Transforming Our Drab Rec Room: A Tiki-Inspired Makeover

Transforming Our Drab Rec Room: A Tiki-Inspired Makeover

At long last, it’s time to tackle transforming my large but very drab rec room. Whoever last painted it decided to cover the entire space—walls, trim, and all—in a dull blue-gray. For years, Karl and I have dreamed of giving this space a vibrant tiki and world-travel vibe, inspired by one of our favorite hangouts, Trader Vic’s in Atlanta, Georgia. Finally, the opportunity has arrived, and I couldn’t be more excited to dive in!

There’s just one catch: the room needs to be ready in less than three days for my family’s post-Thanksgiving meal on Friday. No pressure, right?

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The Prep Work

Last night, I got started by moving furniture out of the room and giving the walls a good cleaning. I patched holes and imperfections with spackling paste to make sure everything was smooth and ready for paint. The transformation will require focus and a tight schedule, but I’m determined to get it done in time.

A few years ago, I had planned out paint colors and design ideas for this room, but, of course, I couldn’t find my old notes. That’s when I turned to my trusty AI companion, NOVA (ChatGPT), to help me brainstorm and finalize a new design plan quickly and effectively.

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Designing the Tiki Vision: My AI Collaboration

Here’s how NOVA and I worked together to bring this vision to life:

1. Inspiration and Color Palette:
   I told NOVA about my goal of creating a tiki-inspired room with a cozy, tropical vibe and rich cultural accents. I asked for help identifying paint colors that would work for:
   • A sand beige base to evoke natural tones.
   • A bold tropical green for the accent wall behind the bar.
   • A warm ochre ceiling to bring drama and warmth to the tall space.
   • Colors for stenciled patterns inspired by Māori motifs, including burnt red and black.

   NOVA provided me with specific paint suggestions from Lowe’s, including finishes and quantities needed for each area of the room.

2. Calculating Paint Needs:
   Knowing the square footage of the room and the various surfaces I planned to paint, NOVA calculated exactly how much paint I’d need for:
   • Walls: Base coat and dry-brushing details.
   • Accent Wall: The tropical green focal point.
   • Ceiling: A cozy ochre tone.
   • Trim: A polished finish in a deep brown.

   This saved me a ton of time and guesswork while making sure I wouldn’t overbuy—or worse, run out mid-project.

3. Design Details and Techniques:
   • We discussed using a dry-brush technique to create subtle texture on the beige walls.
   • NOVA helped me plan where to incorporate stenciled Māori patterns—at the top border of the walls and in vertical accents to mimic carved totems.
   • I also got tips on coordinating finishes (like matte for the walls, satin for the accent wall, and semi-gloss for the trim).
4. Mockups and Visualization:
   NOVA even generated mockups of the room with the suggested color scheme and patterns, giving me an idea of how different colors and patterns might work together. 

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Gathering Supplies at Lowes

Quickly armed with a color plan and a shopping list, I headed to Lowes to pick up paint and supplies.

Color Palette (Valspar Paint)

• Pirates Treasure (ochre) – Ceiling
  • 1 quart for testing
• Cabin Plank (brown) – Trim
  • 1 gallon
• Daybreak – Wall Base
  • 3 gallons
• Epic – Wall Topcoat (drybrush)
  • 1 gallon
• Cosmic Green – Accent Wall
  • 1 gallon

 

Lowes

• Paint
• 2 drop cloths
• Sanding block (rough)
• $375 dollars later…

Stay tuned for updates as I tackle this ambitious project—and cross your fingers that everything is done in time for Friday’s Thanksgiving meal!

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Painting Phase 1

I’ve almost finished applying the first coat of beige and green to the walls, and it’s already transforming the space! The paint went on smoothly, and the progress was quick, but I’ll admit—I ran out of steam before I could finish. Tomorrow, I’m planning to tackle the rest of the first coat and dive straight into the second coat once I’m recharged. Here’s hoping the momentum carries me through!

 

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Carol’s Notebook

Window Cling

Amazon: Rainbow Window Cling

Calculating how much window cling I need for 2 exterior windows.

• 5 rows, 3 columns of 10.5″ x 10.5″ window panes 
  • 31.5″ wide x 52.5″ tall (how much window cling I will need)
  • 15 panes per window
    • 2 windows
    • = 30 panes
  • 17.5 x 7 8.7 (i will need 5) $30
  • 35.4″ x 78.5″ (21 panes) $24 + 2 17.5″ x 78.7″ (7 panes) $12

Design Notes

I have a general idea in mind of what kind of brushwork and stenciling I’m going to do but I’m not certain yet. I’ve gotten to where I prefer to decide what I want to do in the moment but I do approach each moment with a general plan. For instance I know I’m going to drybrush a darker shade over the beige wall color to add depth and texture. I think I’m going to drybrush it in a v patter but I’m not sure yet, especially since I can’t find most of my paint brushes.

I want to do a pattern with some accent colors around the base of the ceiling. I am either going to free hand the design or use masking tape to create a stencil effect. 

I was originally going to paint the upper section a burnt orange color but have decided that for the green wall I want the green to go all the way up.