The Grey Area Theater...Progress Pics

[jasplat88]

Hello All,

I have posted some pics of my progress in multiple threads, but figured I would create a dedicated thread I can keep coming back to. We are trying to have the basement carpeted by mid October, so I have been pushed up about six months on my original completion date. In the last couple of weeks I have textured the HT walls, primed them and am finishing up painting now. I also installed most of the baseboards, but still have casing and doors to put in. Here are some of the more recent pics.

BTW the name of the color on the side and rear walls is called "Grey Area" so that will be the name I use until I think of something better.

-Jason

This first pic is of the rear (walkway) of the HT.

EDIT: I added these (below) and some other pics to my galley.

[jasplat88]

Here is a picture of the front wall. The black only required 2 coats to get good coverage (I used a grey primer). Notice no light reflects off the front wall :) Just as planned

[jasplat88]

Here's another view of the front but slightly looking up so you can see the ceiling color (Dark Ash).

[jasplat88]

Here's a shot looking towards the rear of the HT. Baseboards color is NOT white even though it looks white(ish). The color is called "Winter Storm" and is a flat paint.

All the paint and primer I used was Sherwin Williams.

I'll update with more as I make progress.

-Jason

[V.X.Donique]

Looking good Jason, keep up the good work.

[greighn]

Jason,

I like the gray as I also used that in my theater. the gray I used was called pewter from Lowes. I think you will like the combination of gray and black when done.

-Gary.

[jasplat88]

Thanks Vashon & Gary.

Gary....I love "The Bridge" --- you did a fantastic job on that!!! I will be using a deep purple GOM (Aubergine) as my accent color on the walls (the color is in the carpet too). I installed the trim kits into the light housings last night.....makes a big difference!

Slightly OT, I noticed you are in Exton....only about an hour away from me (Doylestown)...how did you make out with all the rain last night? I stayed dry, but the sump got a workout! I wonder how many basement theaters have backup systems (beyond a backup pump) to ensure their HT does not flood. I am thinking about investing in a generator in the spring.

-Jason

[Big Worms]

Very nice so far! I also like the pewter gray with the black!

[skeets]

jasplat,
looking good my man. keep going. my theater is at about the same pace as
yours. I am doing an intricate moulding job so will take me a little longer.
Hey how about a race to the finish line:)

[jasplat88]

Skeets,

My wife would LOVE for me to race you to the finish line...well actually I don't think she cares so much about the HT as she does the "play room" on the other side of the basement. It turns out---as I've tried to explain to her....that everything costs money (I know---go figure!!!). It also turns out that we are out of it (yes that means nothing under the mattress) :)

I did promise her to have carpet done by mid October so that is why I am putting in double time now. I still have spackling, texturing (ceiling), priming and baseboards to do on her side of the basement all in about the next two weeks (and oh yeah, I am taking a week off for a golfing trip to TX next week). So I am feeling just a little pressure.

How is your HT coming? Have any pics to share? When is your estimated completion date? The race is on :)

-Jason

[hometheaterguy]

I like burgundy as it is a little darker for canceling light reflections, but the room looks good.

[jasplat88]

Here are a couple of additional shots with the highhat trims installed.

[jasplat88]

and here are the lights in the rear of the HT.

[CptnRandy]

Looking good!

Remember, to keep your progress moving forward, don't install the projector until the last possible moment. :D

Randy

[jasplat88]

Thanks Randy.....installing the projector should not be a problem as I

1) don't have the budget for it yet (probably more around March) and
2) am excited about some of the upcoming releases (in particular the new Sharp XV-Z2000, but will also demo the new Sony HS51 and maybe even the Pan AE700).

-Jason

[jasplat88]

Ok everyone....I have made a little progress, but have some choices to make and would like to hear some opinions. I am going to be installing my GOM in a "racing strip" fashion, but my side walls don't exactly mirror each other. On one side, I have my main breaker box which I will be building a door to cover. However it impedes my racing strip from reaching the front wall (see first picture below). I think I am fine with just starting the strip the edge of where that door will go which is what is shown in the picture. On the opposite wall I have the main light switches (will be a grafik eye) that falls in the line of the strip (but only half of the GE would fall in the line).

