A makeover needed?

[peter halle]

Very nice!  [smile]

It would have been nice to make a sliding door that goes up to cover the TV when not in use. That's if the space above and in front of the TV will allow it. But why not just put a shelf above.
This post got me thinking of my own mantle piece that needs a makeover.

Festoolviking

Great suggestion!  Wish I could have done doors or something.  This was a true design / build in that I did a couple of very rough sketchup designs to give them an idea, but one thing that they wanted was to not see the tv from the side.  They then wanted the ability to tilt the tv, so the only thing that I could have pre built was the fronts of the boxes on either sides.  Once the mount was purchased I had to then design everything else, and the design would be based on how far the top of the tv would protrude when tilted to the max.  That just didn't work.  The whole thing would be too deep (front to back) and the shadows would totally kill any details.  So we adapted and made a compromise,  If the tv wasn't tilted you would not see it from the side.  Doors wouldn't work.  

Check back tonight and check out the sliding door that is there.  It is something that I have done in almost every mantle I have built.  SHHHH!

It has been 4 years since I did a project like this.  The designer who recommended me based on a mantle she saw that I built on a shoestring budget 5 years ago came by last week when it wasn't anything like this and just just sat there staring at it.

One of my favorite experiences of this was hearing yesterday: "We are so happy we found you.  My son-in-law who is in construction was here over the weekend and told us that it was apparent that you have talent and that you will take the time to make it right.  He gave it a thumbs up."

Talk about motivation!

Peter

 

[upscale]

Talk about motivation!

Don't you mean added pressure to build it properly? 

 

[fidelfs]

I installed my TV recently and I had researched the optimal height for a TV.

It is amazing to learn the most of people has the TV to high.  There are many sites about that, but this one is short and explains it very well: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080108041658AAMjOAB

I followed the advise and I am having a great experience watching at that height.

It is up to the customer where they want it , but there is always a right way and the other way.

 

[Tinker]

Peter, A job like that has to give a lot of gratification to you as a craftsman.  One goes thru a lot of run of the mill jobs before being asked to do something like that.  The customers are special and the job turns out to be fun.  The combination happens only every so often but the memory hangs around forever. Those are the jobs that make for a lot of fun and an anticipation for the next job to come along.
Tinker

 

[dltflt]

WOW!!  What a great improvement.

 

[peter halle]

I forgot the camera today, but here is an image the owner took.  The bottom left hand end is screwed in place so that the electrician can access the wiring.  The painter will be doing additional painting on the hearth, I just did a quick job to give them a complete visual.  I also showed them the two hidden compartments I built in.  They loved those!

Better pictures tomorrow.  I need to pick up my tools that are in the garage and measure for more trim to be installed in this room and the kitchen.

As Tinker said, a job like this where you can make a major impact on a person's life and have the ability to be paid based on your experience and skills is indeed a rarity, a treat, and a catalyst.

I posed suggestions made here to my client and they realize that the tv looks strange being low but they listened to what I told them about optimum height and this is compromise for them that they are willing to live with.

On the idea of a shelf, they thought that would run the risk of distracting from the arch which is their favorite part.

Peter

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[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Nice looking job  [big grin] Did u put a trim on the bottom where it meets the brick?

 

[peter halle]

The two side columns did not have trim at the brick - nor do any have trim where they meet the walls.  The gaps were small enough to caulk and I hate trim there usually.  Where the "columns" meet the brick threshold, that larger band of white in the image is indeed primed quarter round moulding.  I had scribed the boards behind them to meet the brick but the owner asked about molding and I had it with me and...

Where are the hidden compartments?  Guesses?

Peter

 

[harry_]

uhm,.... hidden. [poke]

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Ya I'm not too fond of the trim on that location but other than that nitpick its a great job! Any build pics?

 

[land_kel]

I'm thinking the bottom pillar doors swing, or the top pillars have small drawers.  Is that the final location for the TV or oil it move up and be more cantered in the arch?

Daid

 

[jmbfestool]

Will look good once painted.

Secret compartment I recon up inside the arch bit.

 

[jonny round boy]

Where are the hidden compartments?  Guesses?

My guess would be here, and same on the other side:

[attachimg=1]

The darker pieces top & bottom give it away...

 

[peter halle]

Keep guessing  [big grin].  The dark spaces are actually just dark grain in the wood.

Peter

 

[Paul G]

Where are the hidden compartments?  Guesses?

Peter

Sharing with the world in a public forum sort of defeats the purpose  [big grin]

 

[peter halle]

Where are the hidden compartments?  Guesses?

Peter

Sharing with the world in a public forum sort of defeats the purpose  [big grin]

Only if I identify the customer or take a video or images with a geo location enabled camera.  [scared]

Peter

 

[Paul G]

Where are the hidden compartments?  Guesses?

Peter

Sharing with the world in a public forum sort of defeats the purpose  [big grin]

Only if I identify the customer or take a video or images with a geo location enabled camera.   [scared]

Peter

If the customer is cool with it I'll play. I'm guessing there is a drawer in the pillars at the mantle level, somewhere around the dentil detail.

 

[upscale]

On the idea of a shelf, they thought that would run the risk of distracting from the arch which is their favorite part.

That occurred to me too. I was thinking more along the lines of some type of design, maybe a lattice such as one of these.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=decorative+interior+lattice&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=KIoLUo3rOIWqyQGt0YCQBw&ved=0CEwQsAQ&biw=800&bih=414

 

[Tinker]

I'm not guessing about the secret compartment.

In my previous post, i was going to ask about hiding the brick.  I was thinking about a marble facing.  I did read back and realized you had mentioned painting.  I think it looks much much better with paint.

Note about the dangers of marble facings on fireplaces.  I got a job about 48 years ago where i had to redo a fireplace facing by hiding the brick with a Marble Facing. there was this cute little German gal who was taking care of the children.  I went weak in the knees, the job should have taken about 4 hours but I spent four days.  I've been paying for that one ever since. That little lady roped me in within the year.  :
Tinker

 

[peter halle]

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