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Could a Cool Chess Set Be King in Your Castle?
Extravagant outdoor chessboards and built-in game tables add a noble air around the home
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
If you have a boring backyard spot, a spacious roof deck or even a blah driveway and you like playing chess, consider a supersize set that you can enjoy outdoors. I never learned how to play chess, so I get very impressed when I see a set out; it makes me think the homeowner is some sort of Bobby Fischer–level genius. When I see one of these oversize sets, it tells me the homeowner knows how to have some fun with the hobby, enjoying some fresh air and sunlight during the game.
Photo stylists love chess sets too; the beautiful wooden pieces add interest with a lot more panache than Chutes and Ladders or the game of Life. Even if you don't play chess, take a look at how lovely these sets from life size to tiny jazz up a space. Who knows? It may even inspire you to learn how to play.
Photo stylists love chess sets too; the beautiful wooden pieces add interest with a lot more panache than Chutes and Ladders or the game of Life. Even if you don't play chess, take a look at how lovely these sets from life size to tiny jazz up a space. Who knows? It may even inspire you to learn how to play.
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"The homeowners here already had plenty of room for lounge chairs and tables, and were looking for something unique to do on this rooftop deck. "We had an entire rooftop to work with ... a blank slate," explains Bruce Palmer of Bruce Palmer Interior Design.
"I thought a solid color would be too much, so I started playing around with a checkerboard pattern," he says. "As the pattern and ideas developed I thought putting in life-size chess pieces would be more interactive, make the rooftop more usable and provide hours of entertainment, since the clients love playing chess and entertaining." Palmer ordered the teak chess pieces online from Indonesia.
"I thought a solid color would be too much, so I started playing around with a checkerboard pattern," he says. "As the pattern and ideas developed I thought putting in life-size chess pieces would be more interactive, make the rooftop more usable and provide hours of entertainment, since the clients love playing chess and entertaining." Palmer ordered the teak chess pieces online from Indonesia.
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I spied my first outdoor oversize chessboard at my friend Lucas' loft building in Atlanta. This courtyard is on the third floor and sits atop the parking garage. I asked Lucas if anyone ever uses it.
"People do play on it regularly, but I think more than anything, it's a cute novelty item — people always remark on it," he says. "The pieces are plastic and have withstood a lot of weather. I don't know how to play chess, so I have gone down there and played checkers."
"People do play on it regularly, but I think more than anything, it's a cute novelty item — people always remark on it," he says. "The pieces are plastic and have withstood a lot of weather. I don't know how to play chess, so I have gone down there and played checkers."
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| This backyard has a little bit of everything. "The client has three kids, and as part of the overall project goal we needed to create an outdoor play environment that engaged all their needs — we also included a tree house, zip line, boccie ball court — which included their interest in chess," says Rich Radford of The Garden Route Company. "We created a stone patio that also could be utilized as a chessboard. The board was built using black and white cut granite stone set on a compacted sand subbase. We used black steel landscape edging as the frame," says Radford. |
| This top-floor terrace has a lot of space to fill, and the large chessboard and teak pieces serve as a sculptural focal point. |
| The same space changes dramatically at night. |
| A checkerboard driveway serves as a chessboard. I suppose the players just need to be sure no one needs to back out of the garage midgame. |
by Adrienne Chinn
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Perhaps a normal-size board is more your speed. Somehow a chessboard never seems to look like clutter, even in the most minimal spaces.
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| This vignette shows us why photo stylists love to set up a game for interior shots. Imagine the table without it —it would still be a lovely room, but the photo would not be as engaging. The chess game lets us imagine how the owners use this room. |
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A built-in board makes it one step easier to get the game set up, and the inset game board adds a custom look. In the case of this breakfast nook, the designer even coordinated the cushion fabrics and color scheme with the tan and brown board.
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| A game of chess is a classic addition to this luxe game room. |
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Chess has even gone vertical, though I think it might be a little tough to wrap your brain around playing this way at first.
by Ballard Designs
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If you simply like the look of chess pieces outdoors but do not want to commit to the full board, add a few chess piece–inspired sculptures.
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Finally, this black and white table from Moooi has a stylish bravura modern look that works whether you use it for chess or something else.
Where do you like to enjoy a game of chess? Would you ever give the huge board a try, or are you more of a croquet/boccie type? Let us know in the Comments section.
More:
Play Up Rooms With Game Tables
Guest Picks: Get Your Game On!
Fun With Scrabble Around the House
Where do you like to enjoy a game of chess? Would you ever give the huge board a try, or are you more of a croquet/boccie type? Let us know in the Comments section.
More:
Play Up Rooms With Game Tables
Guest Picks: Get Your Game On!
Fun With Scrabble Around the House
Ideabook published on July 20, 2012.
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This is an awesome topic... I have recently been gathering notes for write up highlighting Family Olympics; Lawn Games with kin. I have adored the concept of human scale chess for a long time and have not found quality resources for play pieces. My brother who is a renaissance junky suggested even "found" items. It's fun! That's what's important!
Everyone loves it.
I might do this, too but for checkers instead. I can better hide the checkers than the chess pieces if I need the space. Plus, big game pieces might look a little Alice in Wonderland after a bit!