TYH. I love, love, love your room… the map is especially awesome. Can I ask where you found the small children’s book shelf/holder thingy on the floor? I’ve been looking for almost two years (!) for something just like that.
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous room, I love every inch!
Hi Alicia,
That’s the KidKraft sling bookshelf, available now at http://www.OneStepAhead.com. If you Google it, you may find it at Target or ToysRUs as well.
Awesome! Thank you so much… ordering tonight! I knew what we needed (something to store those awkward-shaped books) but didn’t realize they’re actually fabric and I think that’s what foiled my search. You’re my hero! Thanks again for sharing the info and your fun room.
Oh, my….I’m in love. It’s gorgeous! Wonderful job!!
First time visitor from TYH, but this is an amazing makeover!!
I like your room.
I absolutely love how you really put this bonus room to such good use. It is truly an inspiring place to “explore” and the map is genius!
I love what you did to your “kid room”. the map idea is brilliant…I may need to borrow that idea one day down the road.
Also first time visitor from THY. The pictures on their site did not do your work justice. It is simply beautiful. You must be bursting with pride.
Oh My God. That is amazing & I am so inspired I have a similar space. I am off to start RIGHT now. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. OH MY GOD BRILLIANT. My colors too.
This room looks awesome. I’m going to copy some of your ideas! I just found your blog from This Young House and I love it.
Where in the WORLD did you find that huge map? I LOVE it!!
Just came over from John and Sherry’s blog. You are amazing! This is just perfect for kids and adults both. I especially like the color scheme. It is both calming and energizing – if that is possible! Great job!
First time your blog and love the makeover. I especially liked how you painted the ‘explore’ letters, by leaving the white on the sides to give it a dimensional effect. Genius!
This is the first time I have come over to ur blog from This Young House…absolutely adore ur room trsnaformation!!!! GREAT job!!!! :)
Headed over here from TYH and am so glad I did. I love, love, love the maps! I’m totally stealing that idea :)when I redo our downstairs playroom/family room.
I found you via This Young House and had to swing by. I LOVE the map and have been planning on doing a huge map wall in my guest bedroom. Can I ask where you found it?
What an amazing makeover ! I found your blog through This Young House and I’ve added you to my blog roll! Great design ideas and useful tips. Thank you ! – Julia http://artharlot.blogspot.com/
I love the map on the wall! And your color scheme is very grown up and loungey. Great job!
The boyfriend and I had that exact same map on a wall of our bedroom (X-mas gift from his Mother). We elected to wallpaper it up and believe me when I say that it was HELL to take down. I SO wish we had stapled it!
Amazing!!! I want that map!
Great job!!
I love this room, you did a fantastic job!
Hi there, I first spotted your room at this young house. You have done an incredible job! :D
What a gorgeous transformation! I love all of your creative details. Great job!
love this. it’s got me so inspired – and i love that you shared all of your sources. makes the hunting a bit easier =)
thanks! lindsay