Seems like yesterday we began construction to add a home theater, bedroom, bathroom and hallway upstairs. 2008-06-10 was the start date. I tried to document the stages as much as possible, taking pictures and video along the way.
The design goal was to have a space that allowed for easy relaxation, looked nice and had the best image quality and sound that our budget and room acoustics would allow. We are using a 5.1 setup but wired for 7.1.

Dimensions (w/in a few inches): See Sketchup Picture

Equipment:
A/V Receiver: Marantz SR8002
Projector: JVC RS1X
Screen: Stewart Firehawk G3 - 106”
Speakers: Revel Concerta's with (2) B12 Subs
Media Server: Escient SE-D1 Linked to a SONY - DVP-CX777ES - 400-Disc Changer
Gaming/Blu-ray: Sony Playstation PS3 – 80Gb
Remote: Marantz RC9001 w/ a Marantz RX9001 IR & Serial Extender
Rack: Middle Atlantic AX-XX-26 In Wall w/ Rails

Here are some pictures of the key stages...hopefully not too many for my first post. I also have an arguably boring video of footage taken along the way. I've uploaded it to Youtube but I'm not sure how to embed it in the thread. I'll just post a link and try to figure out how to embed later. Hit the HD button by the volume button if you have a high bandwidth connection.


Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU6pj_4SXcQ



http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/000SketchupBackTopwDIMENSIONS.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/010SketchupPlanTOP.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/030SketchupPlanBRCorner.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/040LakewoodGarageBeforeConstruction.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/060ConstructionDay01.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/070PlacingGarageBeamsAcrossIMG_1905.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/080OpenFrameCornerIMG_1925.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/090OpenFrameFrontIMG_1945.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/100ScreenWall-NoScreen-DSCN0337.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/110ScreenWallDSCN0337.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/120BackWall02DSCN0329.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/130HallwayLeadingintoHTDSCN0338.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/140OutsideBoards2008-06-16IMG_2047.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/150ScreenWallIMG_2054.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/160FrontWallWiringIMG_2277.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/170FrontWallWiringIMG_2350toIMG_235.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/180BackWallWiringIMG_2294.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/190BrickLayingIMG_2443.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/200IMG_2449BrickedExt.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/210SheetRockInstalledIMG_2486.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/220StageBuiltIMG_2590copy.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/240AcousticPanelsInstallIMG_2621.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/250AcousticPanelsInstallIMG_2624.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/270IMG_2716NanohagingMaterial.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/280IMG_2710HangingMaterial.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/290LakewoodHT2008-09-16BalconyDoors.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/300LeftWallAcousticPanelsIMG_2773.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/320BeforeStainPanoramaIMG_2773toIMG.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/330RiserIMG_2814.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/350ScreenSupportIMG_2721.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/360EquipmentRackExaustTubeIMG_2722.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/370HallwaytoTheaterIMG_2803.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/380FramingSupportforScreenIMG_2804.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/390StainingP1000015.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/410StainedP1000525.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/420EquipmentInstallP1010058.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/450AcousticPanelInstallP1010138.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/460ScreenInstallP1010150.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/470ProjectorInstallIMG_2848.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/480ProjectorSetupP1010177.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/500BeforeCarpetP1010602.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/510CarpetInstallP1010987JPG.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/520FinalFrontBackP1020895.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/530FinalFrontLookingBackP1020877.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/540FinalPanoP1030368toP1030372.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/545FrontExtP1050025.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/550ExtAngleP1050041.jpg

The room looks great. Very classy.

Sweet. Love the look of the woodwork. What kind of wood is that?

the plaster over the brick on the outside is nice. looks very.....venetian. (sp?)

the plaster over the brick on the outside is nice. looks very.....venetian. (sp?)

Thanks for the compliments.

Sweet. Love the look of the woodwork. What kind of wood is that?
All the wood is cherry.

Rastus

Excellent job... very well designed and finished!

A gorgeous theater. Well done. When I first saw the "stairs" though I was worried momentarily.

Regards,

RTROSE

Bootiful!

CD

mmmmm... cherry

excellent job

Very nice work. What kind of seating is that?

Beautiful room. I love the cherry woodwork. I'm planning on using cherry in my build and you have given me some ideas. You also forgot the final picture of you enjoying a movie ;)

So was all the work hired out? O were there things you completed yourself too. With the beginning to end gallery it was hard to tell, either way though, it looks great.

Very nice work. What kind of seating is that?
We bought the seating from a local company.
The front row couch works well because of the removable armrest. Below is a picture with one of the armrest pulled out. Also each end of the couch will recline.
Originally I did not want a screen any smaller than 110". The theater is quite a distance from the stair well and we felt it would be a good idea to have an egress (balcony w/ doors) in the theater. Leaving room for the doors to swing open creates @ 3' feet of dead space in the back of the room. As a result all our seating is 3' closer to the screen. Our integrator suggested we not get a screen bigger than 106". He was right. The couch is right on the edge of being an acceptable/comfortable distance from the screen. I say all this, to say, that the back cushion of the couch has a great slope that angles a person's head and neck perfectly at the screen. That helps.

