Haven't quite nailed down an official name yet :cool:

Well, Media Room has been "usable" for some time (years!), but I am finally getting around to redoing it more like I really want too (within reason) :cool:

Here are pics of the way the room has been (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=misc%5CMediaRoom%5C2006%2D12%2D08+Pics).

Room is basically 17.5' x 13.5'. Not as large as I'd like (is it ever?), but it's managable. The main problem is the entry is in the back of the room, so I lose quite a bit of seat to screen distance already.

Anyhow, basic plan is a new front stage, 6 columns on the side walls (4 of which will hold wall sconces), new riser for the current/rear seating, Pseudo tray that will mount on the side and front walls just on top of the columns, which will also house the rope lighting, a chair rail dividing the upper/lower wall sections, new acoustic treatments, and new carpet.

We are trying to keep using the room (a few times a week at least) as long as we can while I'm tearing things up. As such, I'm working on various projects within the room in an order defined by that need.

I started the stage before Christmas, but the holidays put most progress on hold: Pictures here (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2006%2D12%2D11+Starting+Stag e).

Now that the holidays are behind me, I started working on the room again. Here is the latest progress: Pictures (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D01%2D05+Window+%2D+St age).
Basically, got the window framed in, insulated, sheet rocked and mudded. Also determined the size and design of my columns (this has changed a few times :o ); got the birch laminated to the front curve of the stage, and started the framing for the front wall tray supports.

I have my GOM on order, and the lower wall acoustic insulation is here. I picked up and ripped the 6 pieces of birch I will be using for the front of the columns today, but didn't have time to sand or start staining yet (plus it's humid here... raining a bit).

I won't be blazing a trail on construction, but I'm glad to finally get moving on it again. :p

Oh.... another minor thing: From my earlier pictures, you can see I was using a 92" 16:9 screen (HCCV), but I have changed that out to a new 106" 16:9 screen from Screen Innovations (the size I originally wanted, but got a deal on the 92" years ago).

Also swapping out projectors... going to try the new Mitsubishi HD1000U this time.

Okay... spent a little time this afternoon sanding and putting the first 2 coats of stain on the 6 column faces, and also the face of the curved section of the stage. Plan on doing 1 more coat on all later this evening, so that I might be able to start the poly clear tomorrow.

Stopped back by the shop last night, and put the last coat of stain on the column faces, and also the stage.

Got around to cutting the sides of the columns today, and at least getting them semi-prepped. Took a few pictures of the stained column faces also. I didn't get to start the clear on them yet, since I wanted to give them another day to dry out. Here are a few pictures (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D01%2D08+Columns).

Time and the weather haven't been on my side, so some slow progress. Did get the columns pretty much done. I did however make a nice 1" long incision down my ring finger with a fresh razor blade while covering the sides of the columns with the fabric. :o

Just have to cut the holes on 4 of them for the sconces and get them installed, so not a big deal really. Pictures are here (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D01%2D15+Columns).

Next steps are to work more on the stage and the front soffit, and also pickup the paint and paint the ceiling. Then I can finally start on the wall treatments with any luck :rolleyes:

Looking good, while I am sure that many people on here would frown on your idea of keeping the room functional while working, I admire it. Even if it slows you down, you can work at a pace that is comfortable and still relax for a movie every once in a while.

Good work.
Brian

Thanks... yea, we watch a few shows in HD in there during the week too. It will be soon enough we won't be able to watch in there, and will have to resort to the 60" downstairs :cool:

Got the paint on the ceiling (and above where the soffit will be) today. Took quite a while to do the ceiling, especially with a dark color. Still have a little touching up to do, but not much. Pictures from today (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D01%2D19+Ceiling+paint ).

Little more progress today. Got the columns up, and the sconces wired. Glad to have this step finally complete. Here are some pictures (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D01%2D20+Columns).

Next is to finish up the front stage and front soffit area, then start work on the soffit that will cap all the columns.

Mike:

I like what you've done with the columns and sconces.

Thanks... wish the pictures did them justice. They really do look better in person ;) Wife and kids are finally starting to see my vision, although they don't see it "all" yet :)

I'm getting ready to upgrade my space as well . What you are doing is of great interest to me . I replaced the white ceiling tiles with Black ones and painted the walls a deep red . The made a dramatic improvement on the picture .

I can see the vision and it looks great.

You are either very good or very brave to paint the ceiling with the screen hanging in the room. Did you at least cover it?

lol... yea, I have a 9'x12' paint tarp I moved around as I painted various areas of the room, and that included the screen :p

MikeN,

Great job with the columns, they look fantastic. I was trying to work columns into my plans but thought it might be to difficult due to space constraints. I'm trying to get 2 rows of seating into the theater and need enough space for people to get to the second row these might just fit the bill. Sconces also look great, good luck with the rest of the project.

Thanks...

Made more progress today, as I finally got the stage closer to completion. Here are pictures and notes from today (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D01%2D22+Stage).

Man that sand made a HUGE difference... it's definately DEAD now :cool:

Made a little video showing the difference in the stage resonance between the sand filled area, and the insulation packed area... not the best audio, but you can get a sense of it.

Video is here (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?a=ddl&m=org&id=qiirhnxrfetw)

Also finally determined how I'm going to put my fabric up... as this has been a debate for a while. So I started attaching the vertical firring strips next to the columns. I am ripping down 2x4's to 1.5x1 and using them for the strips.

I will lift off the columns (since I used french cleats) and staple the fabric on the side of the furring strips. When the column goes back on, it will hide everything. As for the top and bottom, that's pretty easy... On the lower section, the molding at the floor, and the chair rail will hide the staples. On the top section, I will staples the fabric on the top edge of the upper furring strip and THEN place the fabric covered soffit on top of that.

what is a furring strip?

Sorry... Firring strip :)

Speaking of those... I got more of them up today. Here are pictures (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D01%2D30+Prepping+wall s).

Got some of the lower acoustic insulation up... just waiting on my batting order to come in so I can start the upper section and at least get the fabric up for the area between the columns.

Pictures are here. (http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?dir=Home+Theater%5C2007%2D02%2D02+Walls)

what is a furring strip?

Furring strips are strips of wood attached to a wall or ceiling to provide something to nail / screw into when hanging drywall, etc. For example, if you had a concrete block wall and wanted to drywall over it, you could attach pressure treated 1x2s along the face of the block wall with masonry screws, and then nail / screw the drywall to the furring strips (well, don't call me for a code violation there if I'm wrong, just an example).

Sorry for the lack of progress.... been swamped with other things, and haven't had time to work on the room lately. Also, still waiting on my batting for the upper walls. I do have some things I can do, but time hasn't been on my side. Hope to have some updates in the next week :)

At least we've been able to continue to use the room... still watching movies and our nightly HD shows on occassion ;)