After years of restoration and living in our bedroom we are at the breaking point. We need someplace to live like normal people. Sitting on a couch to watch tv and eating at a table have become a foreign luxury.
So, we have put all other projects on hold and are concentrating on finishing our family room. The goal is to have the project completed before Thanksgiving, which is just a little bit after our 4 year house anniversary. Don't know if we'll make it, but once its done I want to have a party to watch "the Money Pit" (which no longer seems like a comedy).A few months ago my student Stephen made and installed a new mantle to house and hide our new tv. We loved the mantle but felt that we needed to bump out the chimney wall above it to balance the overall look. This weekend we built out that wall and added a center speaker. Vents will be placed on the sides of the chimney wall to let the heat from the tv escape.
We also built covers to hide the ceiling speakers. We started with reproduction register grates from http://www.justhomedecor.com/ and then framed them. I painted the grates white and the ceiling and speakers behind black to further the illusion.
In designing the room my goal is to have all the modern conveniences and comforts but keep them aesthetically compatible with Victorian style. I feel I am doing pretty well so far, so I will give myself a much needed pat on the back.
