It's been a while in the making, but I'm now 95% of the way to the finish line, so I thought I would share.

Here's a link to a full gallery of pics documenting the assembly -
http://www.karenengel.com/p680279090/

The project was done on a tight budget (Spent only about $1,400 on the room decor). The space in an open upstairs loft measuring about 16x24. The concept was to be able to use the room as a dedicated theater when we want, but then pull back the walls (curtains) and convert the room to open space for other uses when needed (photo studio, game room etc.). In addition, it's super light weight, expandable/flexible, and we can take everything with us if/when we move and set it up anywhere. No doubt, the high end builders will scoff at the "stick construction" - but for those of you who want some ideas on how to make something nice looking on a budget....enjoy!

Two pics (see more at the link above)
Blank space to start with -
http://www.karenengel.com/img/v2/p318185535-4.jpg
Almost to the finish line -
http://www.karenengel.com/img/v0/p358090917-4.jpg

I have one main thing left to do - valances along the side of the curtains to hide the tracks. Optional - stage for more "Wow" factor, and riser with several seats across in the second row (we don't need really as we don't have many visitors). I'll be making a drop down GOM covered frame to hide the projector from direct view, while still keeping it open for air movement. I'm also considering painting the ceiling area above/around the screen wall dark red or black, but am so far resisting.

Any suggestions on extra ways we could "dress up" the look a bit more are welcome. Below is a list of basic materials/costs. I did end up going with GOM (Anchorage Onyx) thanks to some recommendations here and am very happy with it...very "pro" looking! I was not so happy with the vendor I bought it from though. :-( Anyway hope you all enjoy and thanks for sharing all the ideas in this forum, they inspired me and helped me out a great deal!

STORE ITEM QUANTITY COST TOTAL
Target Red Velour Drapes 12 25 300
Target Red Velour Valance 3 15 45
Craigslist DaLite 150” Wall Screen 1 400 400
Amazon Oppo DVD Player 1 150 150
Amazon Onkyo 7.1 Amp 1 250 250
Amazon Mitsubushi HD1000 1 870 870
Amazon Projector Ceiling Mount 1 55 55
Vann's Infinity PS12 Subwoofer 1 300 300
eLining Drapery Lining 20 6 120
WalMart Curtain Track 4 31 124
Fabricmate GOM Facade material 9 25 200
Home Depot Misc. Lumber etc. 12 150 150
GRAND TOTAL $2814

Looks nice.

Out of curiosity, why did you go with a 4:3 screen? Don't know if I've ever seen that.

Your front speakers should ideally be at head height (the tweeter), so you might want to put them on stands (or mount them) if you haven't already. Is your center still on the floor? Might want to put that on a stand too and angle it upward toward the seating area.

I'd definitely consider painting the ceiling. You could paint the tray part black and the inset red (or something else) if you want.

It looks great! Especially at that budget.

So umm who was your GOM vendor and why aren't you happy with them?

Your total is $2964. :) :)
What about the chairs? I like em with the room/\.

Scott

Looks nice.

Out of curiosity, why did you go with a 4:3 screen? Don't know if I've ever seen that.

Your front speakers should ideally be at head height (the tweeter), so you might want to put them on stands (or mount them) if you haven't already. Is your center still on the floor? Might want to put that on a stand too and angle it upward toward the seating area.

I'd definitely consider painting the ceiling. You could paint the tray part black and the inset red (or something else) if you want.

Thanks...the screen was used/like new off of Craig's List so it was a deal too good to pass on regardless of aspect ratio...(always can be altered w/framing). Also, the room is wired for Ethernet ands cable so there was a chance it could double as a TV setup as well.

The speakers and center are up now on stands...and ya, that paint above probably does need finishing above the screen wall. Thanks for the input! :)

It looks great! Especially at that budget.

So umm who was your GOM vendor and why aren't you happy with them?

Thanks! Theater is all smoke and mirrors, LOL.

It was Fabricmate dotcom. Upfront they had low prices, but didn't disclose tax or shipping up front. They also didn't give any shipping info without asking after it didn't arrive in a week after ordering, while their office was only 100 miles away. No. They ship from the other side of the country, charge local tax, and what amounted to 33% additional for "shipping and handling". Then they screwed up my address so the shipment got lost and I had to chase it for an extra couple of days. Zero chance i would ever do business with them again.

Your total is $2964. :) :)
What about the chairs? I like em with the room/\.

Scott

I love my chairs. All leather, bought at Sam's Club for $325 each with ottomans...they were the last two available or I might have gone for 3 in front the whole back row of 4 too! LOL I didn't count them in the budget as they are not strictly limited to the one room's use. We could have bought a couple of rows of seats, but that would have been just too OTT for our personal use.

Thanks!:D

I have had success with SilentSource for GoM orders. No tax and they charged about $20.00 to ship. I got the FR701 for $15/yard. I had success with them before. I only needed 9 more yards so my guess is that the fabricmate and silentsource prices would have been about the same +-$10.00.

This is my second order with them so I am not too concerned.

Can you post a pic with a movie playing? I am curious about how it looks with your setup.

Nice Theater!

My question is, where the heck is that at? It looks like it is a common room at a resort or a golf club.

Great job. What Walmart curtain track is that?

Thanks for the comments!

I don't see it in black there anymore but here's a link to the track -
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5150990
I searched far and wide to find something like this...never thought in a million years it would be at WalMart!!!!

It's actually a Levolor product - I took a pic and have it in my project gallery...
http://www.karenengel.com/p680279090/?photo=h0503674E#84109134

Next time we run a film I'll take a shot and post....thanks!

Nice Theater!

My question is, where the heck is that at? It looks like it is a common room at a resort or a golf club.

Thank you! Umm, no, it's my house LOL. Though we do live on a golf course and belong to the club...here's a balcony view just outside the sliding glass doors - behind one wall of the theater room...
http://www.karenengel.com/img/v3/p504668778-4.jpg

This might explain why we didn't want to close the room up completely for exclusive theater usage - when open it's a great space too. thus the "Convertible Theater"!

Thanks for the referral of Silent Source - they sound reasonable to deal with...I may try them out for the future. (Never know when I will enhance the build! :-)

Beautiful location. Looks like the Silver Creek Country Club in San Jose but definitely must be somewhere between Central CA to the Southern part of the Bay Area. I can tell by the hills. I moved to Texas ten years ago :(

Can you post a pic with a movie playing? I am curious about how it looks with your setup.

As promised...
http://www.karenengel.com/img/v0/p1068886255-4.jpg
Another -
http://www.karenengel.com/img/v0/p833081863-4.jpg

In dark, it's better of course...the few things I would like to finish don't jump out so much...LOL
As I tried to up the exposure to show more ambient light the screen got blown out and didn't look accurate anyway...regardless - when you're in those nice leather seats in front of a big screen with big sound, trust me, no one is looking for a spot in the room that isn't quite absolute perfection...
:D

Bought the paint today to take care of the ceiling area directly above the screen - that does need to go - too reflective.

Enjoy!

Beautiful location. Looks like the Silver Creek Country Club in San Jose but definitely must be somewhere between Central CA to the Southern part of the Bay Area. I can tell by the hills. I moved to Texas ten years ago :(

Thank you! You're right, just barely - It's in of all places...Bakersfield! (No one knows this, but there are actually some nice areas here, LOL)