So was all the work hired out? O were there things you completed yourself too. With the beginning to end gallery it was hard to tell, either way though, it looks great.
I designed the theater with some input from others. We had an interior decorator that handled the colors, lights, & blackout curtain. Like everyone on this forum, I read and studied like a man possessed. Then took bits and pieces I liked from different post and created different designs working in sketchup. I found Ronnie Jackson's theater thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=638024) particularly inspirational.
All the work was contracted out. We had exceptional crews all the way around. From the GC, to the framers to the stainers to the brickers.
Our HT Integrator was referred to us by a neighbor. He and his crew were/are excellent. Very knowledgeable and always made sure everything came together the way we had envisioned. He was great to work with and went the extra mile on more than one occasion. PM me if you need a system integrator.

Thanks again for the positive post. It's nice to read other people's opinion. A lot of work by many people made this theater possible.

Rastus


Couch with Armrest Pulled...
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/RastusW/AVS%20HT%20Construction%20Thread/_HTCouchP1050069800w.jpg

Gorgeous. You're a lucky boy.

Congratulations on a beautiful room and a job well done. I am sure it will provide you with many memorable years of enjoyment. Thanks for the photos, they provide a very good overview of the project from inception to completion. Enjoy!

Very nicely done...beautiful!

I noticed that not only did you add the room to the top of the garage, but an extension to the rest of the upper stairs on the main house. What all did you add besides the theather and hallway to the theater?

Very well done. I love the woodwork. I'm not too great on woods, but I think that wood is too clear for cherry, could it possibly be cherry-stained red oak?

CJ

Very well done. I love the woodwork. I'm not too great on woods, but I think that wood is too clear for cherry, could it possibly be cherry-stained red oak?

CJ

Thanks. I assure you it's cherry. :)

I have found it frustrating to accurately represent the colors of the theater. You'll notice the wood and stain look different from picture to picture. The final 2009-01-02 picture looking straight at the screen from the back is a pretty accurate representation. I have a great point and shoot camera, the Panasonic LX3, but it can only do so much.

Rastus

Rastus...

I would also like to echo everyones comments on your theater.. absolutely Beautiful .. I especially like the raised panel wainscot..

Would you happen to have the details on the carpet brand/name handy? Its a fantastic match with the warm wood tones.

Thanks
Brad

Very Nice !

Rastus...

I would also like to echo everyones comments on your theater.. absolutely Beautiful .. I especially like the raised panel wainscot..

Would you happen to have the details on the carpet brand/name handy? Its a fantastic match with the warm wood tones.

Thanks
Brad

Brad-

Thanks.
I'll post the carpet details shortly. I have to dig up the invoice.

Rastus

Rastus...

I would also like to echo everyones comments on your theater.. absolutely Beautiful .. I especially like the raised panel wainscot..

Would you happen to have the details on the carpet brand/name handy? Its a fantastic match with the warm wood tones.

Thanks
Brad

Brad-

The carpet is:
Brand: Kane Carpet
Style: Royal Flush
Color: 80 Sable or Sable 1355-0105/80
Very bottom of this web page. (http://www.kanecarpet.com/products/index.html?category=6&page=15&id=3305)

Wow awesome addition! The room turned out great! :)

Amazing job!!

Brad-

The carpet is:
Brand: Kane Carpet
Style: Royal Flush
Color: 80 Sable or Sable 1355-0105/80
Very bottom of this web page. (http://www.kanecarpet.com/products/index.html?category=6&page=15&id=3305)

Rastus..

Excellent! Thank You!

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time for the followup.

Brad

Thanks for the pics that is quite the undertaking and done very well!!

Great looking build, following your sig from my thread. I love the woodwork and the color choices, great combination.

Hi Rastus,

I think you're right, further discussion does not belong in the SVS-EQ1 thread.

When I had the theater built, of course I wanted to maximize the experience in every seat. You can look at my build thread in my signature but we had to have doors in the back for an egress. Doing so made us give up @ 3' in the back of the room. 3' is like a mile when planning out a theater. Otherwise we definitely would have had a bigger screen.I'd say they did you favor. 3' from the rear wall is ideal for avoiding bass buildup that happens if you sit 1'-2' away. Not very good back there especially if you are shooting for a good experience in all the seats.

Anyway to your point the front row has virtually never been used. Maybe we should have gone with a 110" or 120". :eek:

Regardless I'm very pleased with the theater. :)So it turns out I'm dead wrong about the money seat being front row center. Considering that's where everything comes together "textbook" regarding picture size and speaker locations, I'm curious what aspects of either picture or sound that you prefer from the rear seat.

And just to confirm, while you said the wires are run for 7.1 rears, they are not yet installed. Right?

I really like it. You have a great looking theater. It looks like a place I would love to chill out in and enjoy watching movies all day.

Beautiful theater Rastus....love the carpet and that's a LOT of Cherry. Just sitting here pondering what your millwork order alone came to :eek:

Beautiful theater Rastus....love the carpet and that's a LOT of Cherry. Just sitting here pondering what your millwork order alone came to :eek:

Just noticed this post. Thanks fotto.
You're correct about the mill-work bill. We will not do it again. A cheaper wood would have been sufficient and saved a lot of money. We will go a cheaper route if there's a next time.

The theater looks beautiful. Love the wood trims. Just curious if you don't mind I am asking, what is the cost of the garage top addition (not the theater job)? I am thinking doing the same thing down the road, you don't have to answer if you don't feel comfortable.