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IRL (In Real Life) => General Discussion => Topic started by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:13:39 AM

Title: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:13:39 AM
Long shot, I know, but we Grogs are an eclectic bunch.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Barthheart on June 06, 2018, 10:19:27 AM
What are you looking for? Painting or renos? Drapes or furniture?
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:26:52 AM
The house I bought has a "flex room" that's 20x13 feet.  Right now it's being used as a workshop; plywood floor and a rather rough looking ceiling.  This room has to serve as a home office as well as a guest room and family room...basically a man cave that I'll be more or less evicted from when family or Mirth visits.

It's essentially a blank slate, so I'm trying to get ideas what to do with the room so it will look classy. 

I know this isn't much help, but I'm looking at pictures online and I don't even know where to start.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:29:44 AM
This is the only picture I have of the room.

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 06, 2018, 10:36:06 AM
WTF? You've got some impressive shop tools. Do you make furniture, or your own surfboards too?
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Barthheart on June 06, 2018, 10:39:11 AM
I'm not an interior designer by trade but I've done most of the space deign in my own home, including finishing my basement. Star is probably your reno guy more that me but I can usually come up with space layout designs.

20 x13 is a large space. I guessing it's ground floor as I don't think your new local has basements. Many windows?

You mentioned office space, family room, and guest room. What furniture do you want in the office space? Just a small computer desk and chair or more? Family room - large screen, stereo, couches chairs?Can guest sleep on pull out beds? What kind of lighting do you want - gaming clarity, theatre quality, both?

Once you start listing what you think you want/need you can usually come up with a plan fairly quickly. How are you with visualization? Can you hold a paint swatch and picture the whole room that colour? Can you visualize different piece of furniture in different spots?

I've also found that inexpensive home design software helps a lot. I use Chief Architect Home Designer Interiors software. Fairly cheap and lots of tools to use.

https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/products/home-designer-interiors/


Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Barthheart on June 06, 2018, 10:40:01 AM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:29:44 AM
This is the only picture I have of the room.

That's a great space.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bbmike on June 06, 2018, 11:07:50 AM
+1! Yeah, you wouldn't want mirth in there.  :P
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: DoctorQuest on June 06, 2018, 11:09:49 AM
He could just sleep on the table saw.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: mirth on June 06, 2018, 11:13:56 AM
It wouldn't be the worst place I've slept.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 11:22:27 AM
LOL.  That's not my stuff; that's the current owner's stuff.  I'm still in beautiful Rhode Island.   ::)

Barth, this is what my man cave/basement looks like in my current house.  The futon couch has to go into the new room as that's the guest bed; it folds out into a queen-size bed.  For now we're keeping the monster TV, although that might go once we get to our new house and figure everything out.  The bookcases are cheap Walmart pressboard crap, and while I'm taking them for now, one of the things I want to do badly is to get some nice, real bookcases so I can get all my books out of boxes and onto shelves.  I probably have two more full bookcases worth of books that are simply in boxes at this point.

The elliptical is gone.

The Obutto is a tough one.  I plan to take it, and perhaps keep it in the new room.  Ideally I'd like to move it into the garage because it pretty much clashes with everything.

The desk is gone and will be replaced.

So basically I have to keep the futon couch for now, the TV for now, and the rest is to be replaced.  I good reading chair, and matching desk and bookcases are budgeted for.  I'd really love to even set up a miniature library-themed room maybe...I'm just having trouble envisioning it.

We're going to be doing the rest of the house in a beach theme, which doesn't mean this room has to match the rest of the house, but it probably shouldn't clash too badly.

I guess now you see the scope of my problem; I have no idea what I really want.

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Sir Slash on June 06, 2018, 11:28:30 AM
Need an Interior Decorator? I'll send my wife right over.  O0
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 11:30:30 AM
To answer the rest of your questions: I can't remember if there are windows on the front of the room beyond what you see.  The door and windows you see open to the backyard, the door leads to the garage, through which you have to traverse to get to the house (or go around the backyard).

