Dutch's HT Room

[DutchBoy]

Just now beginning to start work on my own HT Room/Living Room combo. Striving to make it something that looks "smart" in terms of its HT quality, and something that my wife will actually want to be in.

We live in a two bedroom apartment right now, and the living room area is kind of like a loft (the bedrooms are in the back of the apartment), so you kind of know what you are looking at.

Right now I'm starting pretty much from scratch. Torn down most of what I had up, and gotten it back to the point where's it's basically just a canvas, waiting to be painted on.

So over the next few weeks, I'll be posting pictures of things as they begin to go up, and hopefully by the time summer rolls around, my room will be ready.

Comments or suggestions as I go along will be much appreciated, while any unnecessary criticisms or bagging on it will be summarily ignored.

Remember, this is supposed to be fun for all of us. So enjoy, and be kind.

[Fors*]

Hey, how big is the room and where are you thinking of putting the TV? I don't think I have to tell you where not to put it........or are you definitely sold on getting heavy drapes to cover that big window?

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Hey, how big is the room and where are you thinking of putting the TV? I don't think I have to tell you where not to put it........or are you definitely sold on getting heavy drapes to cover that big window?

The window is definitely getting covered. The TV is probably going to stay where it is now. I've considered moving it, but really the only options are where it is now, or in front of the side window. Honestly, where it is now seems the better of the two option (at least to me) if only because of where the seating would have to be.

edit: Now I'm looking at the photos I'm not so sure. The window may definitely be a possibility. I've really never measured the room to be honest. The living area is not huge, though (as you can tell). Just never had a reason to until now.

Maybe I should drape the window (going to do anyways) and throw the TV slap in the middle of it. Couch to the side of the sitting area, recliners in the back... hmmmm....

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

The window is definitely getting covered. The TV is probably going to stay where it is now. I've considered moving it, but really the only options are where it is now, or in front of the side window. Honestly, where it is now seems the better of the two option (at least to me) if only because of where the seating would have to be.

Is the room rectangular or square, it looks to be rectangular and if so, then where the TV is now or the opposite wall(if even possible) would be the best thing. I also noticed you have a walkway on one side to a hallway (I think). Is there a door there or is it just open?

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Is the room rectangular or square, it looks to be rectangular and if so, then where the TV is now or the opposite wall(if even possible) would be the best thing. I also noticed you have a walkway on one side to a hallway (I think). Is there a door there or is it just open?

The living area is definitely rectangular. It's a square room, but only about half of it is for the living area. Anything beyond that and I start jutting into the area where the dining room/dining area is. The opposite wall would definitely not work since that's where the sliding doors are to go out onto the balcony. More problems with that than there are solutions -- just not worth figuring out.

It'll either have to be the wall it's on now, or the side wall where the window (which will be draped) is.

The door leading to the hall is open, though I've thought about draping/shutting that off somehow, as well.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

The living area is definitely rectangular. It's a square room, but only about half of it is for the living area. Anything beyond that and I start jutting into the area where the dining room/dining area is. The opposite wall would definitely not work since that's where the sliding doors are to go out onto the balcony. More problems with that than there are solutions -- just not worth figuring out.

It'll either have to be the wall it's on now, or the side wall where the window (which will be draped) is.

The door leading to the hall is open, though I've thought about draping/shutting that off somehow, as well.

Well, since we are on this subject, did you check out Beta Man's sticky under the Home Theater Construction - Seating/Lighting/Room Treatments. I'm sure you should get a ton of info on how to ready the room for your set-up. Your living room is like my basement, as I have mine in my rectangular basement where 1/2 is mine (with the steps on the side wall) and the back 1/2 is my daughters play area, with nothing to seperate it. Sucks for sound quality, but you gotta make do, right? At least lighting wasn't an issue.

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Well, since we are on this subject, did you check out Beta Man's sticky under the Home Theater Construction - Seating/Lighting/Room Treatments. I'm sure you should get a ton of info on how to ready the room for your set-up. Your living room is like my basement, as I have mine in my rectangular basement where 1/2 is mine (with the steps on the side wall) and the back 1/2 is my daughters play area, with nothing to seperate it. Sucks for sound quality, but you gotta make do, right? At least lighting wasn't an issue.

