Before we leave for our Terrific Telluride, Colorado Ski Vacation, I wanted to share some of the ski lodge theme decor in the downstairs game room.

It was the perfect setting for the recent, Downhill Dinner. And a couple of years ago, I spread out an Apres-Ski Buffet amongst all the ski lodge theme decor.

I meant to take you on a little tour of the basement level game room weeks ago. But, I’ve been busy adjusting to a new weekly schedule that includes; training and volunteering at the animal shelter, taking a beginner’s acrylic painting class, and adding a Pilates reformer session to my fitness routine.

All the activity has been a good distraction, as I continue to miss my Sweet Scottie Dog, and adjust to a new normal without him. Last Saturday was a crazy but joyous day at Animal Friends. Ten dogs were adopted during my shift on the kennel floor!

Of course, I’m really looking forward to our winter vacation and spending an entire week with family! The ski lodge theme decor is a nod to all the wonderful memories made on previous trips. Let me show you around.

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Warm & Fuzzy Gathering Space

We were still newlyweds when our house was being built. With four bedrooms and both a family and living room, there was no need to finish the basement. Later, after the boys came along, Mr. Buzz constructed a large playroom, utility closet, workroom, walk-in cedar-lined closet, and mudroom off the garage.

Several years later, as a family Christmas gift, our then adolescent boys painted and decorated the main room. They turned the space into a cool teen hangout area, with fun lighting, movie posters and more.

Gone Skiing

After the guys went off to college and started their careers, I decided to redecorate the entire downstairs. First, the full-size air hockey table went to a young family. That opened up a lot of space. Flooring was replaced, and a more neutral color now covers the walls.

But, I wanted to keep the area as a fun space for whenever family or friends came for a visit.

Ever the “queen of theme,” I chose a lodge or cabin theme for the gameroom. During the winter months, I swap some of the decor to create a ski lodge vibe.

Vintage-Inspired Furniture

The biggest investment was in hardwood furniture running along one entire wall. Inspired by a vintage typesetter’s cabinet, the Pottery Barn Printer’s collection allows you to create a home office or entertainment center modularly.

We pieced together glass-fronted, lower base cabinets to store games, puzzles, and old video gaming equipment.

The rich Tuscan Chestnut finish cabinets also serve as a base for a large TV.  Shelves in the upper cabinet provide storage for rustic tableware, like white tree stump cake stands and woodcut chargers.

Nice and handy when setting the nearby Downhill Dinner at Ski Cabin Winter Table and centerpiece.

Many of the game room’s ski lodge theme decor and knickknacks have been incorporated into numerous winter and Christmas table settings upstairs too.

Like the deer next to the TV taking center stage in Enchanting Woodland Tablescape.

Everyone asks where I store all my tableware. Well, now you know some if it’s actually home decor from the game room!

Ski Lodge Theme Decor Finds

Most of the ski lodge theme decor is easy swapped in and out during the warmer seasons. During those months, I switch our ski elements for lake or mountain cabin accents.

An exception is this wonderful snowshoe base lamp. Isn’t it cute? And, the perfect size on the tabletop adjacent to the TV.

And, in the corner by the back door, is a full-size set of snowshoes. Handy too — in case hubby or I need to head out into a major snowstorm LOL! So far, they haven’t had to be put to use.

Mostly, I’ve tucked little decorator items here or there, that can be easily swapped seasonally. Although it does get decorated to the hilt once I add Christmas stuff!

One example is this old pair of skates turned into a welcome sign. What a clever idea! Although I purchased mine, I don’t think it’d be hard to recreate — do you?

Entertaining Friends & Family

On occasion, we’ve even moved the TV into the nearby workroom to open-up countertop space for the Apres-Ski Lodge Buffet.

We often have the TV on with a movie or sports event, while playing games on the maple farm table. Before the Remodeled Kitchen Design, it was upstairs and used everyday for family meals.

Here it’s set for the Downhill Dinner, but most of the time it’s used to play games or put together a puzzle. Occasionally, I use it for gift wrapping, crafting or staging My Favorite Things Party decorations and favors.

Do you see the vintage ski poles leaning up in the corner? They must have been for a giant, or someone far taller than me!

I love the rustic, vintage charm of this welcome sign, and leave it up year round.

