The Game Room, Inspiration

The spaces are also largely characterized by what are considered masculine touches, with dart boards and poker tables becoming symbols of a laid-back, modern masculinity.

In Fisher’s room particularly, the room is embellished with lavish murals displaying early colonial hunting scenes. 

The wallpaper scene is called "La chasse à Compiègne,” and attributed to the French painter, Charles Vernet, ca. 1815. It is also used in other buildings as a wall mural, including the Friedrichsmoor Hunting Lodge:

An explanation of the Hunting Lodge gives a brief history of the wallpaper:

“Since 1964, the garden room of the lodge has been decorated with the iconic panoramic wallpaper "La chasse à Compiègne" originally found in Friedrichsthal Castle. The wallpaper is based on a design by the French painter Charles Vernet and dates from around 1815.” 

The hutch in the back corner is lined with trophies, goblets, and bottles along the bottom, pointing to the particular rise of cocktail culture and home entertaining. It is a fun little addition that may allude to a post-Prohibition trend that spiked during the mid-century. 

As the 1919 act prohibited the sale, production, and transport of alcohol, many people turned to private spaces to enjoy a drink discreetly. However, the wealthier class began setting up home bars, often in hidden rooms or basements to hide from authorities and checks while enabling them to entertain their guests. 

In Fisher’s room particularly, the room is embellished with lavish murals displaying early colonial hunting scenes. In Fisher’s room particularly, the room is embellished with lavish murals displaying early colonial hunting scenes. 

There is evidence to the drinking by the game of checkers, as well, as we see the competitors empty wine glasses:

Yet, following the end of Prohibition in 1933, there was a great initiative to make alcohol and its production respectable again. With these spaces already established, in tandem with the 20th century push toward homelife, there was a boom in these spaces featuring at home bars and liquor cabinets, allowing homeowners to host guests without the formality of a dining space. 

Ultimately, the game room would point to a post-war optimism and growth of the nuclear family. The design prioritized comfort and personality, with mismatched furniture and collections of vintage finds of many eras. They would celebrate family bonding, down time, and the joys of spending time in the home. As we saw with the Victorian parlor, these rooms continued to emphasize the separation of public and private life, with the tone that work troubles and social performance would be left at the door.