It IS nice... but quite unsafe!

We have friends that enjoy city living and have a very small backyard. Their basement has a swing and a slide. The swing has a nice mat under it. The playroom is not as "designer" as the one in the picture but the kids really enjoy it especially in this wet rainy climate (PNW).

I remember swinging over gravel.

Hmmm. I'm conflicted: on the one hand, I think it's adorable and a dream playroom! On the other, I think it's absurdly over-the-top and indulgent--and maybe a little creepy with the swing thing--like others have suggested, whatever happened to going outside to play???

LOL, Brody! me too... and I remember how much fun it was to swing really high and then jump off. Or lie over the swing on my stomach and try to swing that way...

I learned to ride a bike in about one day without a helmet or "training wheels" (the 'rents didn't permit their use).

We had no playroom. We played outdoors, sometimes in the rain. Man, how times change.

I remember watching a classmate break is arm (I mean really break it! Is was bent backward....) while jumping off a swing.

Wow, alot of cynics here...

I, for one, think it ROCKS and I would ABSOLUTELY have wanted that as a kid, no question.

As for safety, I see no problem. Like Brody said, gravel wasn't a problem as a kid (or the lawn that isn't lush enough to protect anyone from anything), and I don't think a short fall onto a zebra carpet will damage the kids too badly. NO one even knows the ages that this was room was built for, so it cracks me up a bit!

And as for playing outside, my poor kids can't even see their swingset under the 3' of snow we have right now. Not everyone lives where you can play outside 365 days a year.

Sorry to be the b*itch, but come on!

Dixie, I grew up in snow country. We played outdoors all winter long, too. Gettin' the snowsuit off to pee was a drag... reminds me of the little brother in "A Christmas Story". (learned to blow our noses by closing off one nostril and blowing hard out the other one).

We didn't use the swing though, we turned our efforts to architecture... snow forts! or making an iced chute for our flying saucers that by-passed the rose hedge. ;)

dixiedo: You're not being a "b*tch"! It *is* a very cool play room. :)

I think it is very cool too. My boys bike and even skateboard in the basement. It is currently 38 degrees and pouring rain. I like them to play outside but having the basement is a great alternative.

I think it's great - on days like today, cold, and nothing but rain, I think I'd put my big ole seat in one of those swings, and I'm 57 years old. (One of my sisters turned 50 in November, and if I hear "I'm FIFTY!!!", like the Saturday Night Live girl, one more time, I'll scream.)

Holy Crappola! I'm in loooove! My kids would love it too. Yes, the swings might be a little dangerous, but truth be told, we have ours over compacted CLAY that is harder than rocks. Our grass wont' grow where the kids swing, mulch attracts bugs galore, pebbles will kill our lawn mower, and rubber mulch is way out of our budget.

I'd be happy to have my kids running around in there today. It's 10 degrees today and suppose to be colder tomorrow. I'd still boot them outside on nicer days. I think it's an awesome playroom.

"NO one even knows the ages that this was room was built for, so it cracks me up a bit!"

Not trying to be argumentative, but take a look at what's in that room--a Little Tykes toddler playhouse, a bounce horse, a caterpillar ride on toy, toddler size table and chairs, toddler size rocker, etc. I have a 7 year and can tell you she outgrew this stuff years ago. Other than the gym equipment and television, I don't see much in that room that would appeal to any age group other than preschool. Maybe they just put the preschool stuff in there to stage it for photographs.

I agree that it's a beautiful room. I agree that it would be wonderful to have a great big space for kids to run around in during inclement weather. But the gym equipment really isn't safe for children (and not appropriate for preschoolers) without constant adult supervision. I also agree that when many of us were kids there were no such things as bike helmets. We swung as high as we could on the gigantic playground swings with nothing but hard ground beneath us. Those are great memories. But I personally know of one young child who died of massive head injuries from a swingset accident due to a hard surface beneath. By the time I graduated high school, two kids who were born the same year as I never got to graduation, because they died in bike accidents as children. They were honored in our ceremonies. There is not doubt they would have been alive had they had helmets on. How many children died unnecessarily before child restraints in vehicles were mandated? It's easy to get sentimental and recall the good old days, but try telling that to parents who either lost or had kids seriously injured due to childhood accidents.