The house is mostly hardwood with some cream-colored area rugs.  I'm thinking to put hardwood down in the flex room, but I could go with carpet.  The ceiling throws me.  The interior of the house has wood beams on the ceiling that look awesome.  I like the idea of that wood ceiling in the new room, but I think a better option might be to just sheetrock it over.  Then what kind of lights?  Recessed?  Hanging?  Obviously the big shop lights have to go.  I'd prefer something optimized for an office/living room than for gaming. 

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 11:34:22 AM
I hate that futon couch, but it was really expensive, and I can't afford to replace it just now.  I'd love to get a murphy bed for the room, but that's just going to have to wait for the future.

Anyway, I'm not sure if this is of any use, but you see why I'm asking.  Again, I'm not even sure where to start.  This is the first time I've ever had the opportunity to actually finish a room in my way, and I'm at a loss.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Barthheart on June 06, 2018, 12:01:28 PM
Flooring: I'd definitely go with some kind of wood not carpeting. Yer in the tropics now and not worried about the cold. Even laminate flooring, which is easy to install and usually cheaper than real hardwood, would do you well. Get the thicker laminate as it lasts longer and looks nicer and has much less of a hallow sound to it. There are some great products out now that even look like real hardwood with fake groves between boards. Did my wife's office with that and it's hard to ell it's laminate unless you get up close.

Ceiling: That's a tough ceiling to work with. You don't want to add too much to it as you'll lose a lot of head room. Simple drywall, sheet rock to you, would be the best bet. Then you can put low voltage LED pot lights in. They take up very little space and won't over heat your space.

With a 20x13 space think of it a two 10 x 13 spaces in open concept. Divide the room with the couch/futon facing the TV on an end wall. Put your desk at a window and then run bookcases around the other end wall, the one with the door to the garage. In 10x 13 you can have a desk and chair and a separate reading chair with a dedicated reading light on a pole behind it. Ikea book cases are not expensive and sturdy. I've been using them for game a book storage for about 20-25years now.

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 12:11:14 PM
I like that idea of 2 10x13 rooms.  Ok, this is great, let me think on this some more and maybe we can sketch up some ideas.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Gusington on June 06, 2018, 12:52:26 PM
Whatever you do, make sure to get purple crushed velvet furniture and drapes.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: OJsDad on June 06, 2018, 01:25:12 PM
You cold do one hell if a large gaming table in there.

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: DoctorQuest on June 06, 2018, 01:28:28 PM
Or a full motion flight simulator.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Sir Slash on June 06, 2018, 02:57:47 PM
Or... you could put about a dozen Pugs in there.  :dreamer:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 03:20:48 PM
You guys make me laugh.

I'd put a gaming table in there, but I gave all my boardgames to Banzai Cat last winter.   ???

And no, we won't be doing anymore dogs.  I'll sleep on the purple velvet curtain idea, though.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 06, 2018, 03:25:29 PM
Dead hooker storage room? :-X
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: DoctorQuest on June 06, 2018, 03:26:54 PM
So you're putting a pin in the flight simulator idea, then?

Honestly, I'm not obsessing here.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 03:36:44 PM
If I flew as much as Jarhead I might consider it.  I'm currently struggling to justify keeping the Obutto.  I just don't fly flight sims anymore.  I'm not sure if it's a phase, or if I'm really done forever.

I've lost that lovin' feeling.    :-\
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 06, 2018, 03:46:07 PM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 03:36:44 PM
I just don't fly flight sims anymore.  I'm not sure if it's a phase, or if I'm really done forever.

I've lost that lovin' feeling.    :-\

Something in my heart just died.  :timeout:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: mirth on June 06, 2018, 03:52:12 PM
(https://i.imgflip.com/2bqv38.jpg)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: DoctorQuest on June 06, 2018, 04:50:38 PM
Sorry. Didn't mean to derail the thread.  O0
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 09:29:16 PM
You didn't.  First this is Grogheads and there's no such thing as "derailing" a thread.  Second, it doesn't appear there are as many Groghead interior designers as I had hoped...I guess I'll have to settle for our resident rocket scientist.   ::)

Good for you getting your PPL.  I got all those certifications after flight school, but I've got a whopping 1 hour total of civilian flight time.  It's very, very expensive, as you no doubt know, and I just don't love flying enough to pay to do it.  I very much respect people with the passion to do it the hard way, for sure.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bayonetbrant on June 06, 2018, 09:38:21 PM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 09:29:16 PM.I guess I'll have to settle for our resident rocket scientist.   ::)

He's our resident mad scientist.

