Hello Friends,
It’s finally here!
The Basement Media Room reveal is finally here, along with rooms from 200-plus bloggers participating in the Fall One Room Challenge.
Modern Traditional Media Room Reveal
When we left the basement during the Spring 2019 ORC reveal, the landing and bonus room were refinished and revealed.
Now, behind that big clock is a 33-feet long and 15-feet wide media room that is screaming to show-off its new digs.
Ready to have a look?
Basement Media Room (Dining/Office End)
Let’s start by standing in front of the buffet and look left.
Here’s the horrifying before photo.
And after a new ceiling, walls and floor, the wall unit known as Humpty, in all of its broken-down glory, was moved into place.
Humpty is a combination of a Hooker wall unit, scrap pieces of furniture, lots of electronics and a boatload of wiring that was “put together again” and painted terra cotta. That’s right, it’s a terra cotta Humpty.
And the tutorial to paint, glaze and wax the unit is linked at the bottom of this post.
After Humpty, a vintage Drexel dining set was refinished to use as a multi-functional dining/desk/game table.
And of course, the complete sanding and staining tutorial is linked at the bottom of this post. You are looking at a one-step stain and seal process.
Then, when all of the hard stuff is done, throw in a few accessories…..
…….and you have a dining/office/game space that houses the back end of the surround sound system, all of the media electronics and tons of office junk.
It’s a multi-functional room made in heaven.
Now, before we face front, here’s a view from about mid-point in the room.
Basement Media Room (TV End)
Now, standing at the same mid-point in the room, turn to face the opposite end.
And like magic, we go from this…
….to this….
….to this…..
….to this!
The Backstory
For months and months, I made plans to have a giant truck load of West Elm furniture delivered to this space. And just when I was about to pull the trigger on the order, the guys went all mutiny on me. They teamed up and pressed that they wanted full-on theater seating with a super-duper surround sound…..NOT a family room.
The Compromise
And so, we had to find a compromise. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen theater room seating, but it’s like bucket seats in rows. This would make the room for TV viewing only with absolutely no hope for use during a social event.
Huuuum. No and no.
I may have secretly shed some tears and suffered an epic level of hurt, but it was soooo important to let it go.
The compromise ended up including a slim-line La-Z-Boy sectional with a full-on surround system.
And it’s working out pretty good, if you can overlook a few awkward design elements….which I had to close my eyes and do.
Here’s a view while standing in front of the wall unit, about 30 feet back.
How to Hide Theater Seats In Plain Sight
Now, notice two things.
First, there are five speakers at the front of this room. Can you see them?
And second, check out the part of sectional that directly faces the TV. There are two seats, exactly 15 feet from the big screen. Yes, based on the size of the TV screen, they have to be 15 feet back.
So they sit 15 feet back, in between the mid-room speakers and in front of the hidden subwoofer.
Each of the guys has an electric recliner and there is a special mid-section between the two seats. The mid has two LED lit glass holders, charging ports and plenty of space to house mobile device cables and headsets. Close the blackout drapes and it looks like a full-on theater room to me. AmIrite?
At the rear of the room, two speakers rest on top of the wall unit and all of the TV electronics are hidden in the right tower. The tech guy (my number one son) hung the wiring for all ten speakers and suspended the two mid-speakers up in the rafters before the dry wall crew closed up the ceiling. Then all of the wires meet and drop down behind the right tower. They connect to the sound receiver and other electrical stuff through the back of the tower.
We realize that the midspeakers should be on the walls (left and right) at ear level, but this just wasn’t possible. So the system was made as functional as we could make it given this and a few other structural constraints. And it works great for general viewing (the news, ballgames), but when the guys watch a special movie, they wear high-powered, wireless headsets.
Yes, they do.
Can you believe it?
In the end, I’ll bet the farm that I’m the only ORC blogger who has used a projector TV as a chandelier and inserted the word “subwoofer” in her text.
LOL.
But it is what it is.
This mancave/theater/family room really does work for us.
So I’m all kinds of kudos for finding a workable compromise.
To wind up this little tour, just look past the clock on the coffee table towards the opening at the TV end of the room.
Look familiar?
This opening drops you right back in front of the infamous black door (bathroom makeover Fall 2018).
Then round the corner and…. hello…..we’re right back where we started.
And there ya have it. The long awaited basement media room is finally finished.
Oh Hallelu. 🙂
All of the DIYs and renovation info posts for the basement makeover are linked to this post.
To save the links for later, please PIN the image below.
In case you missed previous Fall 2019 ORC Posts
Week 1 – Media Room Makeover Plan
Week 2 – How to Buy and Install a Staircase Runner
Week 3 – How to Paint a Mini Wall Mural
Week 4 – How to Color Correct Furniture Without Repainting
Week 5 – How to Create Stacked Frames Art
Week 6 – You are Here
Spring 2019 ORC Reveal
Modern Traditional Basement Bonus Room Reveal
Fall 2018 ORC Reveal
Modern Traditional Bathroom Makeover
Sponsor
Many thanks to Fusion Mineral Paint (www.fusionmineralpaint.com) for supplying product for all of the furniture makeovers.
Buffet Makeover Using a Paint and Stain Combo
How to Seal Raw Wood or Unfinished Furniture in One-Step
Wall Unit Makeover Using Paint, Glaze and Wax
Dining Set Makeover Using a One-Step Stain and Seal
How to Create Stacked Frames Art
How to Color Correct Furniture Without Repainting
End Table Makeover in Natural Finishing Oil
Resources
If you see something you like, please contact me. I’m happy to supply links.