It's great but it looks like the be-you-ti-ful house that mommy put together and kids prefer playing in the unfinished basement of the house next door. But even so, it is top of the line cool and the kids will still remember how cool it is. I have 9 siblings so nothing cool like this when I grew up and in fact, my backyard was gravel! I'll have to ask my parents why they could not get grass to grow in NJ and there was only gravel back there. Weird.

Maybe the swings are just for decoration.

Maybe the preschoolers have a fatal illness and this was their make-a-wish room. I'd love to see the rest of the house! What a fun decorating style.

whenicit,
You make a good point. Right after I posted my message I noted the vinyl bolster wedge and pads on the right side of the room. I work in early childhood special education (counselor/behavior specialist). This is equipment we use in our physical therapy and sensory rooms. Swings are great for enhancing vesitibular stimulation to kids with sensory integration issues. Perhaps this room is used for physical therapy. Combined with the preschool furniture, this would make a lot more sense to me.

Teeda,

Not for nothing, but I have 7 year old twins, a 6 year old, and a 4 year old, and we *STILL* have all of those "baby" things in our home even though they have technically long outgrew them. If I DARED throw away the little tikes playhouse, well, I'd be shattering their world, much like when I sold their turtle sandbox in the garage sale.

And Chelone, with windchills at -10 with a predicted 12" to 24" of lake effect snow on its way between tonight and tomorrow, I have no desire to send them out in the snow to build "architecture".

Still think that is a great room whether for play or for other reasons =)

Dixiedo, I can absolutely understand why your 7, 6, and 4 year olds want to hang onto their possessions. I still have the Little Tykes climbing structure we bought for my oldest in 1986 (she's now 22), along with the covered sandbox. She clung to it as much as I did. Despite my greatest sentimental hopes, my seven year old never really used them so I'm now donating them to charity. My kids (I have 3) never want to get rid of anything (witness my plastic bin stacked attic)! And I will be the first to admit that I don't really want to let it go either.

My youngest has some really babyish pieces in her room--a giant stuffed pig given to her by her siblings at birth, and a charming handpainted table and chairs set. (I want to keep the table and chairs, she wants to keep the giant pig!). I know this is healthy and completely developmentally appropriate as children (and parents) deal with the anxiety of new developmental stages.

But . . . I wouldn't design an expensive room around outgrown items . . And I don't imagine that too many children school age and above wouldn't want a room with more "comfortable" furniture.

If you take out the swing equipment, by two (7 and 5), would have a blast, especailly withe all the empty room to run around. It is very cute, too.

Robbi

It "looks" great but those swings give me the chills. There is supposed to be (something like) twice the distance that the swing can reach (e.g. 8 foot high swing ladder = 16 feet front AND back) free of obstruction in order for kids to swing safely. Not to mention the surface underneath.

Aesthetically, I like the flooring color/finish and the decor and architecture, though.

How funny - been shopping all day - ugh. Came back and found the activity here. I am LOL. You guys are too funny. I just assumed there would be supervised play in this room. Since it is a house on the market, possible protective mats were removed for the pictures...
Whenicit, ask and you shall recieve (if anyone turns up being the owner of this house or knows the owner - I only meant this post as a compliment).
The rest o0f the house...