So my questions:

1) Do I stop the racing strip before the light location (see the second picture below) and make both walls stop in the same location or do I fur out around the light switch?

2) Do I start BOTH walls where I am limited to on the one wall because of the circuit (so they are symetrical) or do I take the one wall (without the breaker box) all the way to the front wall?

-Jason

[jasplat88]

Here is the picture to question 1) above....see the green tape as the line for the furring strips.

[jasplat88]

Any opinions??? ^^^(On previous two posts)

[dwightrahl]

Just my opinion, of course - I'd stop just short of the light switches, and go for symmetry on both walls if you can. To make the "stopping short" of the racing stripe look intentional, you might consider using an angled end for your racing stripe rather than making the end vertical (think of the accent color on the side of a '57 chevy...).

In any event, what you've done thus far looks great!

Good luck,

Dwight

[fox in socks]

I really like the name "Grey Area". I say stick with it.

I'm rather envious of all of you who have the extra space available to dedicate to personal cinemas. Some of the photos on this site are incredible.

[jasplat88]

Thanks Dwight...great idea about the furring strips....I think I might try that.

Fox...thanks....I still have not thought of another better name so for now at least it is staying.

Here's another question....does anyone have any suggestions for hiding the edge around my equipment rack? I will case out the front, but if I don't cover the side's it will show (plus I want to recess my equipment rack back about 3/4" to prevent any component knobs from protruding). See picture below for an idea of what I am talking about.

My thought is to maybe use some flashing and bend a 90 degree bend in it and paint it black. Any other suggestions or ideas?

-Jason

[jasplat88]

I never got any input from others about trimming out around my equipment rack, but I went ahead and had a local fabricator custom make me some "flashing" type of strips which I have since painted and installed. This is a picture of them before painting.

[jasplat88]

I then installed them to hide the unfinished corners around my equipment rack.

[jasplat88]

Finally I added the casing....

[jasplat88]

And lastly here is a close up so you can see what it will ultimately look like (minus the equipment in the equipment rack). I am very pleased with the way it turned out and it only cost $17 to have them made. Just thought I would keep those interested posted of my progress.

-Jason

[jasplat88]

I ran into a minor problem (well more annoying than anything) when I went to install my HT door.....it turns out the walls really should be square :) I have a list of excuses of why that one wall is not, but I will just stick with I am a DIY'er and not a carpenter, but here is what I ended up doing to "fix the glitch." I installed a additional trim piece around the casing to "hide" the 1/2" the door is off from top to bottom (see pic for a better idea).

I was just wondering if any other DIY'ers ran into (or will admit) to a similar issue and what they did to fix it. BTW if I would have just installed the door per the opening, it would not close correctly and would not have stayed if left in a semi-open position (that's how I figured something was wrong).

-Jason

P.S. If you look real closely at the pic you will see the casing riding along the additional trim piece (it is almost flush with it a the bottom and gets further off as you go up).

[jasplat88]

Ok, I got my carpet installed today and am quite happy with it. I will post several pics and then add some more to my gallery.

[jasplat88]

The entry (rear) of my HT.

[jasplat88]

From the front looking back.

[jasplat88]

A close-up of the carpet----this is the best pic to see the true color of the carpet.

[jasplat88]

View of the front.

(The above four posts are all new carpet pics.)

[greighn]

Jason,

The carpet looks fantastic! Love the gray walls and the lights on the risers.

You must be getting real anxious now to watch a flick. I know I would be!!

Keep it going.

-Gary.

[Cambor]

Jason - Looking good...it is all well worth the effort. I just finished mine and I went with Military Gray from HD which worked really well with the black carpet and ceiling (attached)

Keep us posted as the journey is sometimes better than the result :-)....but in a HT project it is the first movie makes the whole experience priceless

[jasplat88]

Cambor,

Thanks, and your theater looks fantastic. My project has actually been pretty slow since I spent a lot of time finishing the *other* part of the basement which is now a playroom for my son, and a snack area outside the HT where the popcorn machine will eventually go. Here's a couple of shots of the playroom.