Cap'n Darwin is the rocket scientist.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: DoctorQuest on June 06, 2018, 09:56:18 PM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 09:29:16 PM
You didn't.  First this is Grogheads and there's no such thing as "derailing" a thread.  Second, it doesn't appear there are as many Groghead interior designers as I had hoped...I guess I'll have to settle for our resident rocket scientist.   ::)

Good for you getting your PPL.  I got all those certifications after flight school, but I've got a whopping 1 hour total of civilian flight time.  It's very, very expensive, as you no doubt know, and I just don't love flying enough to pay to do it.  I very much respect people with the passion to do it the hard way, for sure.

Thanks. It's a bucket list thing with me and I really do love flying.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: em2nought on June 06, 2018, 10:05:14 PM
I wouldn't pay to move that TV.

I've always wanted this room, but there can be only one. lmao (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-kx2s2QorT6I%2FUWAj5eOiTII%2FAAAAAAAABFA%2FT1qi2l6RTMo%2Fs1600%2Fhobby.png&hash=ace5d4633882482dabe5e15afc5968bc35ad5d01)

There are some hacks out there for turning Ikea bookcases into really nice looking libraries.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: MetalDog on June 06, 2018, 10:07:23 PM
Quote from: em2nought on June 06, 2018, 10:05:14 PM
I wouldn't pay to move that TV.


I wouldn't either.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:43:34 PM
If you're a U.S. citizen, unfortunately you are paying to move the TV. 

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: em2nought on June 07, 2018, 12:15:53 AM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:43:34 PM
If you're a U.S. citizen, unfortunately you are paying to move the TV.

The tropics?  Costa Rica or some such?  I'm thinking of heading someplace with eternal spring such as Ecuador eventually.  :bd:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bayonetbrant on June 07, 2018, 05:22:31 AM
Quote from: em2nought on June 07, 2018, 12:15:53 AM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:43:34 PM
If you're a U.S. citizen, unfortunately you are paying to move the TV.

The tropics?  Costa Rica or some such?  I'm thinking of heading someplace with eternal spring such as Ecuador eventually.  :bd:

Toonces is referring to the fact that the US military pays to move its people when they're re-assigned, and that comes out of tax dollars
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 07, 2018, 06:04:46 AM
I don't understand why my dead hooker storage idea is being totally ignored and discounted. I mean, where else do you plan on putting them?
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Gusington on June 07, 2018, 06:44:33 AM
I keep mine in the freezer in the garage.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bbmike on June 07, 2018, 07:17:09 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 07, 2018, 05:22:31 AM
Quote from: em2nought on June 07, 2018, 12:15:53 AM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 10:43:34 PM
If you're a U.S. citizen, unfortunately you are paying to move the TV.

The tropics?  Costa Rica or some such?  I'm thinking of heading someplace with eternal spring such as Ecuador eventually.  :bd:

Toonces is referring to the fact that the US military pays to move its people when they're re-assigned, and that comes out of tax dollars

And government employees.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: em2nought on June 07, 2018, 07:25:09 AM
I'm paying, I get it now.  I'm fine with contributing toward shipping whatever fits in your duffel bag.  ;)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 07, 2018, 08:58:40 AM
So you're saying I need to stuff the bodies into my duffel bag?  Where will I put my underwear?  And watches?   ???
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Sir Slash on June 07, 2018, 08:59:44 AM
Dead Hookers should be recycled like plastics which they for the most part are. Still, good luck trying to get the Trash Men to come pick one up. They just leave them sitting outside until they start to draw dogs and cats. Which is strange because they also draw dogs and cats before their dead too. So it's hard to tell sometimes when they are dead. Which is strange because sometimes it's hard to tell when they're alive, before they're dead. IF... you know what I mean.

