flowers

I spent yesterday in Nashville planning and hoping and dreaming and I’m so excited to tell you about the Designer’s Showcase in October.

I’m part of the design team for House for Hope.  It’s a modern farmhouse being constructed by a local builder and they have assigned rooms to different designers and I have the upstairs game room over the garage.

And after they build it and I design it and decorate it and it goes on tour in October of this year, the house will be sold and the profits will be used to help local organizations.

And so of course, I want to bring it.

Bring it like it’s never been brung before.

Mike drop.

That’s where you come in.  I’m looking for unique ideas and projects and built-ins you might have done or seen before.  Nothing is off-limits.  The more incredible the better.  I want to dream big with this room and create a game room that stops them in their tracks so let’s discuss any ideas you may have in the comments.

I can’t wait to take you on this journey with me.

Here’s to building big and designing and dreaming up the most amazing game room ever. 🙂

dining_room

Love this spring table set for Easter.

The individual place settings would make Peter Rabbit smile.

See the entire space here.

the_handmade_home-kitchen

Great advice on decorating a space.

Don’t get in a hurry.  Don’t get overwhelmed.

Just let it simmer.

fabric-envelope-thanks-you-note

I hope letters never go out of style.

And this easy fabric envelope project is perfect for a hand-written note.

Simple DIY found here.

Easter-eggs-on-wood-spindles-craft-atthepicketfence.com_

Here’s a simple Easter craft.

Perfect for your next mantel.

Easy DIY found here.

And in random news this week:

This post inspired me.

Great behind the scenes post about being a blogger.

Adding personality to a white kitchen.

How to create a mud room.

Love this easy DIY.

And these easy headboard ideas?  Seriously.

build-giant-abacus

And one more for the road.

Still one of my favorite DIY’s ever.

How to build a giant abacus.

Happy Random Saturday to you!

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Michelle Rudis Michelle Rudis

    Oh how exciting! And what a great cause!!! Congrats on the game room acquisition, Karianne!!!! Ok off the top of my head one of the cutest additions I saw once in a game room was a snack bar. And the usual games are pool and darts but what about a miniature bowling lane or a themed twist on a bean bag toss? Ooo, I know!! How about a little stage for impromptu skits when the wall-mounted TV at the back of the stage isn't being played? (I might be adding to this post more than once...just warnin' ya!)

    1. Image for Gwen Gwen

      And have curtains for the skit area that make it seem so real. With a nice trunk full of fun costumes to slip over clothes for any kind of play you'd want. And cushy rugs or benches for the audience to watch that flip and become the seating for a game table for Jenna, Yahtzee, parcheesi, monopoly, all these retro games

  2. Image for david david

    if it would be of any help (and I know it's not a project or a built in) I'd be happy to donate a set of my Bingo Coasters for the Game Room. Or (brainstorming) I could send you the images for them and maybe they could be blown up and turned into wall art? They are colorful but the design is my own and we could tailor the colors to your design scheme. Good luck with the room. I'll enjoy watching its evolution. David

  3. Image for karen karen

    Put a huge chalkboard even a wall so people can write on it or keep score,people love to draw on chalkboards. Maybe a huge lego board with the legos to make designs..................................................... Very best of luck I know you will be creative.

  4. Image for Kathleen Hall Kathleen Hall

    Great ideas! What about a "hidden wall" or part of a wall...could be a shelving area or a storage area that actually swings out (or revolves if you want to get real fancy!) and reveals another room, even if a small area...adds a touch of whimsy and fun. Can't wait to see what is created!!

  5. Image for Leona Leona

    I am sure you have it all in your head.......like Joanna Gaines :) and off the top of mine.......enlarged bingo cards or playing cards in frames.....Bocce Balls in a basket...... A scrabble wall, or enlarged scrabble blocks ( your brother can help).... racing stripes......... and of course your fabric line

  6. Image for Winnie Winnie

    All your 'followers' have such great ideas, but sadly I'm not a very creative gal. However, regarding the fabric envelopes, I wanted to add that I once used to make envelopes from magazine pages (like Victoria magazine with all the flower and other beautiful vintage pictures in it). Before glueing up the envelopes, I would cut a blank muslin label out with pinking shears and machine stitch it with a fairly long stitch to the front and then use a fine permanent marker to write addresses on as needed! People loved them!! Your room will be fabulous with all these ideas combined with your own creativity ~ can't wait to see it! Congratulations on being invited to participate.