Description:

$697,000 Single Family 5 Bedrooms, 5 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath $150,000 below appraisal. Are you wanting a unique home with a large lot in a convienent location? How would 2 acres, over 7,000 SF, Space to entertain, space to raise a family, space for a Mother-in-Law Suite. This beautiful home has planty of room with 5 Bdrms, 5.5 baths; 2 full kitchens; situated on almost 2 acres with loads of trees. Kitchen is a gournet chef's delight with Stainless Kitchenaid Architect Series appliances and quartz countertops. Brazilian Cherry hrdwds, marble and travertine floors, 4 balconies, 5 terraces, 4 Fireplaces. Full Basement could be used as in-law suite, there is a room that you can put in a wine cellar too. Entertain in this French Chateau Style Unique Home, or just enjoy the views and sunsets with your family!

The rest of the house is interesting but does not really apeal to me as much as the play room.

link

Here is a link that might be useful: if it doesn't come up type in MLS# MLS 1144414

Wow, I want to move to South Carolina.

The price is far more amazing than the playroom. "I gotta get outta this place ..."

dixiedo, a pair of twins and 2 others, my first thought is you need this playroom to take a break yourself. LOL

Me, I'd hurt myself trying to walk up them stairs. Wow, they are gorgeous.

I think the playroom is dynamite and I'd supervise my kids on the swings inside just as I would outside. I think it's great to have inside when they can't go outside because of bad weather. Nothing worse than restless kids who "can't go out to play."

Teeda, agreed... I wouldn't pour my heart and soul (not to mention *gobs* of $$) into something that children will outgrow in the blink of an eye, but I can certainly appreciate it for what it is worth. It is an amazing space!!

And I really do want to apologize for coming off snippy. Really.

Dixiedo, please don't worry about coming off as snippy! I think we can agree that we are looking at one potentially awesome play area for kids. I was really impressed by how passionately mothers with young kids responded to this thread. I believe we all would give anything to provide the absolute, most ultimate, over the top childhood experience for our precious kids. Doing what I do for a living, I can tell you that is not necessrily true for all parents!

There are 24 hours in a day. Don't you think it's entirely possible that the kids can play for several hours both inside and out? In my opinion, it's great that they obviously encourage the kids to do something active while they are playing inside, rather than glued to a tv or video game. I think it's funny how so many people can look at ONE picture of a room in someone's house and automatically assume the kids never see the light of day. When I see that room I think there must be a ton of fun stuff to play with in the back yard too, these people are obviously not minimalists. I think the room is adorable and looks like a lot of fun!

The only thing I don't really like are the swings, esp. their location. For a playroom, it really doesn't have many toys-- but it has SPACE, and that's what I think kids love. The swings would be fun but look dangerous and take up too much space.

My kids can't wait for spring for space like that (outside). And no, I am not taking them out in -6 degree weather, esp. considering my infant would have to come out, too. Brr!

This playroom is like a kid fantasy and I love it. BTW, my kids play outside *all* the time, supervised (or should I say, joined by) by yours truly - we love spending time outside, even in the rain and snow. But still, my kids would *love* this room. I agree, the wide open space free to do whatever is a great feature. We have swings just like this on our front porch -really not a safety issue for gentle swinging.

To think what we used to do on the swings, and over what, is amazing. I understand that bad accidents can happen and parents have learned that, but I am also glad I was able to play un-supervised -- although I'm sure when very little we were watched very well :) I can't imagine letting my kid out all day these days, either, but, that's the way it used to be!

I think it's a good 'lesson' or observation for kids to make, actually, that when the weather's bad, say, it doesn't mean you can't play or play as you would outside -- you just make things for inside too! ... go about it another way :)

... remembering the kid down the block. He was sitting on his front step pouting, locked out of the house because he was bad or something, and they wouldn't play ball with him. So, I said to him -- 'you don't have to just sit there ... you can still play ball ... just play by yourself!' And he did go on to pick up the ball and start dribbling around and playing anyway :)

One of the reasons we bought this house was because it had a big bonus room for a playroom. And so I'm all for a great indoor playspace. But I agree, those swings are a really, really, REALLY bad idea.

Other than that I think the room is adorable. And it can be easily modified into a game room/tween/teen room as the kids get older.

