Homes are a great way of showcasing a homeowners style. With a desire to entertain family at home, people are no longer setting aside rooms that are only used a few times a year. Formal living rooms are now a hang-out spot for the entire family, and formal dining rooms are now being utilized for everyday eating.
Some, like Todd Williams of Topeka, like to take it a step further and create themed spaces for a more unique experience. “A buddy of mine in Manhattan has a 20s era themed ice cream shop in his basement, and he also helped his son make a really cool 50s themed game room with pinball machines in his own home, so I kind of took off on their theme and made it my own,” he says.
In Todd’s basement, he created a replica of a 1950s diner complete with a soda fountain bar with stainless steel soda fountains and round red stools, malt machines, and an old Coke machine. “We also have what’s probably a 1940s era movie theater popcorn machine that has the really neat little lights in the top,” he says.
The floor is a black and white checkered pattern, and near the 50s style leather booths with stainless steel edges is what looks like a 40s or early 50s style jukebox. “It has more modern electronics, but still has the bubbles that change colors,” says Todd. Inside, there are classic 45 rpm records from the 40s, 50s and 60s.
In addition to the diner theme, Todd expanded his décor to include a game room with mainly 60s era pinball machines, plus a bowling machine and a shooting gallery. “There’s also a baseball machine that pitches you a ball, and if you hit it, it'll give you a single, a double, an out, a triple, or a home run, and then the little guys run around the bases,” he says.
So, what can you do with your own space that’s just a little different than usual? How about turning a screened-in porch into a beach room with water features, seashells, sand and an umbrella? Or, maybe set up an old-western saloon in the basement with swinging doors leading to a long bar, mirrored shelves for bottles, and a dart board with horseshoes and cowboy hats adorning the walls. A retro game room with Skee-Ball, Pac-Man, Asteroids and other nostalgic games can be set up in a garage. The possibilities are endless!