I used to know a Hooker that took credit cards. You DON'T want to know where you inserted them to be scanned.  :o
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: OJsDad on June 07, 2018, 12:04:26 PM
Quote from: Toonces on June 06, 2018, 11:22:27 AM
  I'm still in beautiful Rhode Island.   ::)

That's why it got cold again.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Gusington on June 07, 2018, 12:35:11 PM
Pfft...'underwear'
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: DoctorQuest on June 07, 2018, 04:30:59 PM
Quote from: Toonces on June 07, 2018, 08:58:40 AM
And watches?   ???

Dude.

Seriously.

You put your watches in one of these...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paneristipix.com%2F72CD2A21-2B85-4609-9D1A-5635F17F5996%2F00019448.jpg&hash=3cf2d5a003976e710643b8da85b4a49c757014f4)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 08, 2018, 02:36:29 PM
I haven't read the whole thread but Im probably the most able to help your space planning and design needs.
ffs, I only renovate houses for a living.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 08, 2018, 04:14:57 PM
just what the holy fuck is that abomination of a tv?
please say you're leaving that pos in RI.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D22437.0%3Battach%3D13010%3Bimage&hash=0d6817554679ce5f48e9666fc0d50812a428efa1)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bbmike on June 08, 2018, 04:16:19 PM
No bar?!?!?!?
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 08, 2018, 04:16:57 PM
gimmi a floor plan and I got you fam.
we'll design on a dime that bitch and make your wife think you know shit.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: mirth on June 08, 2018, 04:17:16 PM
Look who's catching up on the thread.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 08, 2018, 04:18:14 PM
Im thinking Bali bar/surf theme.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: mirth on June 08, 2018, 04:20:47 PM
Don't forget the Uggs.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 08, 2018, 04:21:40 PM
and whats the real world budget?
not "as cheap as possible", a real world budget.
with that size space you can have a man can you cant get kicked out of and a guest room.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on June 08, 2018, 04:22:53 PM
fuck, I think the best idea is to fly me out there for a month.   :arr:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bbmike on June 08, 2018, 04:31:31 PM
Don't do it! If you feed him he will never leave!
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: mirth on June 08, 2018, 04:43:52 PM
And never keep him up after midnight.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bob48 on June 08, 2018, 04:45:24 PM
....or get him wet.....
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: mirth on June 08, 2018, 04:46:43 PM
Quote from: bob48 on June 08, 2018, 04:45:24 PM
....or get him wet.....

We're gonna need a whole new thread for that conversation.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bayonetbrant on June 08, 2018, 04:50:01 PM
Quote from: mirth on June 08, 2018, 04:46:43 PM
Quote from: bob48 on June 08, 2018, 04:45:24 PM
....or get him wet.....

We're gonna need a whole new thread for that conversation.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frealfunny.net%2Fuploads%2Fdunk_tank_and_gremlin._there_is_no_winner._408620466.jpg&hash=d4da4a766ace574deab09d6c8ac944cf570f7720)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: em2nought on June 11, 2018, 12:05:34 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on June 08, 2018, 04:50:01 PM
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frealfunny.net%2Fuploads%2Fdunk_tank_and_gremlin._there_is_no_winner._408620466.jpg&hash=d4da4a766ace574deab09d6c8ac944cf570f7720)
LMAO

This guy "might" be looking for a "job"
(https://cdn2.uvnimg.com/dims4/default/0a24d5a/2147483647/thumbnail/1024x576%3E/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.uvnimg.com%2F5c%2F93%2F462655e94fb38ffeba09af1f22a7%2Fmichael-rotondo.png)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on February 03, 2019, 12:45:45 PM
Necro-bump.

Well, here it is early Feb 2019 and the room is still in its incomplete, unrenovated state.  I did have a contractor come out, but the estimate was ridiculous, well, well over $10k.  This, and some second thoughts about whether the house is a "forever home" or even somewhere where we'll stay long enough to make extensive renovations cost-effective, has completely stalled my thinking on what to do.

