Welcome to the 850th Metamorphosis Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and spent it doing something you enjoy! Happy Mother’s Day! Also, a Happy Mother’s Day to all those dearhearts who are wonderful mothers to much-loved furry and feathered friends! You have a Mother’s heart, for sure!
For this week’s Metamorphosis Monday, I’m sharing the final reveal (minus one more lamp and bookshelf fillers) of the movie room/home theater I’ve been working on over the past month. You may recall that I added a sectional sofa last November. There had been no other additions to this room until a few weeks ago when I got fired up to finally finish my idea of turning this into a fun, kid-friendly movie room to enjoy with family who live nearby. Over the past few weeks, I’ve added two end tables, a TV, a console, and two cozy, plush chairs that I thought my grandsons would enjoy. When the new television was installed by the Geek Squad, the very old television over the mantel (left by the previous two homeowners) was removed, leaving some pretty big holes in the wall.
I spent this past week spackling and repairing all the holes, large and small. I was so happy with how it turned out, but like a dummy, I forgot to take a photo of the wall to share my handiwork before I eagerly hung something I had ordered to go there. I’m so mad at myself for forgetting to take a photo because I worked really hard on that wall. So, please just imagine this wall looking beautifully painted like nothing has ever been mounted there before.
I learned something about myself during this process: that I really dislike working on projects that have to be done in multiple stages. Repairing this wall involved a lot of “hurry up and wait” steps: patching holes, spackling, waiting for spackling to dry, sanding, spackling some more, more drying, more sanding, masking off areas that would not get painted, removing outlet covers, cutting in with paint, waiting on that paint to dry, more painting, more drying, applying a second coat, and finally, removing the masking tape and adding back the outlet cover. Arggh!
I am the most impatient person in the world, and it creates a lot of anxiety in me when I’m going through such a slow, day-to-day process. It’s almost as if I think that something is going to happen to prevent me from finishing the project. What if I get hit by a bus or have a heart attack in the middle of the project, and it never gets done? Or, some other catastrophe hits? Crazy, right?! Does anyone experience anxiety when working on a multi-step project, be it big or small? I wish I didn’t feel that way when I had to work on a project with lots of steps and waiting in between! I love projects where you get immediate results and there’s no stopping until it’s done! I’m sure that says something weird about my personality! lol
So here’s the finished room, minus a lamp for the other end of the sofa and filled/decorated bookshelves. Let’s check it out!
Please forgive, but for safety reasons, I erased my name on the sign over the mantle in these photos. I love and trust YOU, my wonderful subscribers, but since this post is going out on the World Wide Web, I thought it prudent to remove that part. Please don’t take offense, I wish we lived in a different world where we never had to worry about stuff like that.
This is the sign that I ordered. (Photo from shop.) It can be personalized with your name or a gift recipient’s name. I went with the 30 x 60-inch size, although the sign I received actually measures 30 x 59. Notice where the apostrophe is in the example below. That didn’t look quite right to me, I kept thinking the apostrophe should go after the s, not before it. Since all the examples at the shop from which I purchased the sign showed it before the S, I wondered if I was wrong. I checked several sites online to see which way was correct, and what I found said that if you’re only referring to a single person, then the example below would be correct. However, if you’re going for the plural possessive, meaning referring to the entire family, then the apostrophe should go after the S. Since I didn’t create this movie room just for my enjoyment, but for sharing it with my son, DIL, and grandsons, I went for the plural possessive for my sign. (Read more about that punctuation rule HERE, HERE, and HERE.)
I do like how this sign turned out and how it looks here above the mantel. It is very well made and feels substantial. I got a good workout hanging it by myself! (Sign is available in 6 sizes (customized with your name) here: Personalized Movie Room/Home Theater Sign.)
Another view/angle…
About those baskets: Remember when I was trying to choose baskets for the console? I was leaning toward the one on the right since it was a bit less ornate, and though it doesn’t look like it in this photo, I felt it matched the color of the top of the console a bit better. The basket on the right was also the one you guys liked the most in the comments of that previous post.
Here’s how the baskets turned out.
Another view/angle…
I had planned to place the surge protector inside the bottom center basket for easy access, but in the end, I found it easily fit behind the console. The cables won’t be quite as easily accessible without moving the console out, but that’s okay. (Console is available here: Console.) Baskets are available here: Baskets.)
So about those empty cabinets on either side of the fireplace…
I’ve started filling them with puzzles. Since this house has so many built-in bookshelves throughout, including the living room and my office, I thought this would be a fun place to house all my puzzles. I need to bring up my other puzzles from Georgia.
They are currently on the living room floor there since I cleared out the closet they were stored in for future painting. Won’t these be fun and colorful stored on the basement shelves? They are going to fill up my SUV on the next drive up!
So that’s what I have in mind for those shelves. Any overflow can go into the cabinets below.
In this photo, we can see where the popcorn machine ended up in the room.
