Hello all,

Heading into a renovation in the coming
weeks with and overall goal of turning
the old dumping ground in the basement
to a useful Family Hangout!

While offering an open concept look at first
glance I will be using a heavy curtain system
as a wall to further darken & Section off the
Home Theater area when in full use.

When the movie is not on then the curtains
will be tied off to the sides and the room will
be open and the kids won't feel jammed into
their space which will include its own LCD for
Wii and movies when the adults are not around.
Our kids are 4 & 6(almost 7)

My wife and I love HD programming along with
Movies and of course Concert DVD's....and often
have "movie nights" with the kids already with
our current main floor set up.

I have some before photos already and I will
add a complete layout with ideas to the thread
here also so progress can be seen. Please offer
any feedback.
http://picasaweb.google.com/concertaholics/BasementRenovationBefore#

The main areas that I am looking for ideas with currently are:

1. colour combinations? Darker in Home Room...
but maybe a shade lighter in the kids area - or one?
Ceiling real dark but walls lighter?

2. Curtains - This is to divide a room. material,
type, weight, electric systems with trigger.?

3. fibre optic Lighting kit. No my budget
is not in the sky - but if someone knows a way
to get this effect without going too nuts I would
consider it.

4. Sectional Couch - I want a monster -
horseshoe shape maybe, cushions, soft, big ottoman -
I want to be able to put 6-8 people on this thing...
any places in Toronto area people know about to
check this out. I found one place in markham that
will custom make anything.

5. Fixed Screen DIY - I have a friend who has offered
me a 120 inch pull down screen. My plan is if this is in
good shape to resize, cut and make a 106 fixed. I have seen
a few How-To's online any links & places in Toronto to pick
up the black felt, velvet etc to go on the frame would be great.

The next post
I will update the actual layout for the basement -
mainly the Home Theater.
Then list out equipment
and ideas for the system.

Thanks for reading.

theconcertaholic

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SSN_VI1s_pI/AAAAAAAAAJE/UyHsBjNONrI/s640/scan0068.jpg

Ok well this is very very rough drawing of my main idea for moving forward.
i was goign to take 6 hours and try and do something on Google-Sketchup
but this was quicker.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SSN_VI1s_pI/AAAAAAAAAJE/UyHsBjNONrI/s640/scan0068.jpg

what are the dimensions of the room.

Is that a couch u have in the HT section?

Is any of it finished right now?

Are u considering any sound isolation? My HT/Media/Games room, sound insulation is high on my priority list. I spent about $3K total on sound isolation strategies.

Having kids - now 3 & 5, sound isolation is high on my list... . Watching movies late at night.... having somewhere to go when they start music lessons...

P

The room is untouched Petee - Framing to start this weekend

Based on what I have read - I am not sure about dropping $2000-$3000 on sound proofing when the sound may creep up the duct system anyways

Ceiling will be dropped a tad Brazilian Channel with ROXUL insulation all around the exterior walls - curtain on one side..

Here is a question... with the fireplace in that room and currently only one air vent - should I refrain from putting another in there and put an extra by the kids area?

Its all open during the day anyway?

During movie time with a blanket and fire on - it maybe ok instead of opening up another channel to the master bedroom directly above 2 floors up ?

What about this automotive stuff I've read about for wrapping the vents/ducts?

thanks

Jeff

my room is approx. 18x25', and I didn't connect it to the house's HVAC.

If air becomes a problem, I will probably do an air exchange with the rest of the basement... (approx. 800-1000 sq ft), using baffle boxes to muffle sound.

I'm waiting for a door to come in (31.25" wide - max that I can fit in some bum pre-existing framing), and I will be finally able to try out the soundproofing efforts after some weatherstripping.....

OK...The Home Theater room measures about
12 feet wide by 19 feet long.

I'm sure your room will turn out awesome! Good luck with the development!

Thanks... things are moving along.
Turbo crew is heading into drywall
as I write along with other framing,
electrical, and everything else under the sun.

I am trying to find a sectional couch
that will fit exactly into my area at back,
thinking about colors still, vanity, curtain
to divide room - AV area look -
I love Pokerchips set-up..from this forum.

Speakers (NXG pro inwalls, Receiver on order
Onkyo 606... screen soon too. 12inch THX sub
by Crystal Acoustics is coming down from
existing system. Berhinger Amp and 2 ibeams
also coming down from upstairs setup. Belkin
Power conditioner in hand already and Harmony One..
with IR Kit/eye to go into front left speaker grill.

I have updated the photos with some minor details
http://picasaweb.google.com/concertaholics/BasementRenovationBefore#


The concertaholic

your writeup kinda reminds me of my setup im builindg and almost done..

Oh ya... and taping is done once... looks like sanding on the weekend.... wer're painting next week. Got some ideas on colours and curtain fabric too!

AV area turned out nice with 39inches wide and 24 inches deep - Most equipment is in except the kids LCD - may wait for sales - Going to order couch next.

http://picasaweb.google.com/concertaholics/BasementRenovationBefore#

Looks great! I will be undertaking a similar project sometime in '09 to build a pseudo-HT, home office and kids playroom in my currently unfinished basement.

Thanks for looking!

Couch Ordered - chaise lounge on each side to form a "U"
Picture this baby with the chaise on both sides !!! For under 2k
http://www.realtimefurniture.ca/tony-leather-sectional-pi-351.html?invis=1
I opted out of Leather and into Microfibre - been to leather town, done that
Fabric is $100 less than leather is all - they will customize anything and have it delivered in GTA in 2 weeks !!!


Black Faux Suede Curtains ordered to separate HT & Kids area when needed

Taping part 2 tomorrow

Prime on weekend

My brother booked to build me a MDF Custom shelving solution for my AV Area.

