". . . And now, for something completely different . . ." (Monty Python)

Mark your calendars & set your DVR !!! (Alan Gouger, AVS Forum)

My recently completed basement remodel/HT build project has been documented and filmed from start to finish by HOME & GARDEN TV (HGTV), and will be shown on HGTV "NEW SPACES" this-coming Saturday, September 20 @ 8:30 AM (E.S.T. -- check your local cable/satellite company for channel listing).

This 30 minute episode proves to be an entire HT construction "on acid." You will see "LIVE" the transformation from my ugly-duckling "BEFORE" basement --- to the "AFTER" Home Theatre I've been dreaming of & planning for several years !!!

HGTV is more popular with the ladies than with the guys (IMO). My wife is featured prominently in the episode, and her metamorphosis from HT "non-believer" to "believer" is evident, and nothing short of miraculous! I bet if AVS Forum members (mostly male, I assume) get their "on the fence" and "non-believer" wives/girlfriends to watch the HGTV show, some more "conversions" to our side can happen. This is my way of spreading the "HT Gospel" !!!

I can't go into too much "detail" regarding the HT right now, but look for a "completed" HT build thread after the HGTV "New Spaces" show airs this Saturday 9/20/08.

Here's a "Sneak Preview" of the "RAINES ENTERTAINMENT EMPORIUM & SPORTS BAR."

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14665984#post14665984

Thanks & "Enjoy the Show,"
ArtieR

OK, set my Box to record. Looking forward to it. That sunken pit for the first row seating is something we don't see a lot. Use of color is extraordinary.

Can't wait to see the show - congrats!

Watching the episode now. I bet your down in your HT watching it right now.... Looking good so far!

WOW what a great room! Good job!

". . . And now, for something completely different . . ." (Monty Python)

Mark your calendars & set your DVR !!! (Alan Gouger, AVS Forum)

My recently completed basement remodel/HT build project has been documented and filmed from start to finish by HOME & GARDEN TV (HGTV), and will be shown on HGTV "NEW SPACES" this-coming Saturday, September 20 @ 8:30 AM (E.S.T. -- check your local cable/satellite company for channel listing).

This 30 minute episode proves to be an entire HT construction "on acid." You will see "LIVE" the transformation from my ugly-duckling "BEFORE" basement --- to the "AFTER" Home Theatre I've been dreaming of & planning for several years !!!

HGTV is more popular with the ladies than with the guys (IMO). My wife is featured prominently in the episode, and her metamorphosis from HT "non-believer" to "believer" is evident, and nothing short of miraculous! I bet if AVS Forum members (mostly male, I assume) get their "on the fence" and "non-believer" wives/girlfriends to watch the HGTV show, some more "conversions" to our side can happen. This is my way of spreading the "HT Gospel" !!!

I can't go into too much "detail" regarding the HT right now, but look for a "completed" HT build thread after the HGTV "New Spaces" show airs this Saturday 9/20/08.

Here's a "Sneak Preview" of the "RAINES ENTERTAINMENT EMPORIUM & SPORTS BAR."

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14665984#post14665984

Thanks & "Enjoy the Show,"
ArtieR

I just caught the last 8 or 10 minutes of the show. Love the space!! Wish I could have seen the whole thing.
As far as the wife and sitting on the fence is concerned. Guys, and gals of course… if you are truly interested in peaking their interest, just don't let them see the part where it cost in excess of 100K. :D
Nice room!!

Bring on the build thread I'd love to talk about your build now that I've seen the show. I see we share a passion for brownies or was that just for the kids?

Love the back-lit onyx and use of color.

Great show! I took out a lally column for my build, so I know how you felt when they put in the steel beam (worying about the house collapsing). Completely worth it, as it opens up the whole room. And I'll be honest, I saw the color scheme in the 2.35:1 theater picture thread and was a bit sceptical on how it would come together. But seeing it on the show, I now see that it works! Wish I had had the depth in my room to do the bar area at the back.

Where are your surround speakers and subwoofer? Any issues with the game table area off to the side and sound reflections?

Have fun in your "New Space"!!

--John

Great colors and space. But $110,000 and no popcorn machine? Or did they just not show it! :D

I enjoyed the show. What a great space. I too, liked the back-lit onyx. When they started to dig the pit for the front row of seating I thought wow. The only comment that I have is that I bet the average viewer of the show probably thinks in order to have a home theater experience you need to have $100,000 cash to invest.

When I have watched New Spaces before I have always been curious how often the film crew shows up. Sometimes the remodels that they do take a year to accomplish. Artie, I hope your build thread elaborates on the process as to how the TV show process all works.

Good show and great result. I know you are enjoying the theater.

I noticed they were putting up drywall with nails. Haven't seen that, don't think we could do it with the codes here.

Allen

Artie, I loved the show. Shopping for my bathroom countertop and couldn't help but look at the onyx. Yours was stunning. Great feature on your space. I don't think I would have had enough courage to tear down walls. They did a great job.

Bring on the build thread I'd love to talk about your build now that I've seen the show. I see we share a passion for brownies or was that just for the kids?

