Home / alt.fashion / Saturday, January 07, 2006
<caryper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1136780718.864999.132...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
a sofa bed that pulls out to queen size. There is a small table on one
side of it and a great floor lamp on the other side to provide good
additional lighting. I am sitting at the computer desk and next to it
there is a small table with my printer/fax/copier and then floor to
ceiling bookcases with cupboards in the bottom half that I had built
specifically for the wall. Behind me there is DH's Euro Cave, boxes of
wine that are waiting their turn to fit in the Euro Cave, an inexpensive
bookcase from Office Max and a few boxes from the Container Store where
I keep my stuff. The wall against the back yard has a large closet from
Target where the girls keep extra clothes and there are windows on each
side of this closet. Finally DH's Nordic Trac is angled to face the
corner of this part of the room since there are two windows that are
positioned to face the west and north sides of the yard. He looks at a
large orange tree and smaller grapefruit tree as well as at part of the
vegetable garden when he exercises.
This room suits our varied needs and has been a wonderful addition to
the house.
Audrey
Kind of OT: What to do with a rec room
"Crispee" <cosmodreamc...@yahoo.com>
1/7/2006 10:18:35 AM
Would be very appreciative of any ideas for the following decorating
problem:
Just moved into a house. There is a large room upstairs, but it has no
door, that we are calling a "rec room." It can be anything of course.
It has a wood floor, lots of light and is the size of a large bedroom.
What the hec can I do with it? My first thought was to make a library/
reading room, but it needs to be a family space, and I'm the only
reader in the family. Then we thought pool table, but we can't afford
it. We already have a play area for the kids. Basically we have a
space, but not a whole lot of money to furnish it. We already have an
entertainment thingie set up in the family room. So what can it be?
None of us has any particular hobbies. Again, I'd like it to be a room
the whole family and guests can enjoy. And on the cheap. Any ideas?
I'd appreciate your thoughts on accessories/ paint as well, since I am
decorating impaired. Thanks for your thoughts!
Crispee
problem:
Just moved into a house. There is a large room upstairs, but it has no
door, that we are calling a "rec room." It can be anything of course.
It has a wood floor, lots of light and is the size of a large bedroom.
What the hec can I do with it? My first thought was to make a library/
reading room, but it needs to be a family space, and I'm the only
reader in the family. Then we thought pool table, but we can't afford
it. We already have a play area for the kids. Basically we have a
space, but not a whole lot of money to furnish it. We already have an
entertainment thingie set up in the family room. So what can it be?
None of us has any particular hobbies. Again, I'd like it to be a room
the whole family and guests can enjoy. And on the cheap. Any ideas?
I'd appreciate your thoughts on accessories/ paint as well, since I am
decorating impaired. Thanks for your thoughts!
Crispee
juliann...@yahoo.com
1/8/2006 8:44:11 PM
Crispee wrote:
people can get away from TV, noise, etc. for quiet conversation,
reading, and relaxation. (Not sure where I read about the concept of
an away room, but it might have been in the book "The Not So Big
House.") The away room is geared more for adults, and you said that it
needs to be for the whole family, but it sounds like you already have
multiple spaces for the kids.
I would furnish it with house plants (but think about how you're going
to keep water from getting on the floor), use relaxing colors (greens,
earth tones) with colorful accents, and work toward having a couple
comfortable chairs, a lamp or two, side or coffee tables and an area
rug. Ikea is a good source for inexpensive furniture. "On the cheap"
is relative, but we recently got some Eames molded plastic armchairs
(think bowling alley) for $250 each that are surprisingly comfortable.
You'd have to like modern to like these, but what I'm getting at is to
think outside the box when looking for furniture. I made an
inexpensive but sturdy endtable by putting a piece of scrap granite on
top of a wicker storage chest from Pier 1. The granite was the sink
cutout from our counter––granite installers end up with scraps, and you
might be able to find one who will cut a scrap to size pretty
inexpensively.
Another idea is that it could make a great exercise room––get a
stability ball, yoga mats, free weights, etc. and you have your own
exercise studio.
Julianne X
Would be very appreciative of any ideas for the following decorating
problem:
Just moved into a house. There is a large room upstairs, but it has no
door, that we are calling a "rec room." It can be anything of course.