Remember the fun sign I found to go over it? If you’re too young to remember seeing this at the drive-in or the theater, you’ll find the cute jingle here: Let’s All Go To The Lobby. (Treat sign is available here: Sign for Movie Room.)
I squatted down for this photo to get even with the machine, but the cute sign above is visible when standing in front of it. (Popcorn Machine/Popper is available here: Popcorn Machine.)
A view with the lights in the room turned down low…
I love the little “Concession” stand inside. 🙂
A Surprise Addition: One last addition to the movie room is a Pachinko game that I received as a gift over 40 years ago. It’s been sitting unused for many years in the Georgia basement storage room. If you look closely, it’s visible there behind the planter/pot, and the gazing globe.
Unbeknownst to me, at some point over the years, it had stopped working. I took it to a nearby arcade repair shop here in Ohio, which was no small feat since it weighs a ton! They repaired it, and now it’s a popular feature in the movie room with my grandsons. This one came from the Pachinko Palace in Richardson, Texas, per the printing on the cardboard box that came with it to catch the discarded balls. I’m not sure if that store still exists, but I noticed there are listings for Pachinko Machines on eBay here: Pachinko Machines.
I’ll be sure to share a little update once I have the second lamp and the puzzles in place. I think the puzzles will be a fun addition to the bookshelves in this room. Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday!
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Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings, save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, you’ll need to link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Oh, Susan! The Pachinko machine gave me a chuckle. My dad was an engineer who worked with Japanese companies throughout his career. He somehow ended up with a Pachinko machine which I claimed when my mom sold their summer home. We hung it in our basement theatre room. When we were packing up our house in Illinois to move to Georgia to be near our grandsons, my youngest grandson asked every single day if we were bringing the pachinko machine. And once we arrived, he asked every single day if it had been installed. My grandsons love it; I bet yours will too!
Oh, that is such a cool story—love it! I was afraid my grandsons would fight over it, but they’ve been really good about taking turns. Pachinko machines are a lot of fun, especially when a ball lands in the right place and the lights/bells go off! Ha! 🙂 Karen, how did you hang your machine? I would love to find a better spot for mine, although the boys don’t seem to mind sitting on the floor.
We used a French cleat that the machine rests on. We had an electrician install an outlet up high in the wall so the cord stays hidden.
Susan, I wanted to comment on your concession spot in your popcorn machine on your previous post but somehow it never got sent. I love that addition to the machine! I had bought one of those a decade or so ago for my granddaughter’s family and I don’t think that feature was available.
Also when we lived in Japan in the early 1970s pachinko machines were everywhere-imagine that. We brought a lot of things back from there but not one of those!
Oh, I bet they loved that…what a great gift! I have read that they are really popular in Japan…I think that may be where they originate.
That is SO fun Susan!! You’ve done a fabulous job, and that room is as cozy and welcoming as could be – I can see why you and your family love it! Can’t wait to see the puzzles in place. Your collection is impressive! Thanks so much for sharing, and for hosting. This is a great inspiring start to my week!
I’ve collected so many over the years…every now and then, I’ll do one again, so I’ve held onto them. Thanks, Barbara! I hope you have an amazing week!
I cannot imagine a more perfect room for family fun! You will have such wonderful memories made in there, Susan. Enjoy every moment!
Thanks so much, Merri Jo!
XXX
Wow! What a gift for the entire family, Susan! I totally get your impatience, not necessarily because of anxiety, but just for the sake of being impatient.
The room looks great, love the console and baskets, and the coziness of the furniture. Have a blast! I can see the grandsons wanting to have their friends over to their cool Nana’s (Grandma, mimi, whatever they call you) house!
Yes! I am so impatient, just want to see the results right away!
Thanks, Rita! The baskets really transformed the console and I love the storage for things I want to keep at hand but don’t need to be on a shelf or in a cabinet.
They call me, Mimi. I could never think of a great name and a lovely BNOTP reader suggested that one, so I went with it.
It must feel good to have accomplished all that, Susan. The big sign looks great, as do the baskets in the console (is that a weather station I see? lol) Btw, don’t think a thing about blacking out your family name. I doubt anybody here would think twice about that. Better safe than sorry.
With the addition of the popcorn machine and cute little treats sign, it really puts the icing on the cake. Putting the puzzle boxes on the shelves is a great idea, imo and will make a pretty, colorful display in that area. I hope you’re satisfied, now that you got through most of it. And yes, I completely relate to your anxiety and worry about getting something done. I’m in the midst of something like that myself, right now. Ugh.
Thanks for the update and I hope you have a great week!
Yup, I love those weather stations and purchased several for this house. You need it when you live in Ohio! Ha!
Yeah, I feel more relaxed having most of it done. Just need to bring up the lamp from Georgia and get a shade for it. I do think the puzzles will look great there! I had been thinking of doing that since I didn’t want to use decorative items but wanted the shelves to be more filled in. So I was going to try that, then a few days ago, a lovely BNOTP reader emailed me with the same suggestion. It will be a puzzle library of sorts.
