Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Please Pass the Popcorn

After living in a fairly small home for so long, I really learned what it took to maximize a room's functions. For instance, our former study also served as a sitting room and music room, in addition to hosting a separate dining space when we entertained many people.

Few of us are fortunate enough, however, to have space designated solely as a home theater. Still, I thought it'd be fun to post a few inspiration pics.





That first photo is from the Elk Springs Lodge and Resort in Gatlinburg, TN. Isn't it fun?

All of the rooms above are much more elaborate than our media room will be. That's partly due to our limited budget and also to the multitude of uses our room must perform. I mean, seriously. As pretty as a coffered ceiling would be, I can't see it working for us with that exposed laundry area.

13 comments:

niartist said...

Beautiful! I can't wait to see your media room. I have always wanted a fancy pants media room - but alas, none so far! Thanks for sharing these beautiful rooms - if you're pulling inspiration from these - your room will surely be a hit! Happy New Year!

Mary said...

Love the photos - but how many of us truly live like that? You are one of the few who has actually posted photos of their own home - most post publications.

My question to you and your readers: don't we love a room that has multi functions? I always wanted an intimate dining room surrounded by bookshelves. But HGTV will say "what is this? a dining room or a library?" They say a buyer will be confused if the room doesn't have a single identity. I would think it would be more appealing if the room had options.....your thoughts?

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Wow! I can't even imagine how big those home have to be to have those wonderful media rooms!

I love rooms that are multi purpose. In fact, we have a guest room, that I would love to turn into a library. I want to have a Murphy bed installed. Our guest room gets used about 3 times a year and the rest of the time sits unused. That might be my next big project, when time and money allow.

sandra/tx said...

Artie, don't get your hopes up about our media room. It will be much more functional than it will be pretty -- at least anytime soon. LOL

Mary, that's a great question. I think the issue of multi-function is mostly poo-pooed on shows that feature desperate home sellers. I agree with you that most of us would prefer rooms that perform double, or even triple, duty. I know I do.

A laundry area in a media room is a bit too functional, in my opinion, but we'll make it work. We don't plan on moving for years and years, but hopefully, the changes we make in the media room will make that room more appealing to future homebuyers than it was to us.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Can you imagine??! I would never see the kids again...they would live their with their friends!

Yours will be great too! You, my dear, have panache!

Mary said...

personally - I don't know that I have ever sat through a movie w/o doing at least one load of wash.....it will be perfect!

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

I'm excited about your media room, too, Sandra! I prefer function first in a home. But maybe that's pretty obvious since my house doesn't leave much to play with at 480 sf, huh?
Besides, how many women can truly sit still through a whole movie every time without ever multitasking? haha
Katie

Amber Cargile said...

Sandra, my favorite media rooms are (no surprise) by Michael S. Smith. He features a lovely one in Rob Reiner's house (Meathead!)in his first book that is FAB. So many media rooms just feel like nice movie theaters to me...this one really feels like a living room w/ extra bells and whistles. I need to scan and send it to you.

Amber Cargile said...

Just saw Mary's question. I completely agree. It's not that I don't like seeing huge mansions w/ media rooms, but honestly, ANYONE can have a good media room if they have a couple hundred thousand dollars to throw at it and hire a good designer. It's MUCH more interesting/inspiring to see people retrofit a challenging room or get creative w/ design, work w/in a realistic budget, etc.

I feel the same way about fashion. I am never impressed by designer handbags w/ big emblems on them. To me, a lot of those women are just following herd. REAL style, creativity...dare I say, "panache"? comes from putting some THOUGHT and originality into things, not just throwing money at a problem.

Okay, that was my two cents...and probably worth half that!

artis1111 said...

Most of the media rooms I have seen have been in these massive homes that have three stories. First I would hat to clean it and second OH MY KNEES. The reason we made our garage into our master is it was the the stairs or my knees. All I have to say is I love my master 20x 21 ft. Stairs are for the young. The rooms are lovely , and I hope you get what you want. Kathy

Anonymous said...

I have been surfing on-line more than three
hours lately, but I by no means found any fascinating article like yours.
It's pretty value enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the net will likely be much more helpful than ever before.

Check out my blog post: extra resources

Anonymous said...

It's an amazing article for all the online visitors; they will take benefit from it I am sure.

Here is my web page: Chaussure De Foot Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

e cigarettes, vapor cigarette, electronic cigarette, smokeless cigarettes, ecigs, electronic cigarettes