[freemo999]

Hi All

I am just starting a DIY project I have wanted to do for while.

I am taking out the existing gas fireplace and mantle and building a fake chimney breast. I have seen some wonderful examples on here that has inspired me into choosing this way to go about it.

I am admittedly an amateur when it comes to DIY so I may need advice of you guys and hopefully you will be able to give advice to me.

Attached are a few Photos of the existing living room.

The equipment I have currently is:
Panasonic TH50PZ80
Sky HD
Xbox 360
And a Philips Surround Sound amp and Speaker package(Cheapie Home Cinema jobby). I hope to upgrade this later this year, but have a feeling I may have to upgrage certain components during this install eg. Centre speaker as i would like to have it fitted flush into frame.

[Paddy!]

Looks like you've got a good sized room to do it in and a lovely TV to show off!!

I'm currently having a go at one myself so we can swap tips!

[freemo999]

Oh great, you had time to put any pics up?

Please find below floorplan with dimensions of room and plans(rough)

[Paddy!]

Yes mate, the thread is HERE

[freemo999]

Today I had my gas Fire removed.

My house is 10 yrs old and has a meta flue in the loft space and the flue that runs up from downstairs is 4" by 10" channel of thermalite.

Does anyone know if i am able now this is out of use to run a cable down this flue from my loft down into the living room. it would be great if i could as this means i could connect my media pc in the loft to my TV

[freemo999]

Ok so done a bit more, removed fireplace this weekend and this evening started on the wall.

1st of all i hope i never have the pleasure of fixing a wooden frame into dot and dab plasterboard!!! Arrrghh horrible type of wall.

Anyway attached a few photos to show you all where am up to.

Purchased a few more bits over weekend also.
10m HDMI lead
8800GTS Card for Vista Media Centre PC(in loft)
10m optical lead
5m USB Extender
SKy Magic Eye
Gyration remote and keyboard (best thing bought so far!!)
Tilt Bracket from M-Form

Its coming along

[freemo999]

Finised frame work, and sttarted putting plasterbaord on last night.

BUT

Also put a 4" scratch in middle of the new 50"
Going through insurance company to see if they can get it repaired! only problem they have assigned Powerplay to my claim!!

[wayneclements]

Im thinking about doing something similar so I'll paying attention to this thread and trying to note time and costs. Currently mine is like this:

And I'd be wanting to the same as you with the unit at the bottom. I'd probably try and get some of the speakers mounted into it all as well.

[freemo999]

Hi

I hoped to integrate speakers too but currently i only have a Philips Home cinema out of the box solution which is 5 years old. I do plan on upgrading this later in the year so backed out of the "do half a job now by installin existing speakers" and worry about how i will position the speakers in the summer.

Currently so far have spend approx £60 on Wood.
Bracket £53
Rigifix bolts £8
Screws/Nails £20
Plasterboard FOC

Cheers
Andy

[craigoscott]

where you gettin your plasterboard from Free??? lol

good job so far mate, as for your flue idea, i dont see why that wouldnt work! :D if its redundant now, might as well try and make some use for it!

[freemo999]

Cheers

I ended up using the flue so have HTPC up there with cables coming down, even sent a coax up there that i can use for the future maybe from the sky box into a TV card

[freemo999]

Ok Been off today doing the plastering with father in law.

All cables are now in place !!! Exciting bit is here !!

Pics below

[freemo999]

More

[Repster]

Watching this thread. I am thinking of doing a false chimeny and was going to do a 'straight up' one. Now seeing yours with the kick out has given me a few new ideas. Watching with interest

[IanW]

Originally Posted by toffee_andy

More

Looking good.

[freemo999]

Originally Posted by Repster

Watching this thread. I am thinking of doing a false chimeny and was going to do a 'straight up' one. Now seeing yours with the kick out has given me a few new ideas. Watching with interest

Yea i kind of had to build the unit due to the wooden floor being build up to and around old fire place. Am glad i did do it this way though as i have been able to hide all other equipment.

Been to order black granite top to sit ontop of the frame, and still debating how to finish the front of unit off.
Either 4 doors or 3 sliding doors maybe made out of smoked perspex.

[freemo999]

Put 2nd coat of paint on frame last night, hopefully TV should be back to me by friday of this week (with replacement filter screen hehe)

Took a quick photo on phone earlier today

[andy900uk]

looking good, how did you scratch your screen or is it best not to ask.

[alz2605]

Great job so far mate! Can't wait to see the end result

[Daveybryce]

Looks really tidy there, I can't wait to move so i can start a project like this.

I used to have the same Philips surround package as you, i've still got the amp and speakers which i have in the loft for when i move so i can have a gaming room. Not a bad amp tbh and it still works well after 7/8 yrs

Keep us posted

[Stoatman]

Brilliant project , I cant help but think though is it going to be difficult to change the front speakers soon ?. Perhaps a few hundred quid spent now and you could of been set for years. If its easy then ignore my ramblings.

[freemo999]

Originally Posted by andy900uk

looking good, how did you scratch your screen or is it best not to ask.

4x 3m lengths of Float bead,
2x Kids
1x Stressed Dad

And 1 180 degree change of direction with Float bead in hand!!

[freemo999]

Thanks for your comments guys, this had been my 1st diy project on this scale. Have really enjoyed it and am very pleased with the outcome.

Re Speakers:
Yes i know its been nagging at me for ages that i should of done that but with a wedding this year i just about got missus to ok me the ££ to get me this far, so went ahead with kit i had and thought in the future i can either struggle and find ones to kit the space i have made OR close them over patch them up and fit them on side of unit or on walls either end of room.

I know its probably not the best solution but I wanted to press on

[thefathacker]

Looks excellent that mate. Looking forward to the end result!

[andy900uk]

Originally Posted by toffee_andy

4x 3m lengths of Float bead,
2x Kids
1x Stressed Dad

And 1 180 degree change of direction with Float bead in hand!!

ouch , yep that would do it. really looking forward to seeing the finished job i like you idea of a granite top.
Andy

[freemo999]

Thanks for ya comments.

TV is due back on Monday.
Got one price back for the granite and it was £400+, so got another quote coming back today, another alternative is to have the shelf made from MDF and then get a friend to spray the shelf up in his spray booth to a nice high gloss black finish.

Then the front of the unit i am going to have 3 sliding 5mm perspex doors i think

[andy900uk]

have a search on the net you may find you get get some good deals on granite, one of my customers has found some work top at a price i could not match, will ask him for the site addy when i see him tomorrow.
Andy

[freemo999]

Originally Posted by andy900uk

have a search on the net you may find you get get some good deals on granite, one of my customers has found some work top at a price i could not match, will ask him for the site addy when i see him tomorrow.
Andy

That would be great, thanks

The problem seems to be that i want one single peice 73" wide and need an expensive peice to do this

[freemo999]

OK guys

Tv has been returned,painting finished, lights in

just awaiting the work op and doors now!!

Really pleased how its coming 2gether
Took a few pics not the best qquality not took on my camera used on the family compact

[Funky Junkie]

Hi, an old project done about 5 years ago. Cheers