There is something about historic homes that can give homeowners a serious case of design paralysis. This was Laura’s predicament in Bronxville, New York, this week on Get a Room with Carson & Thom. Having recently moved with her family into a distinguished gem just outside NYC city limits, she was at a loss about how to furnish it. The manse is so storied, it even comes adorned with its own name, Grey Arches, and, oh yeah, a few meddlesome ghosts, too. 

But this didn't deter Thom Filicia and Carson Kressley, who thought the house had a good set of bones, and by that we mean architectural details (not a cranky, fearsome specter). They set about redoing the front entryway and two massive rooms that flank either side, a dining room and a living room. The problem was Laura didn't need another dining space because she already has one in the kitchen in back of the house — we said this home was big, right? It’s here that Thom had a bolt of genius: The family loves playing games together, so why not turn the extra room into a multipurpose game/reading room? Laura loved the idea, and the team turned around another stunning transformation complete with a few luxe playtime accoutrements.

We at Home & Design love some game time too, so we sussed out special finds that could transform any room into a game wonderland.