Random Reno stuff
 

Wow...H&HR kind of dropped off. Time for a build thread!

This shit is way old, but kind of cool.

A client wanted a way to mount a flat screen above the fireplace without being able to see the brackets and wires.

Here is kind of a before. There was homemade mantle around the fireplace.
http://i.imgur.com/iu2xE.jpg


So, after pushing some lines around, this is what we came up with:
http://i.imgur.com/nANYD.jpg

Here is a in process picture.
http://i.imgur.com/d2PYw.jpg

And the finished product. The client actually took the sketchup drawing and went so far as to plan out tile placement so the guy that actually did the tiles just had to cut and glue.
http://i.imgur.com/eFuL7.jpg

For actually mounting the tv, I had my electrician come and run all the wires and put in the plug. Then, I made a plywood plug for the tv hole that was glued, screwed and anchored to the metal studs. I pity the foo that tries to remove it. I really didn't want to buy him a new tv.

The new mantle piece is actually flooring material which was a bitch to work with.

great job, nicely planned and executed.

I'm wanting a similar look, nice and clean, but may i ask, where did you put the cablebox and dvd player?. I don't know much about this stuff, but do you have to get a real long hdmi cable to connect cablebox to tv as well?

Looks good. The one thing I'd do if I was your client is remove that light fixture, doesn't look like it serves any purpose. Worst case scenario remove it and add some pot lights.

^ looks like a condo, so probably can't put pot lights if it's slab right above.

Nice job though. I agree that the light fixture just doesn't look right there, but there really aren't many options for lower profile fixtures.

Wires and cable box:

We put in a conduit that runs out to the side of the fireplace. Unfortunately, this whole thing backs onto the kitchen, so we were limited on where exactly things could go. The bracket he picked out for the tv also swings away and articulates, so you don't need to remove the tv to access the back ports.

Lighting: I think that was next on the menu. It's a concrete ceiling with applied texture, so pot lights are out. The entire lighting package in those apartments was horrible.

That is very well done.
How much more work would it be to add a small spot light under the mantle peice to highlight the fireplace and perhaps one that would just barely light the wall behind the TV? I think that would be a nice feature.

I've shot a lot of houses and this a fireplace set up I would even want. Which says a lot because I'm not a fan of fireplaces especially the fake ones that are just a few lights in a black metal box that hangs on the wall like a picture frame and plugs in like a lamp.

Adding more to the electrical isn't hard at all. As long as there is a power source that you can tap into, and its not overloading the circuit, you are good to go. You just need to have a junction box somewhere accessible to the room.

I just ask the client what they want, give my input and then repeat the instructions to my electrician(who is awesome ps, if anyone is ever in the need).

I totally agree with you that a little lighting improvements would have put that over the edge.

Hey Dinasour's Bitch,

You know a great electrician but do you know a great handyman/carpenter type trade? I need a dishwasher properly installed, and I have granite counters which makes it a bit more challenging, so I have been told and also transistion strips screwed into concrete between my laminate and tile areas.

Few little things that around the place. Craigslist ads for handymen seeems like it could be a gamble.

For the transition strips just use PL construction adhesive from Home Depot