When I was a kid, my cousins and I used to spend a lot of time in the big room of our grandparent's basement. It was called the rumpus room and it was our youthful domain. I am not sure if that is a common term or if it was unique to our family but I spent many hours of fun in that room well into my teenage years. For the most part we roamed unsupervised but since it was only an earshot away from the adults busy visiting upstairs, a "grown up" would be sure to appear if there was an outburst of children's tears or the basement became suspiciously quiet.
I had forgotten the term "rumpus room" until recently when I toured one of our vacant projects to prepare a staging bid. The home was brand new and the main floor had a formal living room and a family room already but the owners were keen to have the basement staged as well.
Upon descending the stairs I was instantly reminded of the times I spent in my grandparent's basement. When I was designing the room I wanted it to have a modern yet comfortably playful feel. Incorporating bright pillows, a large comfy sectional and transitional occasional tables was key to creating my version of a modern rumpus room. Call it nostalgia but for once I won't be upset if the pillows end up all over the floor and there is popcorn in the couch!
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Jackson -- we had "rumpus rooms" when I was growing up in California too! Love the outcome here and it looks like a pretty slick "rumpus room" to me! (The ones I recall seeing growing up were where mostly the cast-off furniture went, once the new living room furniture arrived.) Great staging and photos, as usual!
I know the term "rumpus room" very well too. Are you of British background by any chance, because my family always referred to the play room as that. You did a gorgeous job as always Jackson. I love the red and blue together. It gives the room a really fun, playful look yet you managed to keep it looking sophisticaed. By the way, creative placement of your watermark.
Hey Jacks ~ I love how you take pictures from different angles, they make for good pics. I never had a basement or rumpus room, I guess in Puerto Rico it is not common to have basements. You did an amazing job as always!
Jackson,
How fun this is! Who wouldn't want to have this room. All 'kids' whether young or old can enjoy being in this warm and friendly spot. You did an awesome job of making it bright and cheerful...not the "rumpus rooms" I remember.
What, no pingpong table and beanbag chairs? I like your 2008 version of a "rumpus" room! Very comfy, and doesn't have that "basement" feel at all! How about a lava lamp...nah, it looks great just the way it is! ;)
Love the Rumpus Room! As always, wonderful staging :)
We had a rumpus room when I was growing up-but my mom renamed it the "wreck room" when we were teenagers. I love what you did with this one Jackson.
Very nice!!! I can imagine someone will be having a great time visiting that space & wanting to stay longer... excellent!
You've done a fantastic job showing potential buyers how the space can be used - beautiful work as always!
You're at it, again! Your "rumpus" room came out beautiful. If I were a prospective buyer, I could see myself trying to duplicate this same look and feel.
Kathy
No rumpusing will be going on in this nifty room. I forgot about that term and the wreck room.
Hi Jackson, you did it again. Made blue work as a stunning backdrop to primary colours with punch. Love it!
:)
Yes yes rumpus room. Very similar to one of my favorite memories romper room ha! We here in CA just call them they media room now as everyone has a very large TV and sound system. They are much fancier then the ones we had in our day...ah progress. Kym
Thanks to everyone for stopping by the "rumpus room". I am glad to know that others are familiar with the term albeit dated.
Maureen, you are right in that the old furniture that once graced the main floor always seems to get moved to the basement.
Charlene, I do have a bit of "jolly ole England" in the genes. In fact when I was composing this blog I had originally spelled rumpus as "rumpous" but the spell checker didn't like it. I have never used a "collage" form for my photos so I though I would change up the watermark too.
Fernando, this is the first basement I have ever staged so it was new to me too in that respect.
Gail, it is certainly more modern in style than the rumpus rooms I remember too.
Elaine, funny you should mention bean bag chairs... when I was a kid our neighbors had one. Somehow I managed to get one of the "beans" lodged deep in my nostril. Bean bag chairs traumatize me to this day. Lava lamps on the other hand are still "groovy".
Wendy, thanks for stopping by and your kind words.
Cathy Lee, we were too back woods to have a wreck room however more often than not the rumpus room was indeed a "wrek"... oh those messy teenagers.
Melissa, thanks for the comment. Always nice to get feedback from one of my mentors.
David, I think the room has synergy, happy you approve.
Kathy, yup still at it, busier than ever in fact ;-) I think that most people place their furniture in the same position as the previous owners. In fact I hope they do in this case.
Kathleen, I am laughing at "rumpusing".
Michelle, this is the first time I have used blue orange and red together. Seemed fitting and youthful to me. Glad you liked it.
Kym, truth be told it is in actuality the media room. Wish we had a big wall mounted tv to watch disney and the dukes of hazzard on when I was a kid like the one used here.
Thanks again everbody for commenting. Cheers!
Jackson - lots of basements lower levels here in the Midwest. I love what you did here. Has a great designer look, yet very livable with kids & popcorn!
Great example of a lower level that is well done but not over done! Jo
Looks great Jackson! I had not heard that term in many years actually...your description in your blog reminded me of those days long ago when we romped around a room as kids. Since Florida does not have basements in our homes, I wished for one like my cousins' had up North! Thanks for sharing buddy! Regards-Kathleen G
What I would have given for a 'rumpus' room as a kid...
Beautifully done, as always. =) I can see this room being more of a man-cave though. The dads might be fighting the kids for that room! Either way---it's a great selling feature!
Jackson - You always blow me away with your staging and photography. I still want to know how you get your name on your photos!! Do you have a purchased upgraded version. Great job.
Hey Jackson...love that cosy sectional and the bright toss cushions. Invitingly done!
Microfibre is a perfect choice for a 'rumpus room' or, 'rec' room, as we used to call it. Microfiber is hard to 'rec'! ....Cheers,
Wendy Casey - Surrey, BC
There you go, love those lifestyle elements, popcorn and pillows on the floors. CUTE. And yes, rumpus room, we are dating ourselves, huh? But in a good way, bringing back memories, I'll bet it works on the buyers too. Good job.