I had decided to try to do the work myself.  I watched some videos on installing drywall, and it looks time-consuming but not that hard.  But then...there's this door that leads outside on the front side of the room that I want to remove...and so every time I am about ready to start I am overwhelmed by figuring out how to start.

So...all of that is to say that I am going to go cheap.  Right now I can't use the room properly for anything and I've had enough.  The plan is to paint the walls and ceiling, and install some laminate flooring.  I had an electrician come out about two months ago and take all the shop lights out, so right now there are no lights on the ceiling.  I'm not going to let this slow me down.

We're going to go with a gray wood on the floor, dark blue on the walls, and a mocha on the ceiling.  I am probably going to clean up the beams and re-paint them a nice dark brown. 

I don't know what the final result is going to look like, but almost anything is going to be an improvement on the way it looks right now.  I've gotta get this thing done so I can get my stuff out of the boxes in the garage and into their permanent homes....for now at least.

BTW, I gave the TV to the movers.  LOL.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: airboy on February 03, 2019, 10:39:56 PM
One of my buddies had a similar TV.  It had a good picture.  Was heavy as hell - but it was paid for and had a good picture you could see standing quite far away.

If you bought one today for much money, I would understand the scorn.  But that type of TV held up pretty well as long as you did not need the space or have to move it.

We had a big screen plasma TV that you could heat a large room with.  Technology passed it by and we eventually got rid of the super heavy, hot monster and replaced it with a flat screen.  But it had a very good picture and was paid for.  Mirth would have been better served with the heat generation than I was in Alabama.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on February 03, 2019, 11:01:31 PM
I bought that TV in 2005; I think it was one of the very last TV's of that type before they got super-thin and super-affordable.

It had a good run.  And, if I had a bit space like that room in RI I would have kept it.  It worked just fine, and playing Madden on it on Xbox was awesome.

But...I hardly watch any TV, and there's not even a hook-up in the new room, and...well, TV's are so affordable now that if I need a TV in the future I'd prefer to just spend the money and get a nice modern flat screen TV.  Now that I'm in the room design phase, I'm glad I don't have to deal with getting rid of it.  It took some convincing to get the movers to take it...for free.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bbmike on February 04, 2019, 06:28:28 AM
Installing drywall isn't too hard but getting the tape and mud sanded and looking good is. I've done it many years and still hate doing it.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Barthheart on February 04, 2019, 11:30:16 AM
Quote from: bbmike on February 04, 2019, 06:28:28 AM
Installing drywall isn't too hard but getting the tape and mud sanded and looking good is. I've done it many years and still hate doing it.

This x 100....  :pullhair:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on February 12, 2019, 12:25:11 AM
pfffft    its easy mode.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Moreb on March 03, 2019, 11:50:46 AM
I would stay away from laminate. It is just pressed particle boards and very susceptible to moisture. Currently the trade is moving away from it and towards pvc based floating floors such as Cortex and other cheaper brands. Cortex comes with a cork bottom on several of their products therefore it cannot mold or accept water. You can lay right over your subfloor. The only problem with ANY floating floors, either laminate or otherwise, is that repairing a damaged 'board' can be tedious. If it were me and I was an amateur I would consider a direct glue down vinyl plank. Cheap, easy to install, many colors and very easy to repair. They are put down with a pressure sensitive glue and to repair the amateur can heat the plank up with a hair dryer, pull up the old and the glue will remain tacky to install the new plank.

Of course you would need an underlayment at $10 to $12 dollars an 4X8 sheet and all the seams need to be patched and sanded back down but that is easy. The best way to install it is with a 1/4 inch crown staple but you could ringshank it and patch the nail heads also.

Is the floor over sleepers? Or is there a basement under the space?
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on March 03, 2019, 12:18:38 PM
Thanks Moreb.

I already bought the flooring and it's acclimating in the room.  I went with the click vinyl flooring from Home Depot.  It can go right over top of the existing flooring and it sounds pretty straight-forward to install.  The little placard on it says it's waterproof or resistant.

