By Kathleen Hom
Thursday, August 28, 2008

Homeowner

Ahmed Hafez and Erin O'Toole

Neighborhood

Springfield

Problem

Erin O'Toole and husband Ahmed had little trouble decorating most of their house. "Unfortunately, we've stalled when it's come to our basement-level great room," O'Toole says. The room is about 17 by 20 feet and has several angles. They had envisioned the space as an adult game room, complete with bar, poker table and pinball machine. But they've added only a Ping-Pong/air hockey table so far. "Now we've added a baby to our family dynamic," O'Toole says. "We'd still like to keep the fun/play theme, but now accommodating adults and children."

Designer

Nancy King of Nancy King Interiors in Rockville, 301-996-7807 andhttp://www.nancykinginteriors.com.

Suggestions

Make a large basement feel cozy with rich, warm colors. Minimize odd angles by installing built-in cabinets and bookshelves. Create zones tailored to specific functions.

Paint: Infrared for three walls and Sierra for the others. Both colors from C2 Paint.

Install built-in nooks, one with a desk, the other with a bench seat. Crossback side chair with upholstered slip seat ($289, http://www.ethanallen.com). Upholster the chair in Reptile Washed in Antique ($28 per yard), and create a bench cushion with Nevis in Glaze ($25 per yard, both at http://www.calicocorners.com). Avondale square maple cabinetry (designer estimates $7,200 for all cabinetry, http://www.yorktownecabinetry.com). Oil-rubbed bronze center handles from Amerock's Brass and Sterling Traditions collection ($6 each, http://www.willsonkitchenbath.com).

A group of club chairs invites guests to relax. Dane Boy chairs (starting at $849 each, http://www.thomasville.com). Upholster two of the chairs in Reptile Washed in Antique to match the desk chair, the other three with Kaska in Pompeii ($33 per yard, http://www.calicocorners.com).

Consider tables for resting drinks. Doughnut end table by Robert Abbey ($303, http://www.csnstore.com). Hudson Street warm oval cocktail table ($849, http://www.stanleyfurniture.com).