For many who share an enthusiastic outlook on the fun of entertaining at residence, creating an inviting environment the place company can loosen up, combine, and mingle can overwhelm even the savviest hosts. Whether or not it’s an area to experiment with libations, or unwind after dinner over a pleasant recreation of billiards or playing cards, inside designer Caron Woolsey of CW Interiors is aware of simply find out how to set the temper — no vibe checks required.
Over the previous eight years, The Woodlands-based Woolsey and her devoted staff of seven have cultivated a sequence of distinctive purchasers — assume scuba divers, poker lovers, and artists. Whereas conventional clientele stay on the forefront of CW Interiors, Woolsey has carved a formidable area of interest for herself as the go-to designer for these on the lookout for a little bit one thing additional. Deeply moody hues, mirrored ceilings, and enviable tasting rooms aren’t off the desk for this daring designer. Intrigued, CultureMap caught up with Woolsey to study extra about easing folks out of their consolation zones and to gather ideas for the way Houstonians can create distinctive leisure areas of their very own.
“We wish to get folks comfortably outdoors their consolation zone, and particularly with recreation rooms,” says Woolsey. “That’s sort of an area the place you may have permission to perhaps have a little bit extra enjoyable.”
Mixing bespoke functions and furnishings with acquainted traces similar to Visible Consolation, Restoration {Hardware}, Jonathan Adler, Arhaus, and CB2 helps maintain areas grounded and attainable. If an unconventional thought takes maintain, don’t be discouraged by contractors who could not really feel up for the duty — like putting in a bronzed mirrored ceiling in a whiskey tasting room.
Maybe Woolsey’s tenacity is the important thing to her success: “We’ve the concept, we run with it, after which we maintain asking folks to do it till somebody says sure.”
Woolsey gently guides purchasers by incorporating parts of their hobbies and pursuits, with out permitting something that’s too on-the-nose to take form. “It’s about encapsulating a part of their persona and bringing that out within the design. I feel that’s why you get to see a lot of sort of a loopy wow consider these areas,” she says.
Take, for example, a billiard room designed for an avid scuba diver. A daring, oceanic porcelain hearth encompass is taken as much as the ceiling to copy the sensation of being underwater. No have to go full Blue Lagoon to get the purpose throughout.
For a Cosmopolitan Lodge-inspired poker site for a Las Vegas-loving CFO, Woolsey opted for a sensible concrete ground with easily-interchangeable carpet tiles from Flor that would stand up to spills on a energetic poker evening.
“Kind follows operate,” says Woolsey. “We ask how they intend to make use of the area. Is it only for them? Is it going to be a spot the place they entertain? As a result of that may dictate the supplies that we select when it comes to sturdiness and livability.”
To convey some softness to the area, a reupholstered vintage sofa as soon as belonging to the consumer’s grandmother was added. Additionally price noting, the duty of constructing the bespoke poker desk, full with built-in lighting, was taken on by Mr. CFO himself. Woolsey selected a energetic patterned wallpaper from Spoonflower, noting that their willingness to customise scale is what makes this wallpaper firm a agency favourite.
Shoppers downsizing from an 8,000-square-foot residence to 4,000 sq. toes needed to discover a technique to incorporate as a lot of their furnishings as potential. A spare bed room discovered new life as a New Orleans-inspired speakeasy and lounge, with the closet being transformed to a dry bar.
“We ask what their desires are for the area; what are their favourite issues on the planet,” says Woolsey. “If this room may very well be something they needed, what makes them the happiest? Then, as soon as they inform us that sort of factor — we aren’t going to be themey — however that would be the leaping off level to begin the design within the route the place it units the tone for the place the place they really feel comfy anytime they stroll into the area.”
Farrow and Ball Hague Blue paint, an vintage door from Louisiana, plus vintage mirror glass all mix seamlessly with a portray of St. Louis Cathedral, a pointed nod to the Crescent Metropolis, however in a chic and delicate approach — the Woolsey approach.
It’s not solely grownup purchasers who admire the CW Interiors remedy. Woolsey has additionally created areas for youngsters who want their very own area. A classy mix of British salon class and rogue deco aptitude, the shared teen area channels each refinement and artistic rise up. Deep hues, curated curiosities, and layered textures set the scene for late-night puzzles, gaming marathons, and bursts of inventive expression.
“It’s a room with presence: a little bit posh, a little bit unruly, and fully theirs,” says Woolsey.
Woolsey shares these 5 professional ideas for getting began on a recreation room:
Decide to a transparent perspective, then edit with self-discipline. A memorable area begins with a centered idea. Whether or not the temper is wealthy and layered or sculptural and architectural, each resolution ought to reinforce that imaginative and prescient. A bronze mirrored ceiling or blue stained paneling makes its impression when it isn’t competing for consideration. Modifying is what makes the drama really feel elegant as a substitute of chaotic.
Design the structure round purposeful enjoyable. Poker and pool aren’t afterthoughts. A customized poker desk ought to really feel prefer it belongs within the room, not prefer it was wheeled in for the weekend. A pool desk turns into a sculptural second when it is scaled and positioned with intention. Create clear zones for video games, lounging, dialog, and cocktails. The room ought to move, however every operate deserves its personal sense of place.
Let the artwork set the tone, not the theme. No gimmicks, no kitsch. Artwork in a recreation room can nonetheless be daring, however it ought to really feel curated. Outsized images, a sculptural set up, or a sequence of layered items convey persona with out tipping into novelty. It’s about sophistication with a perspective.
Texture is the place the luxurious lives. That is the place the area earns its decadence. Bronze mirrored ceilings, blue stained paneling, porcelain partitions, dramatic wallpaper, and unlacquered brass all contribute to a layered, immersive setting. Each floor ought to really feel thought-about. Each end ought to add depth.
Prioritize consolation above all else. Luxurious doesn’t imply formal. It means considerate, tactile, and livable. The seating needs to be low, plush, and completely pitched for lengthy nights of dialog or playing cards. Upholstery ought to really feel elevated however carry out superbly. Lighting ought to shift with the temper. Brighter for poker evening. Softer for a bourbon and a document.