Love the back-lit onyx and use of color.
BIGMOUTH --- I'm glad you got to see the show!!! Hope you enjoyed it. I've followed and learned plenty from your phenomenal construction thread.

My "completed build thread" is in the final stages of completion, and now that the HGTV episode has aired nationwide, I won't be "stealing their thunder," so I'll be posting it VERY SOON.

YES, WE LOVE BROWNIES (or anything Chocolate for that matter)!!!! If you ever make it to Atlanta (CEDIA 2009 ????) you have an open invitation to come on by & "The Raines Girlz" will whip up a quick batch for you to enjoy while you check out our HT in person.

To All who watched: I invite any comments (both positive and constructive critical/negative) on the HGTV episode and photos -- after all, it is about the "learning experience"!!

Thanks,
ArtieR

Great show! I took out a lally column for my build, so I know how you felt when they put in the steel beam (worying about the house collapsing). Completely worth it, as it opens up the whole room. And I'll be honest, I saw the color scheme in the 2.35:1 theater picture thread and was a bit sceptical on how it would come together. But seeing it on the show, I now see that it works! Wish I had had the depth in my room to do the bar area at the back.

Where are your surround speakers and subwoofer? Any issues with the game table area off to the side and sound reflections?

Have fun in your "New Space"!!

--John
Yep, the ripping out the structural support wall between the 2 rooms was indeed the most "pulse raising" part of the whole process. Fortunately, HGTV did not film the "light green puddle" that formed by my feet when one of the hoists collapsed!!!

I have to give credit where credit is due --- Once I "sold" her on the ideal of doing the HT, It was my wife's idea to "well then, let's do it right" and combine the 2 rooms to make the bigger HT. "AMEN" to the power of "Reverse Psychology."

My sound system is an all Polk Audio. My surround speakers (2) LC60i are concealed in the ceiling treys above the side aisles between Row 1 (the sunken pit) and Row 2 (the middle row). The 2 rear LC65FX in-walls are on the rear wall behind the countertop. My subwoofers are sonically/strategically/aesthetically located -- (1) Polk DSW Pro 500 + the (2) 10" powered subs in the Polk Audio LSi25's are behind the SMX 130" audio-transparent curved screen. The 2nd DSW Pro 500 is at the bottom of my rack (between the middle row & Row 3 (the onyx coumtertop/bar stools). The audio quality in the HT is SIMPLY AWESOME --- and we are still awaiting our Acoustic wall treatments to arrive!!! No problem at all with the sound in the "L-shaped" room due to the Game table/Fireplace alcove.

As far as the wife and sitting on the fence is concerned. Guys, and gals of course… if you are truly interested in peaking their interest, just don't let them see the part where it cost in excess of 100K. :D
Nice room!!

I enjoyed the show. What a great space. I too, liked the back-lit onyx. When they started to dig the pit for the front row of seating I thought wow. The only comment that I have is that I bet the average viewer of the show probably thinks in order to have a home theater experience you need to have $100,000 cash to invest.

When I have watched New Spaces before I have always been curious how often the film crew shows up. Sometimes the remodels that they do take a year to accomplish. Artie, I hope your build thread elaborates on the process as to how the TV show process all works.

My contractor scheduled significant construction events to coordinate with HGTV filmcrew availability. This added several months to the project, but we were "kool" with it:

HGTV Filming Day #1 -- "Before shots" and demolition.
HGTV Filming Day #2 -- Steel support beam install.
HGTV Filming Day #3 -- insulation and trip to pick out the onyx slab.
HGTV Filming Day #4 -- decision to abandon riser and dig the sunken pit.
HGTV Filming Day #5 -- the actual pit concrete pouring.
HGTV Filming Day #6 -- SMX Curved AT screen & PJ installation + Bar room
HGTV Filming Day #7 -- Onyx countertop & columns install + carpet laying.
HGTV Filming Day #8 -- "After shots" and final "reveal" day

My "guestimate" was they had to "edit" approx. 50+ HOURS of videotape to cone down to the 25 minute show (commercials not included) !!!!!!

Regarding the $110K Cost :eek::(--- the amount quoted was for the entire theater room build (including furniture, fabrics, carpet, lighting fixtures, HVAC, the onyx, and AV equipment/screen) + the sports bar room + the stairwell enclosure!!!! Given that this was NOT a DIY project, I think I got one helluva deal!!!! For me (a very busy Orthopaedic Surgeon, for whom a less than 60-hour work-week means "vacation"), time = money. I'm sure the same project could have been built for substantially less money (but during a much longer time period) by some of my AVS Forum part-time/after hours and on weekends "DIY HEROES" I've come to admire. (you know who you are). Costs of HT build-outs is very relative, variable, and indeed mimics the "bell-shaped-curve." You get what you pay for (and pay what you can afford). :cool:

Great colors and space. But $110,000 and no popcorn machine? Or did they just not show it! :D

Could not show everything in the 30 minute show --- but here it is --- we call it the "PopKorn & Kandy Kloset":

Man - I missed it.....was talking to Big about it today.

Do you know if it will be airing again anytime soon?