We still haven't decided what we will be doing with ours. Kids are 7 and 12. (And if you've seen my other thread, we aren't discussing that topic right now.) But we've considered a game room, theater, gym, study room, or even moving my scrapbooking room in there and and making my current scrapbooking room into a guest room, which we don't currently have. (Playroom can't become a guest room because it is an open loft area)

I'm leaning towards a gym. We already have a huge treadmill taking up space in the bedroom and a fold-up ballet bar which I store under the bed. Dh wants a game room. DD is still wanting to keep it a playroom, but she doesn't play with much of it anymore. And there are some pricey wood toys and a wood play kitchen that are going to be painful to give away.

Woa! I'm amazed at the price too....I'm leaving CT! That would be well over 1 million here.

I think the playroom is really cute, but I agree. the swings aren't a good idea. THe first thing I thought of when I saw those was my boys would be hurt in about 2 minutes. I'm having visions of them jumping from the swings into the walls.....

I think it rocks. Somedays it is so rainy here or in Ohio when the winter last forever that would be great. I think a larger rug or an inset of carpet in the swing area would be cool for if they fell off. We have a HUGE basement and my husband brings in the bikes and barbie jeep, plasma car etc. and my girls play down there all winter long with those outdoor toys. I just wipe off the wheels real well and let them go. It's just painted concrete though. Really no different than the sidewalk or drive they ride in. Actually probably safer, it is smooth and if they fall it is not rough where they get abraded.

OMG, I love it...it's actually really similar to what I have planned for our playroom upstairs (except it'll be the only place in our house with carpet for noise reduction).

*Blue walls (Laura Ashley Cassiopeia)
*A 3D tree on the wall (Bombay Kids Wall Art)
*Two HABA swings that my dd's already have
http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/HA4829/Haba-Chilly-Swing-Seat.html

http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/HA4828/Haba-Airy-Fairy-Baby-Swing.html

And I wanted their playhouse up there as well because the elements really do a number on it outside...which is fine for some people but all the little decals are almost gone and I think they'd have more fun with it if I weren't yelling to check for snakes first everytime they wanted to play in it.

what a house!! Man -- I have severe house envy today!

All those spaces to decorate -- and a playroom to outfit as MY own space and office and craftroom! Yummy!

I would love to have a room like that for my kiddoes. The major upgrade that I would do though is just line the entire floor with mattresses. I have a 3 1/2yo with sensory integration issues so with just a few tweaks, I would love to have that room to send him too to get his "input" safely without worrying about the rattlers outside.

We're in the midwest and after a month of dealing with kids jumping on sofa's I purchased a little tykes 8 x 8 bounce round for our basement. HIGHLY recommended for anyone with kids 7 and under with cabin fever. They fire it up at least 3 times a day and burn off the energy. When their done, just roll it up and move it to the corner.

The swing/ladder stuff in the pic above is from IKEA, as well as the bookshelf, parachute leaves and maybe the table too. Before I bought the bounce thing, I had the swing in my cart and then thought about one of them separating a shoulder or smashing their heads into the cieling.

Against my wifes wishes, I also bought the big bounce about 3 years back from costco (outdoor one) and the kids still love breaking it out. My wife finally caved, admitted it was a good purchase and urged me to buy the big waterslide last year. I've loaned the moonwalk thing to so many friends for kid parties (without wanting anything) and usually get a gift certificate for pizza or whatever as a thank you--it's already paid for itself. when they finally outgrow all of them, hello ebay or craigs.

The basement doesn't seem to have the allure of that great room above with the sweet floor, but the kids love it!

Wow! I love the playroom!

When I was a kid we had swings in the basement. As an adult, I could reach the basement ceiling so it couldn't be that high. We used hoppity hops down there, skate boards...