  7. Image for Mary Crozier Mary Crozier

    I recently discovered Pixers and used this wallpaper in a very small bathroom-but they have other fabulous scenes to make the room spectacular. https://pixersize.com/wallmurals/woman-strolling-in-paris-55224789 I also recently took a small closet and bought an old armoire, cut off the back so it looked like a piece of furniture until you opened it and you could walk in--think secret closet...kids love secret hiding places. I can send you a picture if you'd like. They were smart to pick you to design this room. Can't wait to see it!!

  8. Image for Renea McAfee Renea McAfee

    I have wanted to see someone do something more industrial than just pipe shelving.... Think large factory cart inspired..... Perhaps something that is part builtins and part factory cart banquette. Possibly attach pipe ladder to reach things and maybe even an upper bunk/ reading nook with iron pipe railing. Attach cogs and wheels to the back of some of the shelves. Email me! :)

  9. Image for Donnamae Donnamae

    I'm excited you get to design a game room! We have one in our lower level...and it got quite a bit of use with my 3 teenagers. We have a sitting area with a fireplace...a pool table, dart board...and another seating area with a tv. The frig is nearby...it's a must! I don't have any ingenious ideas, except plan for lots of storage...games require lots of accessories! I can't wait to see what you come up with...this is going to be fun to watch! ;)

  10. Image for Wendy Wendy

    I have lots (over 100) of game boards I could send you if you're interested in framing them or maybe cover a wall similar to what you did with the shutters. Some are vintage , some newer & lots of scrabble boards.

  11. Image for Kris Kris

    This may seem a bit odd, but what about creating a sensory area for kids with autism or other sensory disorders? Here is one link, but there are many sources out there. https://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-room.html

  12. Image for Donna Weigel Donna Weigel

    Beware of what you ask for...hubby is out-of-town and I am bored so here goes... My thoughts are that you should remain true to your gorgeous personal style that you are so famous for but mix it up in an unexpected way. I can imagine white storage shelves with bin pull drawer fronts and the face frame could be barnwood or pallet wood in it's natural finish. It would be fun to pull your brother into it by having him create a table on industrial wheels so it can be easily moved as needed and the top could be pieced together pallet or barn wood and some of the pieces could be made to look like games pieces incorporated into it. You could do a similar effect on the wall behind the open shelves. So in other words, some of the pallet pieces could be painted to look like chinese checker boards or scrabble tiles or dominoes, etc. You could even do them in muted, distressed colors or with just a little of the brighter colors showing through a distressed finish. I love one of the ideas above of wire baskets filled with billiard balls, etc. and also a snack nook with a mini-fridge. I made a mood board on Pic-Monkey but can't figure out how to send it to you......Anyhow, have a blast putting together your room! Can't wait to see what you do!

  13. Image for Peg Peg

    All I know is I wouldn't want it gimmicky. I'd love neutrals with a hint of blue. I'd also love different areas, a tv viewing area with a huge sectional, a card playing or puzzle building area, a cozy nook for reading area with a well worn leather chair, perhaps a fireplace for toasting marshmellows, a place that reminds you of simpler times, a place you would never want to leave!! So happy for you and can't wait for this adventure!!

  14. Image for Joanne B. Joanne B.

    I just saw such cute idea in (I'm pretty sure) the latest Grandin Road catalog- it was 4 separate game boards on the wall- Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Backgammon and Parches. They serve as alice bright graphic art and it's functional too - just take a board off the wall to play and then it's easy to store when not in use! it's just so inviting to take one off the wall and play a game! I thought that was brilliant!