It has a wood floor, lots of light and is the size of a large bedroom.
What the hec can I do with it? My first thought was to make a library/
reading room, but it needs to be a family space, and I'm the only
reader in the family. Then we thought pool table, but we can't afford
it. We already have a play area for the kids. Basically we have a
space, but not a whole lot of money to furnish it. We already have an
entertainment thingie set up in the family room. So what can it be?
None of us has any particular hobbies. Again, I'd like it to be a room
the whole family and guests can enjoy. And on the cheap. Any ideas?
I'd appreciate your thoughts on accessories/ paint as well, since I am
decorating impaired. Thanks for your thoughts!
Crispee
This room sounds like the perfect "away room." This is a room where problem:
Just moved into a house. There is a large room upstairs, but it has no
door, that we are calling a "rec room." It can be anything of course.
It has a wood floor, lots of light and is the size of a large bedroom.
What the hec can I do with it? My first thought was to make a library/
reading room, but it needs to be a family space, and I'm the only
reader in the family. Then we thought pool table, but we can't afford
it. We already have a play area for the kids. Basically we have a
space, but not a whole lot of money to furnish it. We already have an
entertainment thingie set up in the family room. So what can it be?
None of us has any particular hobbies. Again, I'd like it to be a room
the whole family and guests can enjoy. And on the cheap. Any ideas?
I'd appreciate your thoughts on accessories/ paint as well, since I am
decorating impaired. Thanks for your thoughts!
Crispee
people can get away from TV, noise, etc. for quiet conversation,
reading, and relaxation. (Not sure where I read about the concept of
an away room, but it might have been in the book "The Not So Big
House.") The away room is geared more for adults, and you said that it
needs to be for the whole family, but it sounds like you already have
multiple spaces for the kids.
I would furnish it with house plants (but think about how you're going
to keep water from getting on the floor), use relaxing colors (greens,
earth tones) with colorful accents, and work toward having a couple
comfortable chairs, a lamp or two, side or coffee tables and an area
rug. Ikea is a good source for inexpensive furniture. "On the cheap"
is relative, but we recently got some Eames molded plastic armchairs
(think bowling alley) for $250 each that are surprisingly comfortable.
You'd have to like modern to like these, but what I'm getting at is to
think outside the box when looking for furniture. I made an
inexpensive but sturdy endtable by putting a piece of scrap granite on
top of a wicker storage chest from Pier 1. The granite was the sink
cutout from our counter––granite installers end up with scraps, and you
might be able to find one who will cut a scrap to size pretty
inexpensively.
Another idea is that it could make a great exercise room––get a
stability ball, yoga mats, free weights, etc. and you have your own
exercise studio.
Julianne X
wac...@AOL.com
1/8/2006 1:12:30 PM
Here's what I did with my family room. First of all, I bought a carpet
remnant and saved myself a bundle. The room isn't that large either so
finding a remnant was easy and it was a very good grade of carpet that
I only paid a small fee to have laid down professionally. I bought one
couch that opens up into a bed just in case I had extra company. I got
one on sale, but shopped around to find a good one that had an
ultra–suede fabric that was washable (very important in my house). I
do have a big screen TV in there and my kids play their video games in
there too. I have my treadmill in there as well which folds up for
storage. Instead of buying expensive window treatments, I bought
inexpensive bamboo shades which add a little ambiance to the room. I
had some old movie posters that I had already gotten framed and I
painted the room a nice warm color and bought a nice ceiling fan with
lighting fixture. Truthfully, I splurged on the fan because I wanted
one in particular and didn't want to compromise. It wasn't overly
expensive, but it was more than I wanted to spend, but I'm happy that I
got it. I added some wicker storage units which I got in walmart. I
use these for CDs, DVDs, books I'm currently reading and magazines.
Also, I watch a lot of design shows like "Design on a Dime" to get
inexpensive decorating ideas.
Good luck to you!