The flooring underneath is plywood laid upon a concrete slab foundation; no basement.

I actually started painting the room two weeks ago.  My color scheme and flooring changed yet again.  I went with a darker wood color on the floor, gray walls with a dark blue accent wall, and creme white (painter's white is the formal name) for the ceiling.  I'm not entirely pleased with it, but it looks hella better than it did.

I think, once it's all finished and some new furniture is installed, pictures on the wall, etc, etc. it will look acceptable, even if not exactly what I had in mind when I bought the house.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Moreb on March 03, 2019, 12:43:10 PM
You should be good with that. Get a tapping block, a heavy 8 inch long piece of 2x4 works well and make sure the product is up at around a 45 degree angle and tap it gently until it is tight with the board that is down before lowering it. DO NOT TRY TO BRING TOGETHER IF FLAT.  I assume this floor has a tongue and groove system. No matter what the box says, the tongue should be forward. Use a speed square and utility knife and score and snap all end cuts. You should leave a small expansion at the walls. For the end walls and any cuts use a pry bar to bring it in first. If you need to pry with any force, set a piece up against the wall on edge so you dont damage the walls. You can score and snap rips also but I'd use a jig saw with a fine metal blade for any cuts that are not straight.

For best effect, do not try to line up the boards in a pattern yet give at least 6 inches between the two for separation. I always use various length starters to break up the 'stair step' look because those floors have only 1 sized board.

Here are your starter boards:
_______________
____________
_____
_________
__
_____________
___
*********************************************

I would stay away from doing this;

_______________
____________
_________
_____
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_
After the first 6 or 7 rows, your end cuts will provide the starters so waste is at a minimum. You can expect around 3% waste for that type of flooring. If you have any questions contact me. I am a flooring installer of 31 years.

Also, don't worry about staying straight from the beginning. I would snap a chalk line say about 30 inches off the wall, put together about 4 rows or so and then straighten out to the line by measuring off the tongue. Starting is the worst part and youll drive yourself crazy trying to keep is straight with just a row down so dont worry about it. If you want a good cut on any rips, take a scrap, cut off the tongue, place the board exactly on top of and in place of the one that is down, put the scrap against the wall and then just mark it. For all the end cuts, set the board in backwards and mark it with the one installed. I hope that makes sense. Youll get a perfect cut.

EDIT: Also youll want to get the ends in first on the plank if they also have a tongue and groove. You do this by going in at an angle too. Again, the tongue should be facing the next ones to be laid.  Get the end tight, lift up the plank and tap it in from the front. Some are drop and lock and will not have the smaller tongue at the groove on the end. Those you just butt, angle the board in like normal and then tap the end seam down with a mallet.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on March 03, 2019, 06:00:44 PM
^ Good stuff, thanks for checking in!  It's nice knowing a pro is hanging around.  I'll be sure to post up questions once I get started, I'm sure I'll have some.

I've got some travel coming up, so I won't be able to get to this until early April unfortunately.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: bbmike on March 03, 2019, 06:36:24 PM
When you get to stocking the bar I'll chime in.  :-"
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on March 03, 2019, 09:49:27 PM
^ Ummm, there's a bottle of Jim Beam in here at all times.  Floor might be plywood, furniture covered in plastic, but there will always be room for some bourbon.    ^-^
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 27, 2019, 10:34:39 AM
'sup fellow Grogs.

I wanted to give you all some closure on this project.  It was funny reading the whole thread again from the beginning.  I had a mini-heart attack when I read the post by Moreb that said not to use vinyl plank flooring since that's what I ended up using.

I took the last two weeks off and unfortunately spent most of it working on that damn room (along with a number of other house projects).  Last night I essentially finished the room...call it an 85% solution.  I still have some small things to do like replace two of the ceiling beams and finish the ceiling lighting. 

We went with a dark gray laminate vinyl floor, light gray walls, and a white ceiling.  One wall has a green/blue color.  On Tuesday we went to Ikea.  I intended to get their cheap pressboard bookcases (the 'Billy') but seeing it in person again we ended up paying more and getting the wood/pine bookcases (the 'Hemnes').  Now that they're in the room I'm very, very happy I paid the premium to get the real wood.  They look pretty good.

