Attic Family Room

This unused attic is the perfect place for a colorful family room.

Designers' Challenge : Episode DSC-1213 -- More Projects »
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Before: Chris and Deborah Gagnon want to turn this 100-year-old attic into a gathering spot for their family. They'd like to enhance the character of the room by keeping the unfinished brick of the chimney and the exposed beams.
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After: A comfortable seating area surrounds the chimney that now features a plasma TV. Beadboard wainscoting adds a turn-of-the-century look. A soft pearl white is used for the trim and cabinetry while a buff color adds interest to the walls.
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Before: They would like to add an entertainment area that incorporates play space for the kids, pachinko (a Japanese game) machines for the adults and a kitchenette. In addition, they need seating and plenty of storage for the kids' toys.
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After: The new play area is perfect for adults and kids complete with a puppet theatre and arcade games. The kitchenette provides the essentials to relax without having to run downstairs for snacks.
Manhattanites Chris and Deborah Gagnon took a grand leap across the river to the suburb of Weehawken, N.J., after they found their dream house to raise their family. This century-old, three-story home came with the hidden treasure of an unused attic that seemed perfect to transform into a family room on a budget of $30,000.

After looking over the designers' plans, the Gagnons choose Tom Conway to create a fun family room with lots of great colors. The pachinko (a Japanese game) machines fit nicely into a custom cabinet and there's plenty of storage and multifunctional furniture. The kitchenette provides the essentials so that they won't have to keep running downstairs to the main kitchen. The Gagnons are thrilled with how Conway turned the odd space into a colorful, kid-friendly room that feels like a weekend retreat.

puppet theater, built-in cabinetry - Custom Creations
sectional sofa
(3601, Main Street in Camel Techno Microfiber, VanGuard) - NIV Interior Design
custom-bound area rug
(Aloe Verde/18355, Karastan, Kent Place) - The Square Yard
pendant lights
(Sophia, HL0621, Dark Waxed Bronze Finish); wall sconces (Judith, IS1094, Dark Waxed Bronze Finish) - Remains Lighting
lounge chairs
(Amherst Swivel Glider, 188-646); bar stools (Madison); leather lounge chair (Club Recliner, 363-685); coffee table (Cordova, 331-708) - Crate & Barrel
plasma TV
(SP-P4251) - Samsung

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Resources
decorative project materials
Custom Creations
Phone: 813-659-2924
Fax: 813-752-3403
decorative project materials
NIV Interior Design
Website: www.nivdesign.net

decorative project materials
The Square Yard
Website: www.squareyard.com

decorative project materials
Remains Lighting
Website: www.remains.com

appliances
Samsung
Website: www.samsung.com
Guests
Heather Higgins, ASID
Designer, Higgins Design Studio
55 E. 9th St.
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-353-2219
Fax: 212-995-9691
E-mail: hh@higginsdesignstudio.com
Website: www.higginsdesignstudio.com

Thomas A. Conway
Director of Design, The Rosen Group
16 Maple St.
Summit, NJ 07901
Phone: 908-273-6565
Fax: 908-273-1248
Website: www.rosengroup.net

Ron Wagner, ASID, NCIDQ
Designer, Wagner Van Dam Design & Decoration
Website: www.wagnervandam.com

Timothy Van Dam, ASID, NCIDQ
Designer, Wagner Van Dam Design & Decoration
Website: www.wagnervandam.com
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