Game on

Houston designer scores with stylish game rooms made for entertaining

For those who share an enthusiastic outlook on the joys of entertaining at home, creating an inviting atmosphere where guests can relax, mix, and mingle can overwhelm even the savviest hosts. Whether it’s a space to experiment with libations, or unwind after dinner over a friendly game of billiards or cards, interior designer Caron Woolsey of CW Interiors knows just how to set the mood — no vibe checks required.

Over the past eight years, The Woodlands-based Woolsey and her dedicated team of seven have cultivated a series of unique clients — think scuba divers, poker enthusiasts, and artists. While traditional clientele remain at the forefront of CW Interiors, Woolsey has carved an impressive niche for herself as the go-to designer for those looking for a little something extra. Deeply moody hues, mirrored ceilings, and enviable tasting rooms aren’t off the table for this daring designer. Intrigued, CultureMap caught up with Woolsey to learn more about easing people out of their comfort zones and to collect tips for how Houstonians can create unique entertainment spaces of their own.

“We like to get people comfortably outside their comfort zone, and in particular with game rooms,” says Woolsey. “That’s kind of a space where you can have permission to maybe have a little more fun.”

Mixing bespoke applications and furnishings with familiar lines such as Visual Comfort, Restoration Hardware, Jonathan Adler, Arhaus, and CB2 helps keep spaces grounded and attainable. If an unconventional idea takes hold, don’t be discouraged by contractors who may not feel up for the task — like installing a bronzed mirrored ceiling in a whiskey tasting room.

Perhaps Woolsey’s tenacity is the key to her success: “We have the idea, we run with it, and then we keep asking people to do it until someone says yes.”

Woolsey gently guides clients by incorporating elements of their hobbies and interests, without allowing anything that’s too on-the-nose to take shape. “It’s about encapsulating part of their personality and bringing that out in the design. I think that’s why you get to see so much of kind of a crazy wow factor in those spaces,” she says.

Take, for instance, a billiard room designed for an avid scuba diver. A bold, oceanic porcelain fireplace surround is taken up to the ceiling to replicate the feeling of being underwater. No need to go full Blue Lagoon to get the point across.

For a Cosmopolitan Hotel-inspired poker room for a Las Vegas-loving CFO, Woolsey opted for a practical concrete floor with easily-interchangeable carpet tiles from Flor that could withstand spills on a lively poker night.

“Form follows function,” says Woolsey. “We ask how they intend to use the space. Is it just for them? Is it going to be a place where they entertain? Because that will dictate the materials that we choose in terms of durability and livability.”

To bring some softness to the space, a reupholstered antique settee once belonging to the client’s grandmother was added. Also worth noting, the task of building the bespoke poker table, complete with integrated lighting, was taken on by Mr. CFO himself. Woolsey chose a lively patterned wallpaper from Spoonflower, noting that their willingness to customize scale is what makes this wallpaper company a firm favorite.

Clients downsizing from an 8,000-square-foot home to 4,000 square feet wanted to find a way to incorporate as much of their furniture as possible. A spare bedroom found new life as a New Orleans-inspired speakeasy and lounge, with the closet being converted to a dry bar.

“We ask what their dreams are for the space; what are their favorite things in the world,” says Woolsey. “If this room could be anything they wanted, what makes them the happiest? Then, once they tell us that kind of thing — we aren’t going to be themey — but that will be the jumping off point to start the design in the direction where it sets the tone for the place where they feel comfortable anytime they walk into the space.”

Farrow and Ball Hague Blue paint, an antique door from Louisiana, plus antique mirror glass all blend seamlessly with a painting of St. Louis Cathedral, a pointed nod to the Crescent City, but in an elegant and subtle way — the Woolsey way.

It’s not only adult clients who appreciate the CW Interiors treatment. Woolsey has also created spaces for teenagers who need their own space. A sophisticated blend of British salon elegance and rogue deco flair, the shared teen space channels both refinement and creative rebellion. Deep hues, curated curiosities, and layered textures set the scene for late-night puzzles, gaming marathons, and bursts of artistic expression.

“It’s a room with presence: a little posh, a little unruly, and entirely theirs,” says Woolsey.

Woolsey shares these five pro tips for getting started on a game room:

Commit to a clear point of view, then edit with discipline. A memorable space starts with a focused concept. Whether the mood is rich and layered or sculptural and architectural, every decision should reinforce that vision. A bronze mirrored ceiling or blue stained paneling makes its impact when it isn’t competing for attention. Editing is what makes the drama feel elegant instead of chaotic.

Design the layout around purposeful fun. Poker and pool aren’t afterthoughts. A custom poker table should feel like it belongs in the room, not like it was wheeled in for the weekend. A pool table becomes a sculptural moment when it's scaled and placed with intention. Create clear zones for games, lounging, conversation, and cocktails. The room should flow, but each function deserves its own sense of place.

Let the art set the tone, not the theme. No gimmicks, no kitsch. Art in a game room can still be bold, but it should feel curated. Oversized photography, a sculptural installation, or a series of layered pieces bring personality without tipping into novelty. It’s about sophistication with a point of view.

Texture is where the luxury lives. This is where the space earns its decadence. Bronze mirrored ceilings, blue stained paneling, porcelain walls, dramatic wallpaper, and unlacquered brass all contribute to a layered, immersive environment. Every surface should feel considered. Every finish should add depth.

Prioritize comfort above all else. Luxury doesn’t mean formal. It means thoughtful, tactile, and livable. The seating should be low, plush, and perfectly pitched for long nights of conversation or cards. Upholstery should feel elevated but perform beautifully. Lighting should shift with the mood. Brighter for poker night. Softer for a bourbon and a record.

