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Rec Room Rethink

Photography by Stacey Brandford

Posted on Dec 16, 2011

Front view of rec room showing grey sofa with cozy pillows and big red rug

The Look

A large-scale room needn’t be overwhelming. If you bookend the space by painting the walls at opposite ends of the room in an intense hue, it helps shrink the distance. Keep the side walls a neutral tone, such as grey. The overall effect will be light and impactful.

Paints - Walls: Stainless (P5244-24), ceiling: Jetstream SR18 (P2103-04), trim: Snowfall SR29 (P5223-14D) Sarah Richardson Designer Palette for Para Paints Red floor lamps, drapery hardware, picture frames on shelves, throw, glasses, IKEA Pool table, Brunswick Billiards Pine coffee table, Elegant Garage Sale Metal side tables, Rich Brilliant Willing

View from behind the couch and table of the Rec room, showing various chairs and couches

Have A Quick Bite Spot

A dining table isn’t often a top priority in media rooms, but imagine how practical it’d be to have a place to eat before the lights go down. Use it, too, as a console table, an extra work surface and even a craft/project area.

Moroccan side table, FOC. Lantern light fixture, Artcraft Lighting. Metal-frame side chairs, wood X-base console and bookcases, metal chairs, G.H. Johnson’s

Rug Close up

Plush Underfoot

Subterranean spaces aren’t known for emitting a warm and cozy vibe, but that’s easily altered if you install a cozy covering underfoot. I think a Heriz carpet is a wonderful way to bring vibrant colour and graphic pattern. The dense patterning also proves very forgiving. (Stain? What stain?)

Area rug, Karakashian.

Details of grey couch showing pillow colour combinations and blanket

Give A Nod To Man Caves

Blending windowpane-check pillows with oversized block-print floral cushions against a backdrop of grey flannel upholstery is a good bet, working for both sexes. If considering wool for upholstery, do the “rub test” to confirm that your textile won’t pill with frequent wear.

Sofa, loveseat, Sarah Richardson Design. Wool fabric on sofa and loveseat, Designer Fabrics. Red paisley Schumacher fabric on grey chairs, striped Schumacher drape fabric, Bilbrough & Co.

Close up of wooden antique chairs showing the details of red paisley seat and arm covers

Look For Vintage At Bargain Prices

Outfitting a room with new upholstered furnishings can get costly. Well-priced vintage pieces extend your budget and prevent the room from feeling too heavy. These open armchairs, found for a song at Kijiji.com, were transformed with fresh paint and a peppy paisley print.

Lattice-back chairs, Kijiji, painted in Clouds Roll In (P5204-62) Sarah Richardson Designer Palette for Para Paints

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