DesignRJC » living room http://designrjc.com basic.design.simple.methods. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:27:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 One wall to create two fully functional rooms. http://designrjc.com/one-wall-to-create-two-fully-functional-rooms/ http://designrjc.com/one-wall-to-create-two-fully-functional-rooms/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:47:10 +0000 RJC@DesignRJC http://blog.designrjc.com/?p=294 One of the main draws to my condo is the openness it had and with stairs leading to an open kitchen/dining area, it felt like a loft.  The main flaw to it being open is from the front entry way, you are able to see right into the living space and to the living area’s patio glass sliding door.  It left me with only one wall to face the sofa (which did not feel quite right) and to put a tv and left little room to move.  After watching countless hours of HGTV, I decided to renovate my living room area and create a wall separating the entry way and the living area thus enclosing my living area creating a more cozy feel to it.  Below are the pictures from the project with captions detailing what was done.  Hope you enjoy!

As you can see, this is what you will see from the living room out to the entry way area.

As you can see, this is what you will see from the living room out to the entry way area originally. In addition, the existing counter has a sink and faucet used as a wet bar which I will not use normally. I rather use this space more efficiently.

Went to Home Depot, picked up 2x4 wood and drywall; had everything measured beforehand and started putting the wall up.

Went to Home Depot, picked up 2x4 wood and drywall; had everything measured and cut beforehand and started putting the wall up.

After all the 2x4 studs were screwed in and dry wall on the living area side was secured. This is a photo from the back.

After all the 2x4 studs were screwed in and dry wall on the living area side was secured. This is a photo from the back.

Dry wall up view from the living room. Ready to be primered.

Dry wall up view from the living room is done. This is after making sure that the sides have used joint tape, spackle and sanded down for a smooth finish. The wall is ready to add primer for it.

Day 2, you can see on the left of the dry wall in the 2x4 wood stud, I drilled two holes, these will be used to run cabling.

Day 2, you can see on the left of the dry wall in the 2x4 wood stud, I drilled two holes, these will be used to run cabling.

Day 2 of my project, I just finished adding primer to the wall.

Day 2 of my project, I just finished adding primer to the wall.

After I added primer to the wall, I painted it the color matching the rest of the living room. I also bought a cabinet from Ikea that fit almost perfectly atop of the existing surface.

After I added primer to the wall, I painted it the color matching the rest of the living room. I also bought a cabinet from Ikea that fit almost perfectly atop of the existing surface.

This is the rear view, no dry wall put up since I need to install a TV mount, run cabling and secure the cabinet. Finishing up the wall would be my last thing to do.

This is the rear view, no dry wall put up since I need to install a TV mount, run cabling and secure the cabinet. Finishing up the wall would be my last thing to do.

Day 4, mounted the TV mount to the 2x4 studs, mounted my Samsung, and added home theater speakers with the cabinet in place. I didn't quite snap pictures as I went along but you can see the progress. This is eventually the wall used as my entertainment center.

Day 4, mounted the TV mount to the 2x4 studs, mounted my Samsung, and added home theater speakers with the cabinet in place. I didn't quite snap pictures as I went along but you can see the progress. This is eventually the wall used as my entertainment center.

As you can see, I put on only one piece of dry wall and left the other side open so I am able to work and run the necessary cabling for my surround speakers and other entertainment cables from my cabinet.

As you can see, I put on only one piece of dry wall and left the other side open so I am able to work and run the necessary cabling for my surround speakers and other entertainment cables from my cabinet.

Here is a close up of the holes cut out for my cabinet. The round holes are for cabling and the large cut in the middle is to access the rear panel of my receiver. I needed to wire everything up before I can seal the wall up.

Here is a close up of the holes cut out for my cabinet. The round holes are for cabling and the large cut in the middle is to access the rear panel of my receiver. I needed to wire everything up before I can seal the wall up.

After I completed running all the cabling for the speakers and television, it was time to dry wall the entry way side. This is a picture after I finished screwing the drywalls, adding joint compound sanding.

After I completed running all the cabling for the speakers and television, it was time to dry wall the entry way side. This is a picture after I finished screwing the drywalls, adding joint compound sanding.

Ta-Da! My brand new living room space with custom entertainment center and custom wall mounted LCD TV with home theater. This is fairly close to what it looks like now but it is a bit cleaner. I will post updated pictures soon.

Ta-Da! My brand new living room space with custom entertainment center and custom wall mounted LCD TV with home theater. This is fairly close to what it looks like now but it is a bit cleaner. I will post updated pictures soon.

So that is a quick summary of my living room wall project which this single wall served two purposes.  One was it separated the entry way and living area.  This makes the living area plenty more functional, more cozy and gives it a focal point along with a privacy one did not have before letting any visitor who walk in be able to see who was over already.  As for the entry way, since we added porcelain tiles, it feels more grand and I am able to decorate the new wall with art pieces.

If you have been paying attention, you must think I am crazy for sealing the wall up with the cabling and no access to it.  Long story short, I had already considered this and ordered an access panel that sits flush to the wall.  This gives me access to the cabling and the important rear panel of my entertainment cabinet.  There are a few other items I needed to purchase in order to complete the wall, and those pictures were not taken but I will add them soon.

Have you done any home projects like this?  What do you think of the job I did?  I am quite satisfied and proud because this is my first home project and every one who has visited has approved of what I’ve done.

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