Underneath is this fabulous basket. with a deer head and anthers shaped out of twigs and sticks.

I loved the thrill of hunting and finding all the unique ski lodge theme decor for the game room.

Workarounds

When constructing the space and putting up the walls, hubby had to work around our home’s HVAC and plumbing infrastructure. Since it’s a basement with cement blocks, there’s also only two small windows. To add a little natural light, the back door has a large window.

Mr. Buzz also installed lots of recessed fixtures in the low ceiling. But, that’s also why there’s so much glare and shadows in a lot of the pictures.

Personalizing the Space

In this little alcove I had him add a few shelves for displaying knicknacks and family pictures. It’s also the perfect space for my antique stagecoach trunk. I’ve had it since I was about 12-years old! Back then, my turntable and receiver sat on top, with huge speakers on either side. Anyone remember those days?

Anyway, the truck has an iron bottom and was originally canvas-covered. Rustoleum helped with the iron bottom and fittings, but the canvas had to be removed. Underneath, the low-grade wood was dry and cracked. So, I used a lot of filler and sealed it. Afterwards, I painted all the wood. Why I choose green, I don’t know!

Nowadays, it’s where I store the cushions for the outdoor wicker furniture. During the summer months, it holds duvets and other winter season bedding. I’m constantly shuffling stuff around to deal with storage limitations!

On the shelves above, I display family photos from past ski trips, like this vacation to Snowmass, Colorado. The anther was found by the boys in our backyard. We have lots of deer that pass through about twice a day. It’s actually a chronic issue in our town, due to vehicle collisions

This photo above was taken on our very first trip to the Rockies. Elder son loved the town so much he returned last summer for the annual Steamboat Springs Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival.

And guess what? I’m still wearing that same ski coat! Here I am last year about to head into the alpine bowl at Breathtaking Breckenridge, Colorado.

Moose & Black Bear Country

Deer aren’t the only wildlife populating our gameroom. Scattered throughout are moose and black bear ski lodge theme decor.

You may have noticed some of my stuffed moose “collection” on the shelves? I also featured them in Moose Toboggan Ride Tablescape.

A focal point of the room is this lightweight moose head. I adore him! At Christmastime he sports lights in his anthers and a Santa cap.

The moose head hangs over the pull out sleeper couch. During the fall and winter, a cozy black bear pillow and throw decorate the sofa.

When pulling out the sleeper couch, handles on the vintage gun crate make it easy to move out of the way. Bedding is stored for easy access in the crate-converted coffee table. Most of the time, it’s used to prop up feet while watching TV.

This little deer handle basket comes upstairs into the family room at Christmastime to hold holiday cards.

Juggling Storage

To the one side of the couch is a large double close. Hubby cleverly used slider doors due to space limitations. Moving all the games into the furniture across the way, opened up more storage for summer coastal decor that goes outside on the porch.

And, my extensive collection of Department 56 buildings takes up the entire top shelf! During the month of December, the Magical North Pole display covers the entire game table.

This pinecone floor lamp provides a nice warm glow. Particularly in the evenings when watching TV and all the overhead recessed lights are turned off.

Hallway Gallery

Originally carpeted, the hallway was converted to hardwood during the most recent remodel.

To the left, is the doorway to the craft room. On the other side is the cedar closet and garage entrance. See more on how they’re organized in Shop, Pack and Store Holiday Decorations, Tableware.

I use that narrow space to display the boys artwork, explained in How to Create a Kid Keepsakes Gallery.

Artwork is rotated seasonally. This time of year you’ll find Valentines and Presidents Day represented, along with snowmen and penguins. Pretty soon, I’ll be swapping art out for spring, Easter and Mother’s Day.

Fuzzy New Friends

Hubby and I returned last Sunday to Animal Friends for our mentoring session with a seasoned volunteer. Nate took us behind the scenes and showed us the ropes, so to speak. We also explored part of the 75-acre campus, while walking big, sweet Wishbone. They even have outdoor play areas where the shelter dogs can run off lease.

So, we are certified to care, train, play and walk both puppies and green collar adult dogs. Those pets are considered the easiest to handle, based on their behavior and medical evaluation.

I’m so excited! Now when I’m on the adoption floor helping prospective owners, I can also enter the kennels to pet and cuddle the dogs.

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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.

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