Picked up the Maestro Dimmers by Lutron
for full programming onto my Harmony One.

Heat resistant painted all my pot-light covers
to black so they blend in a little better to the
dark plum/purple going on ceiling. Made a mess
during this tonight as the top broke on the paint
can and I still muscled thru it as the guys are back
in the morning to finish priming etc....

This is facing to back of HT where "U" shaped couch will
sit, wires up top, pots/wires dangling, sconces to the left
and realized I didn't put an outlet down below where couch is
for Remote charger. the wires low centre are for the
2 ibeams being installed into the couch.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/STsjLW2VLEI/AAAAAAAAAY0/UnCaqkNCjCw/s400/P1020277.JPG


Picked up a Bar Fridge today in Black for $118 new.
to sit below AV RACK. Still not 100% on design on
shelves for this area. My Brother will be doing what
ever I request here. Should I leave 2 inches at the
back for wiring up and down? or just a pocket in the
centre or corner?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/STsjHWQYPbI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ZwYcT2mxd0c/s400/P1020263.JPG

More pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/concertaholics/BasementRenovationBefore#

theconcertaholic

The basement's looking great! Good work with the photo documentation, too. :)

Painting is in full force, I ordered some sconces from Home Depot online to be shipped in a few days, HDef grey screen being picked up today.

Here is a few photos. They do no justice to the colours.

I choose a dark Plum for the screen wall ceiling and back wall with a TAUPE on the side wall and bulkheads. I will say that the rest of my house is "safe" warm browns and creams - there is not alot of colour. So to step outside the sandbox here play with some different colours has been fun so far. I like them more then I thought I would. The plum really goes dark (almost black) when the current lighting is low... and when the lights up the plum (purlple) is fun to be around.

The Curtain that splits the room from the kids room will be black. So black accents will be the velvet frame around screen, the Sconce Lighting 4 on one wall and 1 on the post, black rims around the pot lights in ceiling, 1 black pillow coming with couch and 2 red pillows to join in the back wall red you see in the Alcove Area above where the Fireplace incert will go.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/STyo_JZucWI/AAAAAAAAAc4/hCYoRHY9hpQ/s400/DSC_1376.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/ST7VcXm5ASI/AAAAAAAAAeg/PHGCrtlSMNI/s288/Sconce%201.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/ST7Vc9HupHI/AAAAAAAAAeo/VpDy3JniApQ/s288/sconce2.jpg

More done, more to do and into the final week... rug, Bell Receiver to come, Shelving AV Unit going in to be painted and complete Installation of everything next friday.... now if that sectional couch could just arrive by Thursday... that would be right on.

AV Area -
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SUSSE_EeVKI/AAAAAAAAAig/ItzbVrBSOJ0/s400/DSC_1415.JPG

Facing back where the projector will sit. I went off the deepend and painted all my pot light covers plum/purlple so all you can see is light beaming down from the ceiling. Looks excellent... did the same for the vents and even the power-surge outlight for the projector. Planning on the Epson 720 and given my colours I am dissapointed that it will be a White beam compared to everything else. Or should I be happy to show it off? If they had a black I would pay more.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SUSSGmKjsMI/AAAAAAAAAjA/HTKC2WSwN0s/s400/DSC_1426.JPG

Big Day today!
My Brother worked 14 Hours on finishing this Custom AV Unit / Bar Fridge Area
All MDF. The top 3 shelves are doubled up for the equipment. Shelves are 40 inches wide 24 Deep with a 1 inch gap at the back. He built the area on bottom left custom for a bar fridge already purchased and on the right 3 more shelves with a door. Now I have to prime and paint this.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SUYB8hTD3kI/AAAAAAAAAmA/ZXVLeAxHeDc/s400/DSC_1499.JPG

Even I jumped into the job which I don't mind except I am much better in the Digital World than I am with wood etc.. but I managed to cut a hole for the Fireplace and build some small support shelves for it to sit on behind the wall.
Looks very nice and ya my brother had to assist a little with the leveling

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SUYB7cpw5nI/AAAAAAAAAlo/TfnUXRou53Q/s400/DSC_1494.JPG

Carpet in two days, Sconces on the way, Sectional soon I hope....Me paint AV Unit and the boys are here Friday with all the equipment...

Here a couple more shots... not bad considering the date I started this thread?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SUYB8Pz1lqI/AAAAAAAAAl4/uDsn_IHIVUA/s400/DSC_1497.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Dnd4yNmfNH8/SUYB4N_A9bI/AAAAAAAAAkY/mHMut3Yki7c/s400/DSC_1481.JPG

1 thing I thought of after the fact. I set all my lights in the HT Room to have their own switch based on type ? Pots on one switch, Sconces on another and single pot in alcove. DO OVER would have been front of room near screen on one switch and the back of the room above sectional on another switch. Still Learning.

looks good. I am fairly happy with my 720. Great projector for the price. I figure on using it for a couple years, and then seeing what's done the pipeline....

That's a lot of progress in a month. Did u hire the framing/drywall work out?

P

GREAT JOB, man! Looks fantastic. You are really going to enjoy your room. Every time I sit in my HT, I keep reminding myself how great it is to have it. Keep it up!

Guys..... I hired one guy who did 80% of everything with another worker.... he managed the other 15% with Plumbers, Electrical, Painter etc... I'm dealing with the other 5%.... Carpets, bought extra lighting and bathroom stuff... and my brother did the built in Unit.

I wouldn't have had this happen any other way. 3-6 or 12+ months was never an option... this is the only way to fly. And I didn't really pay any premium either. Get em in, hand over small brick of cash. Get work Done! Hand over other brick and then enjoy.

Thanks for viewing !