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THE ART OF THE PLAYROOM
Adults can be kids again as they set up a dollhouse, lay out the train track or become a superhero while they play with their children. These parents created spaces for their children dedicated to play, the true business of childhood.

Scoring Points for Fun Pictured Above, Photo Submitted
"My husband's hobby is classic video games," begins Naperville mom, Carrie Duwelius. "We wanted to be the house where our children and friends hung out, so we created a game room in the basement three years ago." The couple decorated the room with rope lighting accents and glow-in-the dark images on the floor. Don bought games at auctions and refurbished them. Currently the family has a skee-ball game, four pinball machines, a crane machine, a touch-screen jukebox and 11 assorted video games all set on continuous play for their three children and friends. Neighbors have asked to host their children's birthdays in the room. "It has been a lot of fun putting the room together," says Carrie. " We have become the home where all the friends gather which was our goal."

Fun is On the Menu Pictured Above by Mike Mantucca
As plans progressed to finish the basement in their Glen Ellyn home, Melissa Purvis came up with a creative twist for a play area for her three children. "We turned a closet area into a little cafe with a play kitchen, tables and swinging entrance doors." She made restaurant menus and put up a chalkboard for daily specials. The children "drive" to the restaurant on little bikes and enjoy an elaborate game of playing restaurant. "We also put in shelves for storing toys, a train table, a doll house and a craft table," says Melissa. She hired area artist, John O'Brien of PaintWorks to paint a mural in the room. "We get so much use out of the area now," says Melissa who is expecting a fourth child. "There is better storage for the toys and no toys on the main floor of the house. They really like having a space where they can play with friends."

A First Birthday Present Pictured Right & Bottom Right by David Neesley
As Leila's first birthday approached, Angela and Scott Brummel worked to prepare her surprise. Scott had completely gutted a spare room in their Oswego home to create the perfect playroom. With new drywall painted pale yellow and the hardwood floor in place, they set up three play areas including a princess castle, a craft area and a pink retro kitchen. The project was finished the day before Leila's first birthday and the birthday girl still enjoys the room two years later. "She loves to put on a princess dress and go cook in her kitchen," says Angela. "Lucky for us our second child is also a girl so she can play there too." Dividing the room into sections was a good plan says Angela. "She is not so overwhelmed this way. She plays in one area at a time."

A Place for the Children Bottom Left by Mike Mantucca
When Leigh Ellen Buehler was working on plans to refinish the basement in her Downers Grove home, she wanted to include a place for her two daughters to play. She let her daughter Lily chose the colors of blue and green for the room decor but Leigh had a special feature in mind. "When I was growing up, I went to Lace Elementary in Darien. My second grade teacher Miss Knox had a tree house reading loft in the classroom. I wanted to have a place like that for my children." The finished room has a reading loft perched on top of a playhouse that is ideal for quiet reading. A rolling rack with 25 assorted princess outfits and labeled bins for toys and crafts help to keep the room organized. "Most of the toys are in the room which really has been a big help," says Leigh. "They love having a place to call their own." -Judy Buchenot, Associate Editor