The house is in SC. Although there are 2 acres, the playroom makes perfect sense to me. Think about the number of women having multiple kids due to IVF. I had a neighbor that had 4 kids, one 7, 3, 2, & 1. Something like this would be awesome for her kids, especially in the cold of winter & heat of summer. There were days when it was too hot for the kids to go outside or too many gnats / mosquitoes.

Description:

$697,000 Single Family 5 Bedrooms, 5 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath $150,000 below appraisal. Are you wanting a unique home with a large lot in a convienent location? How would 2 acres, over 7,000 SF, Space to entertain, space to raise a family, space for a Mother-in-Law Suite. This beautiful home has planty of room with 5 Bdrms, 5.5 baths; 2 full kitchens; situated on almost 2 acres with loads of trees. Kitchen is a gournet chef's delight with Stainless Kitchenaid Architect Series appliances and quartz countertops. Brazilian Cherry hrdwds, marble and travertine floors, 4 balconies, 5 terraces, 4 Fireplaces. Full Basement could be used as in-law suite, there is a room that you can put in a wine cellar too. Entertain in this French Chateau Style Unique Home, or just enjoy the views and sunsets with your family!

Wow, what a crappy agent they have. For the price of their home, they should have an enhanced listing at realtor.com but only have a single photo. It isn't even featured on the front page of the agents site :(

There are 26 photos on the agents site, another shot of the playroom, when it wasn't staged.

Beautiful house.

Our #2 and his wife have a playroom that large with lateral shelving up the walls for books and stuffed animals, a TV on the wall. It worked well in the early years for cribs and playpens and as he grew, the look was changed and they have incorporated a drum set, a piano and pool table, video games. He is also very active in basketball, baseball and swim team, so he gets plenty of exercise but they always know where he is because he is at organized activity, outside playing with his friends or having group fun with them in his playroom.

Think about the number of women having multiple kids due to IVF. I had a neighbor that had 4 kids, one 7, 3, 2, & 1.

Roselvr, I'm scratching my head on this one. IVF these days is quite unlikely to produce high order multiples, meaning 3 or more. Many Reproductive Endocrinologists refuse to put back more than 3, and usually only in a case where they are not of high quality. I recently visited a clinic that only puts back one, and my clinic would only do two.

Your friend sounds like many people I know who have never had fertility issues. Perhaps she did IVF for her 4, but I hardly think that it's a trend sweeping the nation - it's expensive, it's invasive, and it is (or often is) highly emotionally charged, even if the outcome is successful.

Sorry for the OT rant.

Mary

Totally coming in late but desired to chime in anyway both about the rm. & about the philosophies.

I love this room & seeing that DH pulled a fast one on me this Fall & switched rooms for the playroom after I'd already finished painting the 1st one, I am going to show this playroom pic to DH tonight.

I'd love my kids to play outside more but quite frankly until we move that's not going to happen. The backyard is not fenced & the side yard is the only place I will allow them to play w/o me being out there 110% of the time.

As for hurting themselves on the swings - sorry - I believe we protect our kids too much by not even letting them try things that may be scary to us adults. We're always shouting "BE CAREFUL! DON'T HURT YOURSELF! or THAT"S TOO DANGEROUS, TOO HIGH - TOO WHATEVER!". Let's face it: mommy's & daddy's play differently w/ their kids. Daddy's are busy telling (or daring) their kids to climb a giant hill of rock & gravel & not to give it a 2nd thought, while mommy's are so often saying "Be careful - slow down!".

W/ the proper mats underneath those indoor swings & stuff maybe it's best that we just remain in the room 1st time around turn our backs, take a deep breath & say a prayer if you chose and let the kids have-at-it! Let's see what they're capable of! Best of all - let them see what they're capable of & then go from there!

Roselvr, I'm scratching my head on this one. IVF these days is quite unlikely to produce high order multiples, meaning 3 or more. Many Reproductive Endocrinologists refuse to put back more than 3, and usually only in a case where they are not of high quality. I recently visited a clinic that only puts back one, and my clinic would only do two.

