It seems almost a rite of passage for kids, as they grow, to want a spot to hang out that allows for some independence, freedom of expression and, of course, secret sharing. For decades, that designated spot has been the basement. “Rec rooms of the past often followed a typical formula of sectional seating with TV and then a play area with toys or maybe a ping pong table,” notes Lina Galvão, co-founder and a principal designer at Curated Nest. But families are increasingly looking for more design, more luxury and more personality in their recreation spaces. The trend toward more sophisticated and curated recreation spaces has led to customized and multifunctional designs. Among the design features getting integrated today are golf simulators, screening rooms, craft rooms, music studios and more; and the various game tables intended for poker, foosball, mahjong and other games, which were before utilitarian and basic, are now becoming statement design features that say something about the homeowner’s aesthetic, personality and lifestyle. “Almost all rec spaces continue to be multifunctional, which for us makes them extra challenging and fun to design,” she adds.
Knowing the function of a space is critical because it forms the basis of the interior design program and how it ties to the rest of the house. From there, adds Stephanie Rapp, owner and principal designer at Stephanie Rapp Interiors, you can build a design concept and color palette. These two pros share recent design projects in which they helped their clients transform their lower levels into a dream space for the kids, inspired by art, nature and the secret bond of friendship.
Teen Hangout
When Stephanie Rapp’s clients came to her to transform their basement into a dreamy retreat, she sat down with the family to determine what they needed. “We quickly ascertained that the space was all about their young teen daughter,” says Rapp of the lower-level recreation space she designed for this Westport, CT, home. While the family wanted to be able to join in the fun sometimes, “the concept was to create an area where she could hang out with her friends, as well as have sleepovers.”
To maximize the functionality of the home’s lower level, Rapp first removed walls and added a beam, creating an open living area. Then she focused on creating specialty spaces within the living area that would have their own purpose. To define the television sitting area, Rapp covered the ceiling in a Monet-inspired Romo wallpaper, which became the jumping off point for the color scheme.
Pulling colors from the wallcovering, she wove teal through the décor as a unifying element: a teal ottoman in the TV area doubles as a coffee table for drinks and snacks; pops of teal, pink and yellow are reflected in the artwork chosen throughout; and in the Secret Room, she color-drenched the walls to create a cozy, closed-off lounge space.
The Secret Room, made for sleepover nights, sharing secrets and phone-scrolling, is hidden behind a bookshelf as a surprise. This dark and cozy room with ground level lounge chairs also has a small kitchenette area for snacks and beverages.
In the TV area, comfort and easy clean-up take priority. The designer chose a large, upholstered sectional in a Lee performance fabric to do the heavy lifting. “Extra wide chaises leave room for sleepy bodies after a movie,” adds Rapp. “The teal boucle on the ottoman is also performance and in a deliberate dark shade to withstand spreading out.” To finish the look, Rapp chose throw pillows in dark velvet and a fluffy white polka dot, and a wool rug underfoot that is easy to clean due to wool’s protective natural oils, and offers another fun, graphic pattern.
“My favorite aspect about this finished basement project,” says Rapp, “is that we were able to create a livable and fun lounge out of a very undesirable space and do so with the extra special surprise element of the secret room we created behind a seemingly ordinary bookshelf.”
Sweet Sanctuary
When Galvão’s Northern Westchester clients called for a girlie getaway space for their three little daughters, 3-year-old twins and a 6-year-old, she leaned on pretty pastels and soft textures to make the space feel like a calming retreat for kids and adults alike. “The hand-painted mural on the climbing wall is a perfect example of where the palette comes to life,” adds Galvão, who called on the artistic talents of Westchester-based Sabrina’s Murals. It was important for the clients that the girls have zones for imaginative play, quiet reading, physical play and arts and crafts. “Our approach was to use architecture to define different zones and create separation, so the space felt more intentional and not overly expansive,” she adds.
The only existing obstacle was a floating staircase, which they could not remove. “We decided to enclose it to create walls and built-in cabinet storage as well as a ‘secret room’ under the stairs, which became the girls’ playhouse,” says Galvão, who worked with DTF Rosemount on the construction of the entire project. Inside the playhouse, a small play kitchen, and ice cream wallpaper invite the imagination in. A Dutch door allows the girls to keep the door open and closed all at once.
By creating the playhouse “the whole floor plan was completely changed,” she adds. From there, they designed a teepee nook for reading, a clear area for a craft table and lots of supply storage, a sitting area for adults with dress-up wardrobes for the kids and, in an existing nook which happened to have the highest ceilings, a play area complete with climbing wall, mirrors and ballet barre. While the color palette is light and bright, Curated Nest ensured the design was all about durability. Galvão selected performance materials for every upholstered surface. The side chairs are designed for the outdoors with fabric rated to repel moisture and spills. The carpeted floor feels cozy and warm but is also stain resistant, and in high traffic areas she layered area rugs for extra protection. “The craft area rug is actually a custom (and stylish) vinyl mat for easy wipeability for paint splatters and messes!” says Galvão.