Our Hosts
And as always, we extend a special thanks to our gracious hosts, Linda at Calling It Home , One Room Challenge and Better Homes and Gardens. And invite you to enjoy over 200 more room renovations, click One Room Challenge. #oneroomchallenge #ORC #betterhomesandgardens #bhgorc
#homeimprovement #homedecor #fusionmineralpaint #mediaroom #mediaroommakeover #oneroomchallenge #orc #bhgorc
42 Comments
This is stunning! Congrats! You really did a phenomenal job.
Thanks a million, Justyne! Means so much coming from you!
Suzi this is beyond fantastic!!! It is beautiful!! Congratulations on a job well done and making your house a well lived in home!! You and your talents are a treasure for sure!!!
Thanks Nancy! You’re the best!! XO
what a difference! it looks so so good, and i love the black and wood going on!
Thanks so much, Cassie! We are lovin’ it.
My gosh!! This room is what media dream rooms are made of!!! I’m so floored with everything…. and I mean.. evvvvverything!! Absolute fantastic makeover
Thanks to the moon and back, Jamala. You give me courage to keep pushing the envelope to create a totally unique home. On to the next room, right?
Susie the media room turned out beautiful, I know you will getting a lot of use out of your newly designed space. I imagine a ton of game nights around that table this holiday season.
Thanks a million, Jen! Now on the the master closet….. or the office….or the laundry room. LOL…
What a fantastic room! I hope you spend many happy hours together enjoying it as a family!
Thanks so much, Angela! The hubs practically lives down there now. He really loves his mancave. LOL
Wow, it looks great, Susie! Your guys are very blessed! You did a remarkable job of making it look so beautiful and giving them what they wanted. I often have to change direction mid-course to appease Mister’s function concerns but I don’t think I handle as well as you did. You made it look easy.
Thanks so much! As far as making it look easy, God is good. He stepped in with new inspiration just when I needed it most.
Your room is FABULOUS!!! Projector tv as a chandelier, girl you crack me up!! Life is about compromise and I’m glad everyone is happy with how it turned out. Amazing!!!
LOL…thanks Susanne! Well….it is…a big eyesore hanging from the ceiling.. There’s nothing to do but laugh.
Susie, It’s all so fabulous. I love how cozy and warm you made your basement look. With so many different areas to hang out in, It would be hard to pick a favorite spot. I love how your room turned out. Amazing job!
Thanks a million, Shelly. You are so kind. XO
Susie – this is absolutely amazing! Your design solutions are super creative! You should be so proud of your accomplishments. Congratulations!
Thanks Vicki and Jenn! Well…when it comes to hiding the ugly, I do think I made a good showing….well….except for the chandelier TV hanging from the ceiling. LOL…
Susie, you did an amazing job on your basement renos! It’s all stunning with so many creative ideas and compromise solutions. Every nook and cranny is beautifully designed. I bet this room gets used a lot, it sure would in my house. Congratulations on a job so well done!
Thanks a bushel and a peck, Marie! We are using the space 24/7…and it looks lived in, too. LOL.
You did an amazing job on your basement, Susie! Now, you can sit and enjoy it! I also appreciate how you talked about compromise because I have to do that with my hubby and sometimes you have to design a room for function and fun…not for beautiful pictures!
Thanks a million, Mary! Well…I may have compromised in the basement, but I said to the guys…”I’m heading upstairs for the next ORC…and nobody better say a word.” LOL… so I need to keep working on that good ole’ cleansed heart.
Susie,
It’s just BEAUTIFUL! I’m offically inviting myself and the fam over for game night. It’s such an warm and inviting space. Congratulations. You deserve to kick back and enjoy!
Thanks so much, Libbie!! And just let me know so I can get the pizza ordered. XO
Susie! This is just beautiful! And that couch looks so comfy and inviting! I bet you are so glad to have this basement complete. I have loved following along on the past few ORCs. You are so talented and love this space so much!
Thanks so much, Jen. We are thrilled to finally have it done.
My goodness Susie this is EPIC! Ep. ic. Wow! I love every inch of this space. Great job girlfriend.
Thanks so much, Ola. You’re the best!
I love how you worked with furniture pieces you already had. The space looks amazing, great job!
Thanks Heidi. I loved the pieces and they were such good quality…I just couldn’t bear to let them go.
Wow!! So much work!! Great transformation! Must be so nice to have now!!
Thanks Suzannah! It is wonderful to finally have it all fresh and clean. We are lovin it.
I couldn’t wait for this reveal Susie. I think everything here is done so well and looks amazing. And I love how you integrated the cozy seating and projector into the design. Well done girl you nailed it!
Oh my goodness, Joannie! Thanks so much. You just made my day….my week….!!!! XO
LOVE it all. Captured so beautifully. Gorgeous transformation.
Oh my gosh! I just love how this turned out! You did a fabulous job! I bet you love watching movies down there!
This is beyond magnificent Suzy!!! I love everything you did and would swap a chandelier for that subwoofer any day! 😉 You’re style is amazing! XOXO
Oh Susie, this is such an incredible basement! I would hang out there all day! I bet everyone loves this space. Congratulations on another FANTASTIC ORC reveal. This space looks so complete! Xoxo, Tee
Suzy that is such a beautiful room with tons of style. And in the end everyone was happy that you were able to make things work out without sacrificing your design elements.
It looks amazing! There is so much work that went into creating this space! It really shows. Nice job!
Nancy