New Fake Chimney Breast. DIY Newbie

[toffee_andy]

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!

[toffee_andy]

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

[toffee_andy]

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

[toffee_andy]

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

[toffee_andy]

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.

[toffee_andy]

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!

[toffee_andy]

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

[toffee_andy]

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

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

Pics below

[toffee_andy]

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.