  15. Image for Gwen Gwen

    It's a game room and my nephew combined history and Lego building and acting --of the titanic. Would be great to have a Lego area with a Lego wall or research what's the newest way to play Legos. But every kid I know just loves them. Storage. A space to gather what's needed. Building plans laminated. Surface to build on. Free play too. Light box too using clear box with Christmas type LED lights for observation of objects illuminated by light. A dance bar. Dance floor. Hop scotch on floor with pieces part of wall decor so they're always handy Lights with cages around them for cool look but also safety Game look implies lockers somewhere Science center Art eenter

  16. Image for Lisa at celebrate creativity Lisa at celebrate creativity

    What a wonderful project, KariAnne. I know you're going to create a beautiful game room and it sounds like it's going to be so much fun. OK, one my favorite game room projects is something I did myself. For years we had a ton of video games and movies piled up all over our basement. We also have a huge wall behind the stairs that created a weird aisle that was totally wasted space. You know where I'm going with this, right? I picked up wall slats/shelving from my local Blockbusters which was closing and created a video game/movie wall. I also got some of those big cardboard letters from the crafts store, spray painted them for a fun title, added some movie and game memorabilia and now it's a good looking and useful space. I've written several posts about it. I've read through all the ideas from your other readers and you're getting some nice ideas and inspiration from everyone. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished room. (Take pictures of the other rooms in the house too because I'm sure I won't get to Nashville for the tour-lol) Good luck with the game room. P.S. Thanks for being a fan of letter writing.

  17. Image for Kristin @ Pink Camellias Kristin @ Pink Camellias

    Wow! Congratulations, KariAnne! I think whatever you do will be great! The only thing I could add is keep it simple, and keep it true to your style. I'm thinking a chalkboard to keep score, lots of burlap and linen, a fun bingo set like this: https://www.target.com/p/state-fair-bingo-game/-/A-12800400 Maybe artwork could be enlarged vintage cards? (Black and white?) Or, you could make a distressed checkerboard and hang it on the wall? https://www.oldgameboards.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=39&product_id=111 Would be cute to do a backgammon one as well! A pretty armoire to hold all the game boards? (painted in chalk paint) https://www.chairish.com/product/240126/french-oak-two-door-armoire A couple of four person game tables with cute chairs: https://www.worldmarket.com/product/wood+and+rattan+syena+dining+chairs%2C+set+of+2.do?&from=fn A vintage Pachinko pinball machine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Japanese-Nishijin-Super-Deluxe-Pachinko-Pinball-Machine-/262286657860?hash=item3d1180c944:g:s-cAAOSwDuJWvQNO Can't wait to see what you do!

  18. Image for Patricia Patricia

    After reading all the absolutely fabulous ideas from your readers, I can't wait to see this game room. Lots and lots of great ideas. As a secret room lover, I'm totally behind the secret opening behind an amoire. How Narnia! Maybe do a sublte salute to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. And I love love love costumes or a dress up box of props to go with a stage. Is this game room for kids or adults or everybody? Craft corner, places to put up art creations, love a giant chalf board... How do you decide?

  19. Image for jennifer farnes jennifer farnes

    i am so happy for you, my friend! what fun to go hog-wild in a game room. one idea is to find (costly, rare) antique game boards and hang them on the walls....or you could make your own and distress them to make them look old. i have a board on my pinterest board if you want some ideas (the chronicles of farina). i saw an idea where jo from magnolia farms made an entire lego wall in a room for a boy in one of her episodes. i've seen table tops made of legos as well. i also think that being a game room...with all those game players working up a hearty appetite and thirst and it being some distance from the kitchen...it requires a soda fountain complete with a mini fridge and even a stove in bright red or at the very least a microwave. make the entire room all old school...a big old barrel in the corner with a checkerboard on top and if you can find one...a pinball machine. we had one in our house at one time and it was the most fun ever! i will be anxious to see what magic you create.

  20. Image for Mindy Whipple Mindy Whipple

    What a great project for you - excited to follow along. Love the white kitchen inspiration with just bits of color but I was mostly distracted by your chalkboard door and the song quote - love...

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