-Jason

[jasplat88]

And another...

[jasplat88]

And one more (the HT entrance is in the rear of this pic). The snack area (as we are calling it) starts where the ceiling drops down.

P.S. Yes I know the love seat looks like it should have stayed back in the 70's, but we will be recovering it. I think it still has another good 5-10 years in it :)

[eq_shadimar]

Nice pictures! Keep them coming...it helps all of us who have not even started yet!

Laters,
Jeff

[jasplat88]

OK, it's been about 4 months so I thought I should provide a picture update. Here is a list of things I think are new during the past four months:

1) Projector (H77)
2) Carada 100" Brilliant White Screen
3) Center (Def CLR 2000) and Inwall rears (Def UIW BP/A)
4) Two DIY front bass traps
5) Five wall sconces (still need to paint them black & recover the shades)
6) Black out curtain for window
7) DVD shelves (still need to be painted)
8) Slim 5 --- added shelves and more blanks--still waiting on more
9) Temporary front chairs (Urban Outfitters $31/ea) until the Berk's come

I think that is about it as of right now. Just thought I would post this since it had been awhile. I will probably wait until I finish until I provide another update.

I will try to attach the pics in order of how I numbered them above.

Here's #1!

[jasplat88]

Here's #2 (Screen)

[jasplat88]

The front CLR 2000 can be seen in the last pic, here's a shot of the rears (the white on the wall is some touch up I am doing). Also, these will be painted the same color as the wall.

#3

[jasplat88]

These were posted in the DIY Bass trap thread, but incase you missed it...here's the finished product.

#4

[jasplat88]

Here's #5 & 6 together.

[jasplat88]

#7 (DVD Shelves -- still need to be painted)

[jasplat88]

#8 (Slim 5.....Still an expensive work in progress).

[jasplat88]

Ok, #9 was shown in several of the pictures so I won't include another pic of them. If you are just starting on this page....you need to go back to PAGE 2 the third post from the bottom to see the latest updates and pics I have made to my HT. Enjoy!

-Jason

[Scott Tucker]

Looking good. I would consider painting the side walls black from the front wall back to where the racing stripes start. That will help to hide the electrical box too.

Scott

[kingdome1964]

hello guys.
I am just starting my theater and I am working on my lighting plans.
I was wondering (Jason) where did you get the lights for your risers?
they look great!
and what about rope lighting, do you wire it just like regular lighting?
what is the purpose of the sand in the stage?
is the sand only useful if you are setting your speakers on the stage?


Thanks for any info you could give.

[jasplat88]

Originally posted by kingdome1964
hello guys.
I am just starting my theater and I am working on my lighting plans.
I was wondering (Jason) where did you get the lights for your risers?
they look great!
and what about rope lighting, do you wire it just like regular lighting?
what is the purpose of the sand in the stage?
is the sand only useful if you are setting your speakers on the stage?


Thanks for any info you could give.

The step lights are made by Progressive part #P6803-31 and I think were about $42/each. They take regular (up to 25 watt) tube shaped bulb (like your refrig light). I purchased them locally, but they were a special order item and it took about 2 months to get them....I think they switched manufacturers for the casings during that time. Rope lighting can be hard wired, and that is what many people have done on here (especially when you see them used in a cove type situation). However, you can also just use the plug on the rope lighting and plug them into a standard recepticle too. The sand helps minimize the resonating from the bass from the speakers located on top of the stage. Yes, if your speakers are not on the stage, it would not be as important. You can also stuff it with insulation. Hope that helps!

-Jason

[JamesG]

Jason, if I remember correctly, you have a steel column in your theater that you were going to cover with Pole-Wrap or something similar. I didn't see the column in your recent pictures. Do you have pictures that show it?

I have a similar situation in my basement and I'd like to see what others have done.