Cheers,
Mark

YES, WE LOVE BROWNIES (or anything Chocolate for that matter)!!!!

That explains why 12 of the 14 candy items in that closet have chocolate as one of the ingredients. You even have my favorite, Junior mints. That's it, next time I'm in Atlanta..................

Here's a negative critique!!!

The show wasn't long enough...:D

Everything else was stunning;) When they started digging out that pit, I was like wowwwww!!!!!

Great show and a great theater; looks like you have a great family too, congrats.

I missed it, any chance you have a link to where I can view it online?

Great show ! I recorded it for my wife. Next time she says I'm going overboard I'll just have to hit play for her. Congrats on getting to do a real dream build.

Had my mom and kids watch the show with me. As soon as my mom saw your development she insisted it was somewhere in Atlanta (my dad lived down there for quite some time while working for Delta). I told her I can check online to see if he listed his locale and sure enough it was East Cobb. Beautiful neighborhood.

We're on our way as well having a GC build our HT. My daughter asked me how come Mr. Jim (our builder) doesn't have that many helpers. I told her well maybe since they're filming everyone wanted to be on tv. That was one gigantic crew!

I told her well maybe since they're filming everyone wanted to be on tv. That was one gigantic crew!

I'm convinced that several of those guys carrying the beam had no idea what they were going to be doing for the day as they stood outside a local 7-11 at 7 AM that morning.

At least that is how those kind of projects get done in my county.

Looks like some of them might have received a polo shirt as part of the deal.

My contractor scheduled significant construction events to coordinate with HGTV filmcrew availability. This added several months to the project, but we were "kool" with it:

HGTV Filming Day #1 -- "Before shots" and demolition.
HGTV Filming Day #2 -- Steel support beam install.
HGTV Filming Day #3 -- insulation and trip to pick out the onyx slab.
HGTV Filming Day #4 -- decision to abandon riser and dig the sunken pit.
HGTV Filming Day #5 -- the actual pit concrete pouring.
HGTV Filming Day #6 -- SMX Curved AT screen & PJ installation + Bar room
HGTV Filming Day #7 -- Onyx countertop & columns install + carpet laying.
HGTV Filming Day #8 -- "After shots" and final "reveal" day

My "guestimate" was they had to "edit" approx. 50+ HOURS of videotape to cone down to the 25 minute show (commercials not included) !!!!!!

Regarding the $110K Cost :eek::(--- the amount quoted was for the entire theater room build (including furniture, fabrics, carpet, lighting fixtures, HVAC, the onyx, and AV equipment/screen) + the sports bar room + the stairwell enclosure!!!! Given that this was NOT a DIY project, I think I got one helluva deal!!!! For me (a very busy Orthopaedic Surgeon, for whom a less than 60-hour work-week means "vacation"), time = money. I'm sure the same project could have been built for substantially less money (but during a much longer time period) by some of my AVS Forum part-time/after hours and on weekends "DIY HEROES" I've come to admire. (you know who you are). Costs of HT build-outs is very relative, variable, and indeed mimics the "bell-shaped-curve." You get what you pay for (and pay what you can afford). :cool:



Could not show everything in the 30 minute show --- but here it is --- we call it the "PopKorn & Kandy Kloset":


I knew there had to be one in their somewhere!!

Great show and a great theater; looks like you have a great family too, congrats.

Metric you beat me to the punch. I DVR'd the show and have watched it three times already. My wife enjoyed it, too.

We enjoyed seeing such a nice family on TV.

I didn't have the height for a riser either, but never considered your solution. Clever!

I can't wait for the build thread. (Of course, I have to do one of my own!)

I loved that you dug out a pit vs. building a riser. Way cooler.

WOW! Great theater and basement area. I see a new trend in sunken front rows. Where did you get that carpet? I love the retro-modern look.

WOW! Great theater and basement area. I see a new trend in sunken front rows. Where did you get that carpet? I love the retro-modern look.

With the sunken front rows, I wonder who then will be the first to name their theater the Sump Pump Theater.

I just watched the show again, glad I recorded it. The columns with the ONYX. So cool.

Artie:
My wife and I watched the show together. I knew I would enjoy it, but she did as well. It looks like you are blessed with a great family. We got a good laugh over your wife's comment concerning the pit being just about big enough to fit you. I told my wife that if I had that theater, I would not be opposed to being buried in that pit (after my natural demise, of course!).

A few questions:
Did you utilize any particular SMX product, or just the material?

Since I am local, can you share the supplier of the Onyx? My design included some Travertine elements, but I was so impressed by your backlighted surfaces that I am rethinking this now.

Can you give more details how you backlight the Onyx? Are you using LED's or special lighting?

Was double drywall the only sound isolation technique you used? Are you happy with it?

Thanks,
Gerry

Just watched the show on the DVR with my wife. We are both very impressed. Great room, and we were impressed by the taste you and your family had in making some bold choices. Bravo.

I was a bit disappointed not to see accoustic treatments, but glad to see it is being addressed, but didn't make the show.

I wondered also about the sound isolation results with the pocket door.

But really, really, a beaut of a room. Kudos.