1) What was your main goal in building/renovating your Rec Room? (i.e.: to build a home theatre, great sound, a home bar or wine cellar or adding value to your home?)
All of the above. I’m a home theatre enthusiast and Linda likes nice clean uncluttered spaces. So we went with a home theatre solution that was uncluttered by using and in wall surround sound solution. Now we can enjoy a “Better than Theatre” experience without looking like a dedicated home theatre. The room is comfortable, clean and elegant. There are no wires or freestanding speakers to look at anywhere in the room. But when the system fires up – you have to hold on tight!
2) Was the room initially a finished or unfinished space?
Unfinished space
3) Did you use an architect or a designer, or did you plan the room yourself?
We planned the room ourselves but took advice from my home theatre designer and our hired contractor that finished our basement.
4) Did you hire a contractor or was this a do-it-yourself project?
We hired a contractor
5) How long did your Great Rec Room project take to complete?
5 months
6) What was the total cost of your project? How did the final/actual budget compare with your planned budget /
$50,000. We were high by about 10,000 but we knew we could afford it. We added some luxuries through the process that in the end satisfied us quite nicely.
7) What was the single most expensive item in your project?
Home Theatre equipment took almost 50% of the money. The single most expensive item would have been the labour.
8) What is your favorite part or item in your new Great Rec room?
We like it all!
9) What is the best way, or your favorite way, to show off your new Great Rec Room? (throwing a party, playing pool, playing a DVD)
Throwing a party for sure!
10) What is the one key piece of advice you would offer to others thinking about the same kind of project?
Know what you want.
** Most Important to my project was the team I was working with
1) Spectre Audio (www.spectreaudio.com) Najeeb was as professional as you could expect. He chose the components for my home theatre to make it as cutting edge as I could afford. He is very up-to-date on any home theatre application and is very much a video/audio professional. I wanted a system that was virtually stealth but had to perform better than a Cineplex and it does just that. Contact: Najeeb Khan Phone: (416) 897-2496
2) The Theme of Things I contacted Lou Hunter so she could bring fabrics into our basement (pillows, tapestries, pictures & draperies) She also designed the theater screen valence and draperies that look absolutely amazing. I wanted a rich old time theatre feel and she delivered big time.Contact: Lou Hunter Phone: (905) 847-1801
3) Alexanian Carpet I had a really big task ahead to have someone find me a rich carpet that looked like the same red carpet that Donald Trump uses on his set on the show “The Apprentice”. Leanne Hunter searched the planet for carpeting for us and when she found it she made it affordable to us. She called England and Belgium and found some wonderful samples for us. When we finally made our choice she took it from there and made it happen. The carpet installation and finished product was one of the most exciting experiences for me.Contact: Leanne Hunter Phone: (519) 240-5754
4) General Contractor Frank Brest was as amazing a contractor as you could ever possibly work with. Whenever we felt we were in a bind he always had the creativity to make it work. From designing the bar, the electrical, home theatre wiring, bathroom, framing, fireplace, insulation, air circulation…..etc… I am convinced that there is nothing Frank can’t do. And his finishing is beyond compare – he truly puts in 100% for his customers. We’re so happy with Frank that we’ve decided that we don’t need to find anyone else for the work that he does, our business is his business.Contact: Frank Brest Phone: (905) 648-1385