Photo by Kris Shopov

Poker night just got far more interesting.

home-design cw interiors

they're durable, too

3D-printed Houston housing project cements a more affordable future

Courtesy of Cole Klein Builders

Homes in Zuri Gardens are a hybrid of 3D concrete and traditional wood construction.

Houston is putting itself front-and-center to help make sustainable, affordable housing a reality for 80 lucky homeowners in a scalable housing community that will hopefully catch on nationwide. Recently, developer Cole Klein Builders partnered with HiveASMBLD to pioneer what’s touted as the world’s first large-scale, one-of-a-kind, affordable housing development using 3-D printing technology, merging robotics, design, and sustainability.

Located across from Sterling Aviation High School, near Hobby Airport, Zuri Gardens will offer 80 two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes of approximately 1,360 square feet situated in a park-like setting, including walking trails and a community green space.

Homes in Zuri Gardens will hit the market in early summer of 2026. Final pricing has yet to be determined, but Cole Klein Builders expects it to be in the mid-to-high 200s.

Interestingly, none of the homes will offer garages or driveways, which the developer tells CultureMap will provide a savings of roughly $25,000 - $40,000 per home.

Instead of parking for individual units, 140 parking spaces will be provided. Ideally, this small-town-inspired design will provide opportunities for neighbors to meet, connect, and build community.

Each two-story home is comprised of a ground floor printed by HiveASMBLD, using a proprietary low-carbon cement alternative by Eco Material Technologies that promises to enhance strength and reduce CO2 emissions. The hybrid homes will have a second floor built using engineered wood building products by LP Building Solutions. Overall, the homes are designed to be flood, fire, and possibly even tornado-proof.

The Zuri in Zuri Gardens is the Swahili word for “beautiful,” a choice that is fitting considering that the parks department will be introducing a five acre park to the project — with 3-D printed pavilions and benches — plus, a three acre farm is located right across the street. The Garver Heights area, where Zuri Gardens is located, is in what’s classified as a food desert, which means that access to fresh food is limited. Residents will have access to the farm’s fresh produce, plus opportunities to participate in gardening and nutrition workshops—that’s a win for everyone.

With the novelty of Zuri Gardens, it’s no surprise that the neighborhood already has an 800 person waitlist, but with stringent buyer requirements, it’s unclear how many of those 800 will qualify. Developer Cole Klein Builders created Zuri Gardens in partnership with the Houston Housing Community Development Department, who provided infrastructure reimbursements for the roads, sewer lines, and water lines. In return, CKB agreed to push the purchase prices for the homes as low as possible.

Zuri Gardens also received $1.8 million dollars from the Uptown Tourism Bond, 34 percent of which must be used with minority owned small businesses. Qualified buyers must fit a certain area of median income according to HUD guidelines, and must be owner occupied at all times — so no property investors or short term vacation rentals will be allowed.

“They’re trying to bridge that gap to make sure there is a community for the homebuyers who need it — educators, law enforcement, civil workers, etc.,” Cole Klein Builders’ co-principal Vanessa Cole tells CultureMap. “You have to go through a certification process with the housing department to make sure that your income is in alignment for this community. It has been great, and everyone has been really receptive.”

Cole has also brought insurance underwriters to visit the site and to help drive premiums below regular rates for Houston homeowners since homes in Zuri Gardens are not built to traditional standards — claim risks for one of the 3-D homes are extremely low. Tim Lankau, principal at HiveASMBLD, notes that the 3-D hybrid design allows for a more traditional appearance, while having the benefits of a concrete structure: “That’s where the floodwaters would go, that’s where you can hide when there’s a tornado, and that’s where termites would eat. So you get the advantages of it while having a traditionally-framed second floor.”

It’s important to note that Zuri Gardens is not located in a flood prone area, nor did it flood during Hurricane Harvey — being flood proof is merely a perk of a cement house. The concrete that Eco Material Technologies developed is impervious. The walls are printed into hollow forms, which house rebar, plumbing, and accessible conduits for things like electrical lines and smart house features. Those walls are then filled with a foamcrete product that expands to form a “monolithic concrete wall.”

David McNitt, of Eco Material Technologies, explains that his proprietary concrete is made of PCV, and contains zero Portland cement. Instead, McNitt’s cement is made from coal ash and is 99 percent green (there are a few chemicals added to the ash). Regardless, it’s made from 100 percent waste products.

“This is a product that has really been landfilled before,” says McNitt. “It’s coal ash, and it’ll set within 8-10 minutes. It’s all monolithic, and one continuous pour — it’s literally all one piece.”

Eco Material Technologies’ concrete product is impressively durable. A traditional cinderblock wall will crush at around 800 psi, while this material crushes at about 8,000 psi.

“It’s ten times stronger than a cinderblock wall that can withstand hurricanes,” claims McNitt. “I don’t think you’d even notice a hurricane. It’ll be really quiet inside, too — so you won’t get interrupted during your hurricane party. It’s way over-engineered, it really is.”

The second story is built using weatherproof and eco-friendly products by LP Building Solutions. Their treated, engineered wood products come with a 50 year warranty, and their radiant barrier roof decking product blocks 97% of UV rays, and keeps attic temperatures 30° cooler than traditional building materials. These materials, combined with the concrete first floor, will keep heating and cooling costs low — something the folks at HiveASMBLD refer to as “thermal mass performance.”

Courtesy of Cole Klein Builders

Homes in Zuri Gardens are a hybrid of 3D concrete and traditional wood construction.