Yeah, I've looked at. I'm assimilating info from everywhere right now.

And you're exactly right about the similarities in the rooms, it would seem.

Good thing about it is (in a way) is that the room is such that I can't get all fancy with things, even if I want to. And anything that I try, if I don't like, is easily reversible.

The more I think about it, the more I sort of like the idea of the TV in front of the window with the seat backs up against the "dining area" -- gives the illusion of a "break" in the room between the one half and the other.

Two issues I'll have to figure out if I do it, though, are the cable hookup (currently in the wall I have TV against now) and rear speaker placement (though wiring won't be an issue). I may have to look at bookshelf speakers (and nothing else) if for no other reason than having a little end table on either side of the chairs back there won't look too shabby, and they'll fit perfectly on top of those.

[sinister184]

if you were set on using the wall the window, you could also look window tinting. my bro did that with his place. the Wall he had to use had a decent sized window in it so he had it tinted on top of putting light drapes. worked out very well.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

Yeah, I've looked at. I'm assimilating info from everywhere right now.

And you're exactly right about the similarities in the rooms, it would seem.

Good thing about it is (in a way) is that the room is such that I can't get all fancy with things, even if I want to. And anything that I try, if I don't like, is easily reversible.

The more I think about it, the more I sort of like the idea of the TV in front of the window with the seat backs up against the "dining area" -- gives the illusion of a "break" in the room between the one half and the other.

Two issues I'll have to figure out if I do it, though, are the cable hookup (currently in the wall I have TV against now) and rear speaker placement (though wiring won't be an issue). I may have to look at bookshelf speakers (and nothing else) if for no other reason than having a little end table on either side of the chairs back there won't look too shabby, and they'll fit perfectly on top of those.

That's what I did, using my primary seating position (sofa) as a break between my 1/2 and my daughters. I then have bookshelf surrounds on each side of the sofa. Luckily, i thought of running speaker wire before we had the basement finished and drywalled. Not so lucky was i wasn't into Home Theater then, so there is soooo much more I should have done to prepare. You being able to "play" with your room and set it up the way you like it from scratch, knowing what you like makes me want to redo my basement.....but let's not go there...

I personally like the idea of bookshelfs, especially if wiring is not an issue.

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

That's what I did, using my primary seating position (sofa) as a break between my 1/2 and my daughters. I then have bookshelf surrounds on each side of the sofa. Luckily, i thought of running speaker wire before we had the basement finished and drywalled. Not so lucky was i wasn't into Home Theater then, so there is soooo much more I should have done to prepare. You being able to "play" with your room and set it up the way you like it from scratch, knowing what you like makes me want to redo my basement.....but let's not go there...

I personally like the idea of bookshelfs, especially if wiring is not an issue.

Sorry for bringing the "bug" back into play.

The more I'm thinking about it, the more I'm liking it. And the idea of the bookshelfs back there will probably be a lot more to my wife's liking than 2 towers back there.

Now I just gotta figure out the cable "issue"...

[DutchBoy]

So it begins...

The first of my additions -- starting simple with some posters. After I get back from Vegas next week my wife and I will begin chair/rug/curtain shopping for the room, and I have several other posters and signs coming in over the next week or so.

Will post more shots when I have them.











My oldest son picked the E.T. poster, and my middle son picked The Wizard of Oz. Their two favoritest movies.

[Fors*]

Good luck in Vegas! We'll know you won some $$ when your first post back is about how your budget suddenly grew by the thousands!

[DutchBoy]

Update #2

Well, didn't win in Vegas (of course -- although I did enjoy myself immensely), so my budget has not grown by thousands. But, my state refund did finally get deposited today, so I was able to do a few more things this afternoon. Again, I'm sputtering along at this point, but little by little I'm beginning to see just a little bit of what I want the room to look like in what I'm doing.

I did go shopping for chairs/component stands/rugs et. al today, and got some prices on things so I kind of know what direction I am heading in now. I plan on ordering the first of my speakers early next week (front and centers) and looking at the rugs and some other cosmetic things for the room. Plan on doing the chairs last, since they cost more and it'll give me more time to keep my peepers open for deals (if there is such a thing).













