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Star Ceilings... Painted or Fiber optics? - Page 13

post #361 of 680
6/9/11 at 3:50pm
I currently have 2 different types of Blacklights in use. Four 48" lights are from American DJ that I ordered online and the other two are 48" lights are from Spencers. I replaced the lights in all with blacklights stocked at Lowes, they are a larger wattage -40 instead of 20. If I had to do it again I would have just purchased the Spencer lights, surprisingly they are built very well and i could pick them up locally.
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post #362 of 680
6/10/11 at 12:43am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info. So... to make sure I understand, you got lights from a couple different places, but changed all the lights out with some that you got at Lowes? I got a little confused there.

Whatever you did... your room looks great!




Quote:
Originally Posted by GTarrant View Post

I currently have 2 different types of Blacklights in use. Four 48" lights are from American DJ that I ordered online and the other two are 48" lights are from Spencers. I replaced the lights in all with blacklights stocked at Lowes, they are a larger wattage -40 instead of 20. If I had to do it again I would have just purchased the Spencer lights, surprisingly they are built very well and i could pick them up locally.
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post #363 of 680
6/10/11 at 2:57pm
I am using eight 4' blacklights for my mural. They are American DJ and am very pleased with the look. The fixtures are low profile and hide away very well. Not sure about the fixtures from Lowes, but from what I saw, the fixtures are bulkier than the American DJ's.
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post #364 of 680
6/10/11 at 3:28pm
What's the rule of thumb as far as the number of black lights to use? My starfield area will be about 12' x 12'. I was thinking (2) 4' black lights on each side, so a total of eight.
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post #365 of 680
6/10/11 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by xzener View Post

I am using eight 4' blacklights for my mural. They are American DJ and am very pleased with the look. The fixtures are low profile and hide away very well. Not sure about the fixtures from Lowes, but from what I saw, the fixtures are bulkier than the American DJ's.

Sorry I should have been a little more clear. I purchased lights from Lowes. They are thicker and provide more wattage than the supplied lights with the American DJ and Spencers fixtures. They definitly provide more pop.
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post #366 of 680
6/10/11 at 9:41pm
Nightskymurals when you come to Texas and paint my HT my treat.
pulled pork, brisket, chicken, sausage, ribs,and chopped brisket.
Plate 1 and 2. North main Bar BQ $15 all you can eat. And it is good. Real good.
LL
LL
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post #367 of 680
6/11/11 at 2:13am
Thread Starter 
I would almost think that 1 on each wall, or two on opposing walls would work fine. But, if you were to put two 4' lights on each wall.... you will definitely be covered, no question.

My master bedroom, where I have a mural, is something like 13 x 15 and I have just 4 spiral CFL lights under my ceiling fan that is centered in the room.... and they charge up my entire ceiling. So, you will definitely have no problems. The far corners of my room, while the paint there does get light... they could get a little more.

Jeff


Quote:
Originally Posted by mcascio View Post

What's the rule of thumb as far as the number of black lights to use? My starfield area will be about 12' x 12'. I was thinking (2) 4' black lights on each side, so a total of eight.
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post #368 of 680
6/11/11 at 2:17am
Thread Starter 
You are so being taken up on this offer!!! I stared at those pictures and for a few minutes, in my mind, I was actually there. It was great. I'm ready!




Quote:
Originally Posted by trenter33 View Post

Nightskymurals when you come to Texas and paint my HT my treat.
pulled pork, brisket, chicken, sausage, ribs,and chopped brisket.
Plate 1 and 2. North main Bar BQ $15 all you can eat. And it is good. Real good.
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post #369 of 680
6/11/11 at 11:39pm
This thread is awesome! I am SO going to do this or have Jeff do some work for me in the next year. Seriously great thread!
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post #370 of 680
6/15/11 at 9:44am
Thread Starter 
Hi "newRTVuser"...

Thanks for the comment. I never realized that so many people would have such an interest in this thread... though I thought they should. I think that a star ceiling, be it fiber optics or painted, is a must for a theater room. They are so relaxing.

Anyway, this thread took on a life of it's own with all of the great questions and comments by the other members here... so I just hope that I can answer a few questions and help people add something extra (that's really cool) to what they are already doing.

Thanks for checking the thread out! Jump on in with questions whenever you have them.

Jeff

Quote:
Originally Posted by newRTVuser View Post

This thread is awesome! I am SO going to do this or have Jeff do some work for me in the next year. Seriously great thread!
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post #371 of 680
6/15/11 at 10:32am
Those murals are just plain awesome ! I wish I could afford one of those. I remember when I was a kid I had gotten for Christmas a pack of stick on stars, I stuck them all over my ceiling and some on the top of the sidewalls, and then I started cutting the scraps in smaller and smaller circles and put them up in between the star shaped ones, I was proud of my ceiling lol, that was probably 20+ years ago.
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post #372 of 680
6/15/11 at 11:05am
Thread Starter 
71sbeetle...

I know what you mean. I had friends who had those sticker stars on their ceilings too. I don't know why I never did... just didn't. Maybe because we would go camping in the redwoods enough to give me my fix enough that I never took the time to put them up.

And, back then... the stickers only lasted 15 to 20 minutes. I couldn't see going to all of that work for such a short-lived sky. :-)

Check around to see if there are any local places that do the fiber optics or paintings. You can at least find out what they charge. Then you'll know for sure if you can, or can't, afford something on your ceiling. You never know.

I also just offered 2 murals to be auctioned off at a fundraiser for a 7 year old that has cancer and is going through all of the medical stuff. So, maybe you can look into that, get one of those and then when I am out in FL again, I can paint one for you. The auction is in Salt Lake City in August (I think). It just kills me when I see sick kids, and since I have no other talent in this world that is worth anything... I was happy to be able to offer a couple of murals.

If you do decide to check around in your area... be careful and try to get a peek at some of their work. You can also email me and I may be able to find out if they are any good.

Thanks for your nice words!

Jeff



Quote:
Originally Posted by 71sbeetle View Post

Those murals are just plain awesome ! I wish I could afford one of those. I remember when I was a kid I had gotten for Christmas a pack of stick on stars, I stuck them all over my ceiling and some on the top of the sidewalls, and then I started cutting the scraps in smaller and smaller circles and put them up in between the star shaped ones, I was proud of my ceiling lol, that was probably 20+ years ago.
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post #373 of 680
6/15/11 at 11:44am
NightSky

Have you ever experimented with stars on the wall? Just wondering if there are any unique problems with doing them on the wall vs. only on the ceiling.

A friend of mine is thinking of doing a star wars themed theater and we were toying with the idea of a mural on the wall, like a view through a window of a star ship...with the glowing stars.
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post #374 of 680
6/21/11 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
Hi Trussman...

Absolutely! Stars down, or on the wall are great... and it changes the entire look of the mural.

First, bringing the mural down (vs windows)... I have, many times, extended the mural right down the walls too, and make the wall part of the mural look like the stars go down to mountains that are surrounding the room. The mountains are more of a silhouette than anything that jumps out at you... and that really opens up the feel of a room. It changes from a ceiling seeming to be removed to you being removed and placed in a valley somewhere. I will also outline the mountains too, at times, which isn't quite as natural, but the mountains pop out and it creates a nice scene. Or, I will also do one wall, and then a partial wall on each side of the "full wall"... and paint it to look more like the sun has set in that direction and there is just enough light to outline the mountains. Not sure that I am explaining myself here... but just know that yes, it can and has been done and it looks really nice.

As for windows... that is another really fun thing to add to a mural, or by themselves. I have done a lot of windows too, both round (as in a space ship) and more traditional rectangle (as if on a normal wall) and it creates fun additions to the dark.

I just painted a mural over a couples bed (they wanted an 8 foot diameter circle) and I centered it... but the way that the lady slept (on her side facing the wall) she didn't see the mural once she rolled over. So, I asked her if she wanted a window painted on the wall next to her bed. She jumped at it and loved it. I put her favorite constellation in it and she was probably as happy to get that little window as she was the larger one on the ceiling.

So carry on with those plans. They are good plans and will work.

Jeff


Quote:
Originally Posted by premiertrussman View Post

NightSky

Have you ever experimented with stars on the wall? Just wondering if there are any unique problems with doing them on the wall vs. only on the ceiling.

A friend of mine is thinking of doing a star wars themed theater and we were toying with the idea of a mural on the wall, like a view through a window of a star ship...with the glowing stars.
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post #375 of 680
6/21/11 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 
Truss man... you mentioned Star Wars and I though that you might like this. I had this made of the son of the billionaire I just painted for... but the "decorator" didn't think it would go with the decor. OK, this is a Star Wars junkie (the kid and probably dad) and the decorator kept thinking that this was supposed to go on the window... even though I told her that it could be set on his shelf. I wanted to paint a night sky on it so that Yoda would be visible in the light and then the night sky in the dark. Anyway, it is now sitting in my room and I am trying to decide if I want to paint the night sky on it so that it would look like a spaceship window (as you mentioned) in the dark.

Anyway, you reminded me of it so I thought I'd show you.

Jeff


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post #376 of 680
6/21/11 at 1:23pm
Haha holy crap that is awesome!

I'll have to show that to my buddy. He will get as kick out of it.
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post #377 of 680
6/21/11 at 3:02pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks! I thought it was pretty cool and wish that the decorator wouldn't have been afraid to at least ask if they wanted it.

Anyway, let me know what your friend thinks of it, would you? I am wondering if there is a market out there for this... now that I have this on sitting in my room. I know my kids all want it... and my marketing guys too. But, I am wondering what others think.

Thanks.

Jeff




Quote:
Originally Posted by premiertrussman View Post

Haha holy crap that is awesome!

I'll have to show that to my buddy. He will get as kick out of it.
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post #378 of 680
6/21/11 at 3:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NightSkyMurals View Post

Absolutely! Stars down, or on the wall are great... and it changes the entire look of the mural.

First, bringing the mural down (vs windows)... I have, many times, extended the mural right down the walls too, and make the wall part of the mural look like the stars go down to mountains that are surrounding the room. The mountains are more of a silhouette than anything that jumps out at you... and that really opens up the feel of a room. It changes from a ceiling seeming to be removed to you being removed and placed in a valley somewhere. I will also outline the mountains too, at times, which isn't quite as natural, but the mountains pop out and it creates a nice scene. Or, I will also do one wall, and then a partial wall on each side of the "full wall"... and paint it to look more like the sun has set in that direction and there is just enough light to outline the mountains. Not sure that I am explaining myself here... but just know that yes, it can and has been done and it looks really nice.


Jeff

Jeff,

I confess...I've been mulling over something like what you described above for several months now.

I think the outline of the mountain ridge just above our home (part of the Blue Ridge Parkway) could be rendered to very realistic effect by extending our night sky mural down the wall, especially on the north side of the room.

Based upon your working visit to our place last year, can you conjure up a vision of what I'm seeing in my mind's eye?


Tom
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post #379 of 680
6/21/11 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NightSkyMurals View Post

Thanks! I thought it was pretty cool and wish that the decorator wouldn't have been afraid to at least ask if they wanted it.

Anyway, let me know what your friend thinks of it, would you? I am wondering if there is a market out there for this... now that I have this on sitting in my room. I know my kids all want it... and my marketing guys too. But, I am wondering what others think.

Thanks.

Jeff

Im guessing there would be plenty of a market for awesome stain glass yodas and the likes. Im guessing something like that is on the pricey side, but hey those star wars freaks will pay through the nose for awesome stuff like that.
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post #380 of 680
6/21/11 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
Tom, I have your room in my mind... but which is the "North" wall? I'm assuming that it "Isn't" the screen wall, right? I can be pretty bright at times. :-)

I know that there is the entry wall, the right, long wall (that slants) or the far side wall that are left. Which are you thinking about?

Actually, thinking about it... the slanted wall would have been a good wall. But, refresh my memory on which way is north.

I would make anything work for you two... if it is at all possible. So, let's think about it.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Hilton View Post

Jeff,

I think the outline of the mountain ridge just above our home (part of the Blue Ridge Parkway) could be rendered to very realistic effect by extending our night sky mural down the wall, especially on the north side of the room.

Based upon your working visit to our place last year, can you conjure up a vision of what I'm seeing in my mind's eye?


Tom
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post #381 of 680
6/21/11 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Well, since I had it made as a gift... I wasn't thinking about a price for retail, but I am thinking that somewhere around $185 plus shipping. Anyway, I'll give it some thought and see what I can find out. I do know that there are a lot of Star Wars fans out there. :-)

By the way... It is made to look like stained glass, and even has the lead like it. I couldn't believe it when I saw some of this guys work. And, I wondered how the Yoda would look and loved the way it turned out

Jeff



Quote:
Originally Posted by premiertrussman View Post

Im guessing there would be plenty of a market for awesome stain glass yodas and the likes. Im guessing something like that is on the pricey side, but hey those star wars freaks will pay through the nose for awesome stuff like that.
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post #382 of 680
6/22/11 at 6:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NightSkyMurals View Post

Well, since I had it made as a gift... I wasn't thinking about a price for retail, but I am thinking that somewhere around $185 plus shipping. Anyway, I'll give it some thought and see what I can find out. I do know that there are a lot of Star Wars fans out there. :-)

By the way... It is made to look like stained glass, and even has the lead like it. I couldn't believe it when I saw some of this guys work. And, I wondered how the Yoda would look and loved the way it turned out

Jeff

That seems reasonable. So your saying its not stained glass?
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post #383 of 680
6/22/11 at 6:28am
Jeff,

I am looking to buy paint from you and left PM. Would be great if you could reply with details.

P.S: May be time for you to setup template details about buying paint from you.
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post #384 of 680
6/22/11 at 6:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anbudan_prabha View Post

jeff,

p.s: May be time for you to setup template details about buying paint from you.

+1 if its allowed by the moderators.
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post #385 of 680
6/22/11 at 9:58am
Post details of the charity auction when you have them. I live in Utah County and may be interested. I'm undecided on whether I would like to go painted or fiber optic in my theater, but may bid anyway and do it in a kids room if I decide to go fiber optic.

My biggest concern with the painted stars is that I want a dark ceiling. I'd really like to see a painted ceiling in action.
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post #386 of 680
6/24/11 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NightSkyMurals View Post

Tom, I have your room in my mind... but which is the "North" wall? I'm assuming that it "Isn't" the screen wall, right? I can be pretty bright at times. :-)

I know that there is the entry wall, the right, long wall (that slants) or the far side wall that are left. Which are you thinking about?

Actually, thinking about it... the slanted wall would have been a good wall. But, refresh my memory on which way is north.

I would make anything work for you two... if it is at all possible. So, let's think about it.


Jeff,

This is probably more info than you want or need ...but maybe the following can help clarify the orientation of my theater room. As it happens, the actual room dimensions are based on the direction of true north as determined by the home site survey---000 degrees. ("degrees" is denoted by *).

So, using the navigational terminology that I was taught in the Navy, here's the layout of the room: The screen wall is directly west (270*), the right side wall is directly north (000*), the slanted wall behind the seating is directly east (090*), and the left side wall (the side with the entrance) is directly south (180*).

So, when facing the screen, the north wall is the side wall to your right. I think that must be the wall you described as "the far side wall", i. e., the farthest wall as seen from the entry.

And I agreelet's definitely be thinking about the possibilities.


Tom
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post #387 of 680
7/12/11 at 4:03pm
Hi all.
I have recently stumbled across this thread whilst sourcing any info on ceiling murals.
It's a fantastic thread and I feel completely enlightened (and motivated) after finally reading it in it's entirity thismorning.

Our room is not truly dedicated and although blacked out, there are windows, a fireplace, 2 sets of doors and other objects which make a perimeter soffit impossible (on our budget).
I won't rant on with too much info on what is my very first post here on AVS, but we do have a matt black ceiling already and I want to create a "window" above (around 5' x 8') looking up to the stars.
My intention is to paint a mural on a panel, and then fix it in a soffit style frame to the ceiling directly above the main seats in our humble HT. The frame giving the illusion of depth to the mural.
Has anybody just painted a "picture" mural without the glow on the dark?
Initial trials give me hope that with an extremely dark pallette , white and shades of blue/grey stars, would stand out quite well on their own with just the available room lighting and when the projector is on, the reflection from the screen.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
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post #388 of 680
7/12/11 at 4:21pm
I have been watching this thread for some time and just I would like to show you another type of Glow in the Dark Star Ceiling. I have specialized in also creating these types of ceilings for a long long time. I like you work NSC, just though I would throw in a recent one of mine.
This was created in a house in Utah for their cinema room. I specialize in DEEP SPACE ceilings , these types of ceilings can take anything up to a week or more to create. I also do the basic star ceiling.
This image was taken with NO light after the Star Ceiling had been charged under UV.
http://www.profxartists.com/images/P...LIN2689_45.jpg

Hope you like the image this was created in a 30' by 20' room.
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post #389 of 680
7/12/11 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProFx Murals View Post
I have been watching this thread for some time and just I would like to show you another type of Glow in the Dark Star Ceiling. I have specialized in also creating these types of ceilings for a long long time. I like you work NSC, just though I would throw in a recent one of mine.
This was created in a house in Utah for their cinema room. I specialize in DEEP SPACE ceilings , these types of ceilings can take anything up to a week or more to create. I also do the basic star ceiling.
This image was taken with NO light after the Star Ceiling had been charged under UV.
http://www.profxartists.com/images/P...LIN2689_45.jpg

Hope you like the image this was created in a 30' by 20' room.


Neat...any larger photos? That one is a bit smallish.
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post #390 of 680
7/13/11 at 5:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by premiertrussman View Post

Neat...any larger photos? That one is a bit smallish.

Photos? I thought that was a postage stamp!
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