Basement finally done 1 1/2 years later....

[JonT]

My mancave completed--added 1100 sq feet finished space. Dad helped with framing, I did all the electrical (didn't know what a 20 amp breaker was when I started). Paid plumber to rough in the shower, toilet, and 2 sinks and also paid for drywall hang/finish--130 4x8 sheets. I did all the tile work, paint, woodwork (unfinished oak stained ebony), hung cabinets and all lighting.

Big screen is 110" diagonal--amazing with sports and movies! I can't express the relief I feel having it done. I get my weekends and checkbook back. Checkout the before/afters!

[old man neri]

Dear God is that ever nice.

[ikarcuaso]

Awesome job. Huge props. Some day, our basement will grow up to be half as nice.

[jim72911t]

Just great.
Your basement has more sq. feet than my entire house. Plus, it is nicer.

Looks amazing. Enjoy.

[HardDrive]

Great job man. Looks awesome.

[rnln]

oh my god. You got skill. It's is as nice as a... hotel. 1 1/2 year full time or night and weekends? This is amazing.

[Zef]

Hoooly nice place.....Awesome.

[imcarthur]

Very nice work.

Martin Logan speakers? I see you had to use a strange angle on your projector to get it to fit the screen. Do you have the vertical offset cranked to max?

Ian

[VINMAN]

Incredible job Jon! Beautiful work.

Cant let my wife see this thread, my basements been a two yr project, not even close to finishing. Then again I'm a contractor. Last thing I want to do is come home and work on my own house.

[slow&rusty]

Absolutely stunning! Pat yourself on the back! I am very impressed, I love threads like this, very inspiring especially when you say you did not what a 20amp breaker was 18months ago!

I hope you enjoy many a great evening in your basement!

Yasin

[Jim Richards]

Great job, Jon! So, when's the ball game start? What should we bring over to eat? Is the kegerator ready for action?

[JonT]

Thanks for the kind comments. This took 1 1/2 years of mostly weekend work for me (aside from the framing). My dad was a huge help with the framing--he did probably 70% of it working several hours per day--he's retired. The soffits were a huge pain. They probably took just as long as the outer walls. I took pictures at each stage of the completion so its a neat record of how it all went in. I had to paint the entire basement walls 6 times (!) Primer, base coat, then 4 coats of this $40/gallon glaze that needs a special roller (I found this out after 2 coats that showed every roller line). My wife picked out the paint at Lowes and they didnt tell her about the "special" roller. Thanks idiot. Electrical is not difficult just very time consuming with all the planning (most important), pulling romex, and attaching everything. Most of the lights are on dimmers--highly recommended. Tilework with 18" tiles wore me out--not sure I'd to that again but they look fantastic. I had to adapt the projector to work on the 8 ft ceiling so thats why its at such an extreme angle so yes the vertical offset is maxed out. Picture is wonderful with a good HD movie or tv signal. Sports, movies and PS3 are UNBELIEVABLE to watch. Speakers are Magnepan--and they sound amazing. My wife and I love to entertain and now we finally have a place to do it. I really wish I could say I was done but I'm afraid the kitchen is next....

[Carrman]

Holy cow, is that sweet!

I was not expecting that at ALL when I clicked on this thread. I was thinking some wood paneling, florescent beer signs and a popcorn machine (well, you have the popcorn machine!).

Really incredible.

[JavaBrewer]

Incredible job Jon.

[sammyg2]

When I was young we had a basement in Utah. My father finished it off but hated that it didn't have windows except for the little ones along the ceiling.

He bought some square mirrors and some molding and made windows where there were none. Imagine a frame, casement, etc with mirrors instead of glass, and there you have it. Some thin style drapery to diffuse the fact that they are mirrors instead of clear glass and you have the illusion of being above ground instead of below it.
Wish i had pictures but that was 40 years ago.

[sammyg2]

Just did a quick search and found this, pretty cool:



The technique is called Trompe L'oeil (I'd like it better if it wasn't french).
It's using paintings and murals to fool the eye.
Bet you could really get rid of that claustrophobic feeling of most basements with this.

[sammyg2]

One on e-bay for $3:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Trompe-LOeil-Wall-mural-LAKE-MOUNTAINS-TULIPS_W0QQitemZ380065533591QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em380065533591&_trkparms=72%3A1205|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A13 18&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[pookie]

That is awesome. I showed it to my wife, her response "Holy Frick, that is awesome".

[azasadny]

Excellent work! You should be very proud of that!!

[cl8ton]

Very nice! Love how you did the lighting!
The TP not on a holder is worth 20 man point’s right there