Today, I added the 'BTTF' poster. I also added my TrueHD and DTS-HD MA signs above the TV (I have another custom sign coming with the HDTV and BD logos on it -- I also moved the ones I have now in closer together, but haven't snapped off a pic yet), and I made some changes to the stand the TV is on -- I took off the glass door and CD holders on the sides (looks much cleaner to me!) and when the speakers come I plan on breaking down the back of it (for more circulation). I figure if I have a decent piece like that, I need to try and make it work if I can.

And that's about all I did today. Slowly but surely...

[Fors*]

Keep up the good work....and continue to do your homework....and by the way, for furniture, have you considered Berklines? One of the best theater seating, if not thee best, you can find.

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

My oldest son picked the E.T. poster, and my middle son picked The Wizard. Their two favoritest movies.

Oh man. I thought you meant this "The Wizard."



I think I want that poster now...

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Keep up the good work....and continue to do your homework....and by the way, for furniture, have you considered Berklines? One of the best theater seating, if not thee best, you can find.

Thanks, and I will continue to do so. Considered...? Yes. Seriously considered...? Not yet. And the primary reason is cost. I am keeping my peepers open. I also have my eyes on a loveseat/recliner that's around $600. It's nice too; no drink caddy. Man, the things that are selling points on these things...

A huge part of this all is cost (of course!). Not sure if I said it earlier, but I'm doing several rooms at once: Living Room, Kitchen/Dining Area and Boys' Room. I already dropped a HUGE chunk of change this month on their room. I don't even want to run totals. If it was the only room I was concerned with, I'd be pushing for the best, but unfortunately I can't.

What we're ultimately looking at is having the 3 areas (Living Room, Dining Area, Kitchen) sort of blend in together in a Theater/Retro 50's diner fashion. Hard to explain, but the ideas both my wife and I have, have us both excited. And it's a rarity for us both to be excited about decorating at the same time.

There is definitely a huge balancing act going on, though. I'm going to have to go lighter in some areas to have the cash to do others, and so on. We'll see how it goes.

Originally Posted by Drew664

Oh man. I thought you meant this "The Wizard."



I think I want that poster now...

LOL! No -- figured the picture of 'The Wizard of Oz' poster would clarify that. I did update my post, though.

New pictures coming soon -- just more posters I've added, though.

Next month the real fun begins.

[DutchBoy]

Update #3

Just some minor additions this afternoon:



Added my wife's 'Grease' poster. I'm going to add 3 more posters going down the stairs to the foyer in a "step-down" pattern. The poster makes a nice little segway into the kitchen/dining area where we're going to put the retro items we get. You can see our ancient wooden table in the bottom right corner -- that's going away and being replaced with a red-topped "soda shoppe style" style and benches.



Nothing much here. Just moved my HT signs closer to one another.



Self-explanatory. The new seats I get will go where the red lounger is now.

More later this week, I hope.

[DutchBoy]

Couple of new pics coming later today (just of posters), but I just ordered my speakers as well from newegg.

Those should be here early next week. So next week my pics will include shots of my new CS2, and two new Monitor 60s from Polk.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

Couple of new pics coming later today (just of posters), but I just ordered my speakers as well from newegg.

Those should be here early next week. So next week my pics will include shots of my new CS2, and two new Monitor 60s from Polk.

You dog, you got one of those CS2's! What a great price, I can't believe they are back and for only that much! I like my CS10, and you paid less than I did. Anyway, I see you got the 60's, did you miss out on the T90's? Same speaker anyway, just a different look. I think you are really going to like your new front soundstage.....

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

You dog, you got one of those CS2's! What a great price, I can't believe they are back and for only that much! I like my CS10, and you paid less than I did. Anyway, I see you got the 60's, did you miss out on the T90's? Same speaker anyway, just a different look. I think you are really going to like your new front soundstage.....

Technically, I did miss out on the T90s. I got paid on Wednesday, and they were out of stock by then.

Good thing, though, is the 60s were only $150/each. The T90Es run $230. Saved 80 bucks a speaker.

Got the whole thing for $430 shipped (before taxes).

Maybe I should put that in the 'Hot Deals' forum -- how much do the 60s usually run?