Your friend sounds like many people I know who have never had fertility issues. Perhaps she did IVF for her 4, but I hardly think that it's a trend sweeping the nation - it's expensive, it's invasive, and it is (or often is) highly emotionally charged, even if the outcome is successful.

Sorry for the OT rant.

Mary

Sorry, rereading my post, I guess I got side tracked looking at house pictures and never finished my thoughts or spaced it out..

My neighbor did not do IVF.. She had one right after the other. A playroom like this would have been great for her and the little ones.

I was also thinking about someone that had multiples.. I'm glad to hear that places are not putting more then a few back. I watch the shows on TLC, Jon & Kate, the one with the 4 identical 5 year old girls, the lady from PA that had the little boy Sammy then had multiples and the most recent one I saw where they had 5. I could not imagine having that many little kids running around.

Anyway.. back to the topic. I love the playroom. While I was at the agents site I saw they also have a recreation room, looks like it is in a walk out basement.

I love the playroom too. We have 2 playrooms in our home, one upstairs and one downstairs. My son (he is 2) uses them both daily. He does play outside, but not unless I am with him at all times. Also we live in NJ where it's simply too cold to play outside in the winter.

I don't think you can compare how most of us played as kids with the world today. When we were kids (I am in my mid 30's) we would play outside for hours at a time, ride our bikes all over the neighborhood, etc. I am sure my mother did not know our whereabouts most of the time. In today's world there is no way I would let my child play outside without any type of adult supervision. Even when he gets older.

C

The playroom is spectacular-- every kid's dream... BUT, after looking at the rest of the pictures of the house, they could sure use some decorating advice from all of you! :)

So I'm going to open myself up for bashing and say that I have two of these swings set low to the floor in our playroom. We have had them for 4 years and had one falling incident which a kiss cured immediately. Our kids know they are just for light little swinging - the big stuff goes outdoors. My DD and her friends love to sit there to talk. The DS's swing gently back and forth as they know that to do anything else means the swings come down. Ikea also made really cool hanging cocoon chairs that we keep up most of the time, but break these out in winter when the kids can't go outside. Now that we are selling this house we have had 2 offers asking to include the swings with the sale. We will of course leave them, which makes the kiddo's quite sad. We are taking the cool chairs though!!

I agree with justnotmartha. I could see girls just sitting with their feet on the floor chatting away. Also I am surprised nobody mentioned that when kids are indoors during the coldest times, they are often playing video games or watching television. At least in this room they might get a little exercise. Of course with supervision.

What most strikes me is not so much the room itself, but having the sheer space for it--being in the Bay Area where houses are smaller. For many years, my kid's indoor playroom was the formal dining room. I'm not too big on the indoor swings in this room--I agree it's better outdoors. That type of activity is better off in a supervised environment like a "little gym" and the social benefits of playing with peers as well. Personally, I see it as a room where a whole lot of money was thrown at it--not so much creativity. Now imagine a homemade puppet theater and/or life sized playhouse?

From a decorating perspective, one of the things I like it the imaginative paintings on the walls. Now that is something any of us could do in our own kid's rooms.

We here on the decorating forum can do better.

Oh Perky - I've wanted out of S.California for so long and this just reignites it. What a house!!!

My dad and 2 aunts moved to Myrtle Bch area of S.C. a yr half ago and you would not believe what you can get! My Aunt is 3 miles from Bch in Myrtle and paid less than $200k for brand new 1800 sq.foot house and my dad bought 2000 sqfoot new house on large log with pond in back for 180K. 15 miles from beach but more tranquil. We visited this past summer, wonderful. I lived in Chlt, NC for 8 years 15 yrs ago and wish I had never left. I'm from S.Calif. and it's just never been my cup of tea, but didn't help that all family is in South or N.East so maybe that's it. Sigh.....If only I could get my DH out of here.