Home Decorating Space of the Week: A Retro A-Frame Turns Into a Cozy, Modern Family Retreat This rec room uses soothing pastels and warm wood tones to make its point. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on September 14, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Paul and Kristy Benson Paul and Kristy Benson, the husband-and-wife design team behind the Instagram account @bensondwelling, love the retro vibes of an A-frame, so they jumped at the chance to buy this getaway in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. The home's peak feature is the family lounge, where everyone congregates and kicks back for movie nights. (There's a hideaway projection screen mounted on one of the beams.) Here's how they transformed the space from top to bottom. Space of the Week: A Dark, Out-of-Date Living Room Gets a Timeless Makeover Paul and Kristy Benson Walls That Wow It's tricky to hang art on an angled surface, so the Bensons turned the 26-foot walls into art by sanding them to bring out the wood grain. White beams add contrast to the expanse of cedar. A Pretty Palette Soft colors balance out the angular architecture and keep the room feeling light and playful. A blush sectional grounds the space, while pops of orange and green brighten in up. A Is for Aerie To make the most of the room's height, the Bensons put a guest-bed loft at the tippy-top, accessible by a bookshelf-staircase creation they built. Vibrant bedding beckons visitors up to the loft. One of a Kind The couple handmade many items (like those stairs and the coffee table), scoured Facebook Marketplace for vintage finds, and upgraded store-bought pieces (swapping out sofa feet for a set from Lowe's, for example). Get the Look: 01 of 05 Cali-Cool Bookshelves Crate & Barrel $499, crateandbarrel.com Inspired by the Bensons' space, this bookcase will introduce natural wood tones and soothing library vibes to a living room or hangout area. Intersperse your family's favorite books with colorful collectibles to add a personal touch to the display. 02 of 05 On-Trend Pillows World Market $17, worldmarket.com Velvet pillows in playful forms, whether round, triangular, or shell-shaped, are having a moment right now. Pick one of these affordable, pleated pillows in a color that complements the rest of your decor. 03 of 05 A Light Pink Lounge Walmart $1,099, walmart.com With soft pink upholstery and wooden legs, this spacious sectional looks light and airy. 04 of 05 Curved Coffee Table West Elm $499, westelm.com To create a kid-friendly rec room, opt for a rounded coffee table with no sharp edges. Choose from either a light ash or rich walnut finish—and a 30 or 40-inch diameter to fit your specific space. 05 of 05 Pretty Plants Bloomscape $69, bloomscape.com To bring a sculptural touch to any room, select house plants with interesting silhouettes, like this prickly pear cactus. Even better: this plant is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate infrequent watering. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit