Frogtown Hollow Theater Build

I've finally begun building Frogtown Hollow Theatre.  After two years of using the basement as a mixed-use room, with toys everywhere, and horrid white walls, I recently started the build.  I'll try to keep this post updated with the latest pictures.  Here it is with new a new floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Thread:

I'm beginning to build my basement home theater. I've decided to call it Frogtown Hollow after the Muppet movie "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas", one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. Two reasons for this. One, it's in a basement, hence "Hollow". Two, I used to raise poisonous dart frogs in it. I'm currently on hiatus with the frogs, but I'm hoping to get back to them in the near future.

I have an Optoma HD66, LG LHB336 blu-ray HTIB, an Acer Revo 1600 HTPC using XBMC, various NAS storage devices, and a Logitech Harmony 650. Currently, I have it loosely installed and working but am about to begin remodeling the basement into a theater. I'll post the "before" pics soon.

For now, I'm still researching out wall colors, the best method to hide wiring (I can't convince my wife to let me dig into walls... yet), and lighting. I just wanted to introduce myself and setup the thread for now.

I'm also looking around for inspiration for a "Frogtown Hollow" logo.

Edited by xm41907 - 1/6/13 at 6:04pm

Wow, I started this thread close to a year and a half ago. I'm finally starting to build the dedicated theater. We've been using it as a simple setup with the mounted projector pointed at a bare wall, with black tape as a frame. A water heater leak was the catalyst to begin the project. First up, I ripped out the old moldy carpet to a perfectly sound bare concrete floor. I was originally planning to do a stained concrete look to it, but came across brown paper flooring and opted to give it a try. At less than $0.40 per square foot, I think it turned out AWESOME. Here are some pics of the process:


The bare room. That was our "screen" for close to two years.


The soffit and column, where I'll be sectioning off the theater.


Crumple up irregular pieces of builders paper, soak them in a 3:1 ratio of water to Elmers Glue for a minute, then lay them down.


Detail of the wet paper laid down.


The dried paper floor.


First coat of wood stain. I was worried this was not going to turn out well.


Second coat of wood stain (only 3 hours later). I buffed it in with soaked and dry rags to get this effect. One interesting finding. Fresh wood stain will immediately dissolve partially dried stain. I did some splatters to give it a marbled look.


The final floor after 6 coats of polyurethane.


Up close detail of the floor. I love it!


Another up close to show how varied the pattern got.


Next up, removing the drywall from the soffit and column, then building the framework for the wall and doorway.

Yesterday I finished demolishing the soffit and column dry wall. I've now got the ceiling exposed and have been considering adding in recessed lighting. I have a switched hallway light that I can tap into, but then the lights would be controlled from outside the theater. I think I can tap into another circuit close by and put a switch in the new wall. First, I need to decide if it's worth the cost. I need to price out the supplies. Does this sound about right, or am I missing anything.

enough electrical wiring for the job
9 canister light (3 rows of 3 lights)
dimmer switch and housing.

I'm also thinking this would give me the opportunity to add an outlet on the ceiling near the projector, so I don't have to fish the power cord down the wall. I'd need to find a second line to tap into though.

I've been working on framing out the new wall. I purchased a 36" wide pre-hung door, and will frame to fit it. Unfortunately, the soffit hangs two inches too low to make it an easy install. I'm going to have to retrofit part of the soffit for the doorway. Good thing I'm wanting the door to swing outward. Here's where I've gotten so far.







It's difficult to tell, but I framed out a built in rack. There will be two identical built in shelves, one for the rack (with built in electrical outlet at the bottom., the other for movie memorabilia. Once everything is framed out, I'm going to install recessed lights. Three in the front, two on each side, and three in the back. More to come once I finish all the framing.

Yes, it's made up of paper. I found quite a few tutorials online for it. Google "brown paper flooring". So far, it's been awesome. I've gotten a few scuffs from the construction, but from what I've read, a little bit of stain and polyurethane and they won't be noticed. I only put down six coats of poly, some people I've read put down up to twelve coats. If you really want it durable, you could do a clear epoxy. I can't say much for durability yet, since I haven't had it that long. I put down a layer of primer first. I'm hoping that will hold up. If not, it's easy to remove and start over. If I were to do it over again, I'd use something like drylock instead of regular primer.