I laughed about your comment “Hurry up and wait” Ugh. I am very impatient. I used that comment yesterday. Everything looks great and well planned out. Good job.
I am with with you on blanking out the name. When I set up this phone I didn’t put my correct zip code in. Be surprised who uses your information to cater to your buying habits.
I use DuckDuckGo. There are thousands of trackers on every site you visit.
Have the kids seen the final reveal ?
I know, it’s crazy that we have to worry about things like that. I wish we didn’t.
Again, your media sanctuary is an Award Winner!!! Glad you got the larger baskets to balance out…soooo, what was your first movie?? Curious minds… franki
Thanks so much, Franki! It’s not a very fancy theater room, but it feels just right for two rambunctious boys with tons of energy! lol
We’ve only had one movie night so far, since every single evening one of my grandsons has baseball practice or a baseball game—both boys are playing right now. They were on a weekend long camping trip with their dad this past weekend.
The movie we watched was Secretariat. We watched it the same evening/day as the Kentucky Derby. We paused the movie to watch the race (which only lasts for a minute or two) then went right back to the movie.
I had never seen the movie since I’m always afraid (Big Chicken!) to watch movies with animals in them. I’m always afraid something bad will happen to an animal during the movie. My son assured me that nothing bad would happen to any of the horses or Secretariat, so I trusted him and watched. It was great! I always can’t help but feel sorry for the horses that have to race, but it was a great movie. I remember hearing about Secretariat for years and years after that race happened; I was in high school at the time. It was great to see the movie, made me wish I had seen it sooner!
What a fun room for the grandsons to grow up through their teens and beyond (and fun for adults too). Is there a fridge nearby for drinks? Love the sign too and didn’t you have a neon sign? Puzzles will look on the bookcases. It is hard work filling in holes in walls. I’m working on a very small ding and so far it has taken three attempts with hole putty and it still has a slight impression.
Thanks so much, Kathleen! A fridge would be a great addition! I wish I could bring down the little blue one that’s in my office in Georgia. It would probably be easier to just buy another one here and have it delivered. I could put it in one of the storage room down here. Love that idea!
I know what you mean! I think that’s why I dislike doing that type of work, I’m too much of a perfectionist! Good luck with that ding, I know how frustrating it can be getting it just right!
Your media/movie room has turned out just Fabulous! So many cute accessories! I love everything you did but I still say the navy blue sofa needs some comfy pillows for lounging!
I 100% agree! I need to look for some more. I did buy some covers for inserts I already had, but they felt scratchy, so I returned them. Def need some great pillows that are nice and cushy!
What a fantastic room – I’m sure you and your family will get many hours of enjoyment out of it! My brother in law is an electrical engineer (his claim to fame is that he worked for Dr Robert Ballard, the oceanographic archaelogist that found the Titanic 🙂 ), and is always accumulating broken things that he gets working again. He got a Pachinko machine and an old pinball machine that he fixed up and are now in the ‘man cave’. His man cave is really a large metal shop that houses his equipment on one side and lots of stuff for the kids and grandkids everywhere else 🙂 The kids loved those machines and now the grandkids love them. And occasionally us old folks have fun with them too, lol. Thanks for sharing your progress with us and for links to the fun stuff, I have quite a few things from your posts on my Amazon wish list 🙂
Patty, so interesting that you mention the Titanic. I watched part of the National Geographic program about that today, and how they have a full digital image now of the wreckage. They talked briefly about how Ballard was the first person to locate where the ship is resting. His man cave sounds amazing and like a great place to hang out. We need more men like that in this world!
WOW, just so fun and fabulous. What a great family gathering room, I expect many happy memories will be made there. I had to nod in agreement about your anxiety surrounding unfinished projects….(I am much the same way about leaving for a vacation without the house being basically spotless and everything in its place). Could I leave in the middle of a project…doubtful. LOL Have a wonderful week!
Thanks, Rosie! I know what you mean. It takes me forever to leave for a trip…gotta make the bed and leave the house in great condition so it’s shipshape once I return. lol
Yup, I HAVE to come home to a pristine house…I MAY be known for vacuuming my way out of the house. LOL
Susan, this is such a cool room – what a great place for you and your family to gather, watch movies, and make memories. Your grandsons must adore it!! Love the popcorn maker and I hope you enjoy all your hard work!
Thanks so much, Kim! It’s been a lot of fun putting it together!
XXX
Susan,
Love the sign!!
Thanks so much for hosting!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!! I hope you are enjoying your week and you are doing well…
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
WOW! Has it truly come together. Love those new additions and ideas. Well done, Susan. What a wonderful happy place to watch movies as a family together. It really doesn’t get much better than that.
Whoa, I would never have guessed the extent of your puzzle library! It is going to look great on those shelves. Psst..I’ve heard rumors that the X’s Theater & Lounge is the hottest ticket in town now