The really unfortunate part is that I got to the very end of the floor and I was exactly 1.5 planks short of finishing the entire floor!  I can't believe I didn't order an extra box of flooring just in case.  So I had to order another box and it should be here next week or maybe this weekend.  The upshot is that I can't put books into two of the bookcases because the floor isn't done!   >:(  I filled the rest of them though and, again, it looks acceptable.

Installing the flooring just sucked.  There is no way around it, and Moreb you have my respect because that was a physically painful and mentally frustrating project.  But, I don't know how, but it came out ok for someone who's never done it.  There was a bit of a learning curve LOL.

I'll get some pics later so you guys can see the end result.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Gusington on June 27, 2019, 11:47:39 AM
Well done, Commander. Pics!!
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Sir Slash on June 27, 2019, 02:00:24 PM
And, Bourbon all around!  :bd:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 24, 2020, 09:24:29 PM
LOL, I'm bumping my own thread from almost exactly a year ago.

So I'm way overdue to post up some pictures.  Today I finally did some badly needed re-arranging of the room, including moving the Obutto cockpit to a new location to see if I could make it work.

I couldn't. 

So with a heavy heart, I broke it down and stored it away for eventual sale on Craigslist.  Built the final bookcase.  My wife picked up some coverings for the futon couch and some accent pillows so the couch will match the rest of the room.  Right now it just has some comforter with flowers we had laying around.

Once I get the futon made up and the books sorted onto the new bookcase, I'll snap some pics so you can see how it all turned out.  With the Obutto gone, I now have room for a reading chair and an aquarium.  That's in the future though.  For now, enough is enough. 

I think you guys will like what I did with it.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 26, 2020, 08:32:00 PM
Ok, this took forever, but here are the pictures.  The office still isn't finished, but we're on the way.

So you don't have to go to the first post in the thread, here's a recap.

This is what the office looked like in the real estate listing with the owner's gear in it.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=22437.0;attach=13008;image)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 26, 2020, 08:42:21 PM
Here's what the room looked like when I moved in and put up the original post.  You can notice the shop lights still on the ceiling and the electrical boxes sticking up out of the floor for the old shop equipment.

(https://i.imgur.com/HGilRaJl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/FEYHcdpl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/80SRtajl.jpg)

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 26, 2020, 09:33:18 PM
This is what it looked like while I was finally starting to renovate the room.  Basically I had taken a carpet the previous owner left behind and put it over a good portion of the plywood floor, and then sort of covered the electrical boxes with the futon couch and desk and such.  Over Christmas the room flooded which ruined the carpet and inspired me to put up the OP and get on with fixing the room up.  You can see the Obutto and couch, and the old crappy bookcases under the plastic covering.

I originally painted the accent wall this "London blue" but it came out looking like blue jeans/Barney purple and looked like absolute shit.  Not like the swatch we took to Sherwin Williams.  So, sadly and with an angry heart, I had to start over with a new color you'll see in the final version, which I like much, much better.

(https://i.imgur.com/EpJPE3sl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/CDu7aacl.jpg)

Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 26, 2020, 09:40:17 PM
And here's the final version as of today.  I'll post up some close-ups of my books in the library thread.

The flooring is the vinyl plank flooring from Home Depot.  My wife picked it out; it's different than what we originally intended to go with and I couldn't be happier with it.  You'll notice the part by the door isn't finished because I don't have the tools to cut the planks properly and I also don't know how to finish it.  It's on the to-do list.

The bookcases are from Ikea, the Hemnes wood ones.  They're pretty nice for the cost.  I had needed one more to get all my books up into the cases and bought the wrong color a few days before Covid shut everything down.  Finally a couple of weeks ago I was able to go back to Ikea and exchange it for the right color.  I built it last weekend and spent the last few days organizing my books by subject.  I'm really pleased with the result.  There are some empty shelves now because I have more bookcase room, and I pulled the boardgames I had stashed in the bookcases out.