Susan
http://susansspa.blogspot.com/
remnant and saved myself a bundle. The room isn't that large either so
finding a remnant was easy and it was a very good grade of carpet that
I only paid a small fee to have laid down professionally. I bought one
couch that opens up into a bed just in case I had extra company. I got
one on sale, but shopped around to find a good one that had an
ultra–suede fabric that was washable (very important in my house). I
do have a big screen TV in there and my kids play their video games in
there too. I have my treadmill in there as well which folds up for
storage. Instead of buying expensive window treatments, I bought
inexpensive bamboo shades which add a little ambiance to the room. I
had some old movie posters that I had already gotten framed and I
painted the room a nice warm color and bought a nice ceiling fan with
lighting fixture. Truthfully, I splurged on the fan because I wanted
one in particular and didn't want to compromise. It wasn't overly
expensive, but it was more than I wanted to spend, but I'm happy that I
got it. I added some wicker storage units which I got in walmart. I
use these for CDs, DVDs, books I'm currently reading and magazines.
Also, I watch a lot of design shows like "Design on a Dime" to get
inexpensive decorating ideas.
Good luck to you!
Susan
http://susansspa.blogspot.com/
"caryper...@aol.com" <caryperk39@aol.com>
1/8/2006 8:25:18 PM
How about a guest room/office? If you start by adding a futon or a
sleeper couch or daybed, you'll have room for company, and on a daily
basis you can use the room for spending time on the computer, managing
your household accounts & bills, reading, and even a spot for a cozy
nap or a moment of quiet from the rest of the world.
cary
sleeper couch or daybed, you'll have room for company, and on a daily
basis you can use the room for spending time on the computer, managing
your household accounts & bills, reading, and even a spot for a cozy
nap or a moment of quiet from the rest of the world.
cary
wac...@AOL.com
1/8/2006 2:15:42 PM
I'm posting my answer again, since the last time I posted, it never
went through (thanks Google!). We did over a spare bedroom a couple of
years ago and made it into a family room. I picked two things to
splurge on (a big screen TV and a new sofabed). I saved on all other
items. We painted the room and got a carpet remnant. I got a very
good grade of carpet, but because it was a remnant it was less than 50
percent than it's original value. For a small fee I had the carpet
store install it. I bought roll up bamboo blinds for the windows and
bought wicker storage units for CDs, DVDs, books and magazines. I also
got a really nice ceiling fan/light in Lowes. I hung some framed movie
posters that I already had and that was it. I get a lot of ideas from
watching shows like "Design on a Dime" so I try to get bargains
whereever I go. TJ Maxx and Marshalls is great for small home
furnishings like throw pillows and accent pieces. Good luck!
Susan
http://susansspa.blogspot.com/
went through (thanks Google!). We did over a spare bedroom a couple of
years ago and made it into a family room. I picked two things to
splurge on (a big screen TV and a new sofabed). I saved on all other
items. We painted the room and got a carpet remnant. I got a very
good grade of carpet, but because it was a remnant it was less than 50
percent than it's original value. For a small fee I had the carpet
store install it. I bought roll up bamboo blinds for the windows and
bought wicker storage units for CDs, DVDs, books and magazines. I also
got a really nice ceiling fan/light in Lowes. I hung some framed movie
posters that I already had and that was it. I get a lot of ideas from
watching shows like "Design on a Dime" so I try to get bargains
whereever I go. TJ Maxx and Marshalls is great for small home
furnishings like throw pillows and accent pieces. Good luck!
Susan
http://susansspa.blogspot.com/
"ahmward" <nospam.ahmw...@yahoo.com>
1/9/2006 9:09:41 AM
<caryper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1136780718.864999.132...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
How about a guest room/office? If you start by adding a futon or a
sleeper couch or daybed, you'll have room for company, and on a daily
basis you can use the room for spending time on the computer, managing
your household accounts & bills, reading, and even a spot for a cozy
nap or a moment of quiet from the rest of the world.
cary
We built an extra room off the kitchen. The main piece of furniture is sleeper couch or daybed, you'll have room for company, and on a daily
basis you can use the room for spending time on the computer, managing
your household accounts & bills, reading, and even a spot for a cozy
nap or a moment of quiet from the rest of the world.