James

[jasplat88]

James,

You are correct...I do. However, it has been low on my priority list and I have still not purchased it. As you probably know from the sound of it, this (http://www.polewrap.com/) is the product I am going to use. I will probably be purchasing it in the next month. I just finished these shelves, and will be adding puck lights to the bottom of the counter and first (lowest) shelf tonight. I also built the access door to the cover the circut breaker box this weekend and will be also installing that this week. As soon as I get those done, I will probably be ready for the pole wrap. I will post more pictures as I complete these projects so you (or anyone else interested) can see them.

-Jason

Attached is a pic of the shelves now painted.

[jasplat88]

I am also working on cleaning up the mess of wires I had in my equipment room. Here is a start. I still want to make it much cleaner looking.

[Jayken]

Nice job Jasplat, I just got done drywall/GG/drywall and 1 coat of Spackle. My basement is pretty dry despite lot of rain here in Allentown. I will seal the floor with the paint sealer from HD before I start the riser and the stage. Also get the ceiling painted this weekend.
regards

[FusionRx]

Hi Jason,

I like the chairs in your pictures above.

Is that the new Berkline folding chair model?? :D

[Scott Tucker]

Originally posted by jasplat88
I am also working on cleaning up the mess of wires I had in my equipment room. Here is a start. I still want to make it much cleaner looking.

Maybe you can clean this up.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/7127/newhousepics1011df.jpg

Scott

[jasplat88]

Scott,

Actually, that's about what I was dealing with. I just spread them out into two seperate sides in my equipment room. Also, I liked your idea about painting the front part of the side walls black, and am considering it. Thanks!

-Jason

[jasplat88]

Originally posted by JamesG
Jason, if I remember correctly, you have a steel column in your theater that you were going to cover with Pole-Wrap or something similar. I didn't see the column in your recent pictures. Do you have pictures that show it?

I have a similar situation in my basement and I'd like to see what others have done.

James

James,

Here you go, I had a chance to purchase the Pole Wrap (btw it can be bought at HD ---$44 for the wrap $39 for the base and crown). I painted it the same color as the ceiling (which is slightly darker than the walls) for a little bit of contrast. I like the way it turned out, and it was very easy to install and work with. I would recommend it to others!

-Jason

Here's the before picture first (pole on left hand side)....

[jasplat88]

And here it is with the Pole Wrap with the optional crown and base.

[mbishop]

Originally posted by jasplat88
And here it is with the Pole Wrap with the optional crown and base.

I first read that as clown and base, and wondered why you would do that to such a nice project. :)

Your theatre looks great, by the way.

[jasplat88]

Since my Berklines 086's came in this week, the theater looks much more complete. Here are a few pictures of my theater now. Enjoy!

-Jason

[jasplat88]

In addition to the above pics, here are a few more so you can see more of the room.

-Jason

[bpape]

Lookin good. Hope you're enjoying it after all that work you put in. It's a nice clean look.

[jasplat88]

[QUOTE=bpape]Lookin good. Hope you're enjoying it after all that work you put in. It's a nice clean look.[/QUOTE]

Thank you....I am loving it! I just installed the bass shakers into the front two seats today....so it's movie night tonight (like I needed an excuse)!

[kriscad]

[QUOTE=jasplat88]I never got any input from others about trimming out around my equipment rack, but I went ahead and had a local fabricator custom make me some "flashing" type of strips which I have since painted and installed. This is a picture of them before painting.[/QUOTE]



im looking at building a equipment rack just like yours... any suggestions before I begin?


great job by the way on your ht room!

[jasplat88]

[QUOTE=kriscad]im looking at building a equipment rack just like yours... any suggestions before I begin?


great job by the way on your ht room![/QUOTE]

I used a Slim5 37 space rack, but only went 20" deep. I would go 24" deep if I had it to do over again. As for the front, the custom flashing I had worked great and I think made it easy to trim out. If you don't do that, I would recommmend painting the supporting boards black so they blend in better with the rack. I like the casing around the outside as well....I think it finishes it out well. Good luck.

-Jason