I got new sheets for the couch and moved it to where the Obutto was sitting.  The Obutto is broken down in the garage now pending sale or something.

The blue wall is where my big desk was.  Now that the Obutto is gone I moved the desk to where it is now and I have that whole part of the room to use.  I'm thinking of putting an aquarium and maybe an Eames style chair facing it.  That's in the pending pile.

So anyway, thanks for all the help, fellas.  It was a much longer journey than I expected, but now that we're planning on staying in this house indefinitely I figured it was time to settle down.

(https://i.imgur.com/gCoakjdl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/V60VqFkl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/m3DhLWml.jpg)
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 26, 2020, 09:47:33 PM
Oh, and also, I never did get around to putting in new beams where the shop lights were.  I have the wood in the garage, but I have to break out the paint and paint them before I put them up and I don't know when I'll get around to that.  I also need to put in some lighting.  The electrician left me a junction box that used to run to the shop lights.  I don't really know how to do electrical work, but it can't be that hard to run some wires to some lights.  Once I decide on something I'll also put some lights in and be able to get rid of the standing lamp.

Like I said, this is a bit of a work in progress.  This house has needed a lot of work, and I'm not the handiest of Grogheads.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Martok on June 27, 2020, 07:09:58 PM
That looks like a pretty nice setup, Toonces.  Heck, your bookshelves alone make me a little jealous.  :) 
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on June 27, 2020, 08:03:54 PM
I quite literally got rid of half of my books before I moved out here.  What a bummer.  I keep looking for books and thinking, "no way, did I really get rid of that book?"  It sucks. 

Once I get settled into my civilian job, and it seems like it's all working out, I'm going to get rid of all the textbooks I've been hauling around all these years.  I just want to make sure I'm not teaching undergrad oceanography or meteorology before I unload them; I'd hate to have to acquire all of them again LOL.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Gusington on June 27, 2020, 08:09:58 PM
Great job breh.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: wajayme on November 05, 2021, 01:55:25 AM
I love your little library! Your office looks fantastic, I adore the fact that you bought a bed as well, haha. The office is always our second home whether we want it or not. I want to do something similar, but in my garden :)  I've seen a couple of things I could buy on [REDACTED] that would make my garden look better. I'm also getting a lot of inspiration from your post, even though it's an office! My garden has a little covered space, so that's where I spent my time reading or working. I have a remote job, therefore this is absolute heaven for me, working outside in nature.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Sir Slash on November 05, 2021, 10:32:51 AM
Very nice job Toonces. Clearly there's talent on display here. I think it's good not to rush a job like that. Think it through and give yourself time to consider alternate options. Very impressive.  :clap:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: zebon on November 11, 2021, 06:55:18 AM
Very impressive did Toonces! Especially I liked your book Shelf you keep it in the right place


Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Toonces on November 12, 2021, 04:10:42 PM
Thanks for the kind comments fellas! 
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: kristonber on November 22, 2021, 05:26:53 AM
This looks amazing, in a weird way. I mean, it's not on my taste, to be honest. I could only stay there for a month, but not more. I feel like the atmosphere would depress me. My dream is to own a house on the beach :) I want to wake up in the morning and watch the ocean as the sun rises. I'd love to live in houses like these here: [REDACTED]. The gothic isn't my favorite style. I do love the library, though, as I'm a big reader, and I would finally have some space for my books, hahah.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on November 23, 2021, 01:16:14 PM
Quote from: kristonber on November 22, 2021, 05:26:53 AM
I could only stay there for a month, but not more. I feel like the atmosphere would depress me.

:DD :2funny:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: vezasd on April 12, 2022, 02:51:23 AM
I can advise you to renovate in a modern style and add some classic details. Paint the walls in cold colors.
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: al_infierno on April 12, 2022, 03:12:24 AM
Do cold colors keep the spam nice and cold?   ^-^
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: angywall on May 05, 2022, 11:53:42 AM
 :uglystupid2:
Title: Re: Is there an interior designer in the house?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on May 05, 2022, 01:12:32 PM
This thread attracts spammers like flies on $hit.