cary
a sofa bed that pulls out to queen size. There is a small table on one
side of it and a great floor lamp on the other side to provide good
additional lighting. I am sitting at the computer desk and next to it
there is a small table with my printer/fax/copier and then floor to
ceiling bookcases with cupboards in the bottom half that I had built
specifically for the wall. Behind me there is DH's Euro Cave, boxes of
wine that are waiting their turn to fit in the Euro Cave, an inexpensive
bookcase from Office Max and a few boxes from the Container Store where
I keep my stuff. The wall against the back yard has a large closet from
Target where the girls keep extra clothes and there are windows on each
side of this closet. Finally DH's Nordic Trac is angled to face the
corner of this part of the room since there are two windows that are
positioned to face the west and north sides of the yard. He looks at a
large orange tree and smaller grapefruit tree as well as at part of the
vegetable garden when he exercises.
This room suits our varied needs and has been a wonderful addition to
the house.
Audrey
"Michelle" <fakeemaila...@huh.com>
1/11/2006 2:57:39 PM
Crispee,
A small wine bar or cart might be nice. We turned a cabinet (RTA) from
Target into one. We installed an under–cabinet wine glass holder under one
shelf and put a small wine rack on the other. The funny thing is my husband
and I rarely drink alcohol, but it's nice for when guests come over. Plus
it's a nice decorative touch for the living room.
<juliann...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1136667799.537787.191...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
A small wine bar or cart might be nice. We turned a cabinet (RTA) from
Target into one. We installed an under–cabinet wine glass holder under one
shelf and put a small wine rack on the other. The funny thing is my husband
and I rarely drink alcohol, but it's nice for when guests come over. Plus
it's a nice decorative touch for the living room.
<juliann...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1136667799.537787.191...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Crispee wrote:
This room sounds like the perfect "away room." This is a room where
people can get away from TV, noise, etc. for quiet conversation,
reading, and relaxation. (Not sure where I read about the concept of
an away room, but it might have been in the book "The Not So Big
House.") The away room is geared more for adults, and you said that it
needs to be for the whole family, but it sounds like you already have
multiple spaces for the kids.
I would furnish it with house plants (but think about how you're going
to keep water from getting on the floor), use relaxing colors (greens,
earth tones) with colorful accents, and work toward having a couple
comfortable chairs, a lamp or two, side or coffee tables and an area
rug. Ikea is a good source for inexpensive furniture. "On the cheap"
is relative, but we recently got some Eames molded plastic armchairs
(think bowling alley) for $250 each that are surprisingly comfortable.
You'd have to like modern to like these, but what I'm getting at is to
think outside the box when looking for furniture. I made an
inexpensive but sturdy endtable by putting a piece of scrap granite on
top of a wicker storage chest from Pier 1. The granite was the sink
cutout from our counter––granite installers end up with scraps, and you
might be able to find one who will cut a scrap to size pretty
inexpensively.
Another idea is that it could make a great exercise room––get a
stability ball, yoga mats, free weights, etc. and you have your own
exercise studio.
Julianne X
This room sounds like the perfect "away room." This is a room where
people can get away from TV, noise, etc. for quiet conversation,
reading, and relaxation. (Not sure where I read about the concept of
an away room, but it might have been in the book "The Not So Big
House.") The away room is geared more for adults, and you said that it
needs to be for the whole family, but it sounds like you already have
multiple spaces for the kids.
I would furnish it with house plants (but think about how you're going
to keep water from getting on the floor), use relaxing colors (greens,
earth tones) with colorful accents, and work toward having a couple
comfortable chairs, a lamp or two, side or coffee tables and an area
rug. Ikea is a good source for inexpensive furniture. "On the cheap"
is relative, but we recently got some Eames molded plastic armchairs
(think bowling alley) for $250 each that are surprisingly comfortable.
You'd have to like modern to like these, but what I'm getting at is to
think outside the box when looking for furniture. I made an
inexpensive but sturdy endtable by putting a piece of scrap granite on
top of a wicker storage chest from Pier 1. The granite was the sink
cutout from our counter––granite installers end up with scraps, and you
might be able to find one who will cut a scrap to size pretty
inexpensively.
Another idea is that it could make a great exercise room––get a
stability ball, yoga mats, free weights, etc. and you have your own
exercise studio.
Julianne X