It has been a long time since I’ve posted anything about our house remodel, which is kind of a bummer since we’ve been in the house for 10 months now. This is close to what the shop looked like before we started our remodel, but I didn’t manage to get any pictures before we insulated (that is part of the remodel). Todd originally built this shop to use to work on cars, etc., but that isn’t something he’s super interested in anymore. He had the fabulous idea to turn the space into a Home Theater/Family Room, and it turned out amazing!
The end result of the remodel is awesome, including computers, mini-fridge, and giant TV screen. It has been dubbed the Nerd Castle.
Unfortunately, since I didn’t get any pictures taken until after we insulated, I don’t have any of the electric work to show. The shop was pretty much a blank slate when it came to the remodel because we didn’t have a lot of demolition to do – just removing Todd’s old work benches. After we got the electricity run and insulation installed, we had a contractor come in to hang and tape the sheet rock. Thank goodness – they were done in three days. It would have taken us weeks, I’m sure! The cut-out in the second picture on the left is for the air conditioner, and the little black box below it houses the heater. In the next picture over, the cutout is for the electrical panel.
Then it was time to prime and paint! We used a tinted primer because we painted the shop very dark colors because of the theater screen. It’s not a color I would keep for every day, but I actually kind of like the lavender color of the primer. Harley was thrilled that I was taking pictures. 😀
Finally it was time to start painting color! Deep, dark purple and a very saturated charcoal color (not quite black). We used flat paint to reduce the amount of glare reflected back towards the screen.
The original floor was a concrete pad, and we wanted to keep it functional as much as we could, so we decided to install two colors of EVA foam tiles in a checkerboard pattern. I cannot even begin to express what a smart decision this was for us. Shortly after the shop was complete and we had put all our paint and stain in one of the cabinets, one of them fell off the wall and a 1-gallon can of stain exploded all over the floor! All we had to do for clean up was to remove the tiles that were covered and hose them off in the yard. Then we just hosed out the inside of the building and let it all air dry. We ended up replacing one of the tiles that was too damaged, but the rest were fine! Looking at it now, nearly a year later, it’s nearly impossible to see any evidence of the spill at all!
Our friend, Justin, came over to help when we blew a TON of insulation into the ceiling. This building stays nice and cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is so nice!
The cabinets we installed were the old kitchen cabinets we replaced as part of the kitchen remodel. We just gave them all a couple of coats of paint. The amount storage they add to the space is invaluable! The kids’ desk and computer is on this wall under these cabinets.
Finally, Todd installed the TV screen, hooked up all the components, and we loaded the place with furniture! It has turned into the perfect place for the kids to have friends over, we have had guests sleep out here, and all of our computers are in there, as well – it is the Nerd Castle after all. That’s Todd’s desk and computer on the right-hand side of the room, and mine is just back from his a little way where the other chair is. We have the red popcorn popper by the book shelves (a fabulous Christmas gift from Joe & Dort), and there is a mini-fridge full of drinks by the door.
Todd’s gaming set-up. He actually has room for two more screens if he wants to add them. I can’t imagine trying to keep track of that many screens at once. I struggle enough as it is with just two.
For Christmas, I had this sign made for Todd. We like to have people take their shoes off when they enter so that our floor doesn’t become too damaged.
I am hoping to get more of these completion posts made soon so I can do the final wrap-up of our remodel.
Nature Girl. Mom. Wife. Friend. Photographer. Sewer. Crafter. Artist.
To borrow a phrase – “Yeet Ye Riche”