Playroom Transforms into Dedicated Theater
By Lisa Montgomery
Home theater marks the end of a family room’s evolution.

A 50-inch TV suited the owners of this drastically renovated space just fine for several years. “The kids used it to play video games with their friends,” reports custom electronics (CE) professional John Vandruff of Vancouver, Wash.-based Electronic Essentials. The room also sported bean bag chairs and beige walls.

But kids eventually grow up, and so do their entertainment tastes. The gaming rec room that once kept the teenagers of the house occupied for hours now went empty and unused most of the time. “The family was no longer going here to watch TV or movies,” says Vandruff.



That’s when they knew it was time for an update—one that would involve a complete overhaul of the room. Nothing would go untouched. The structure, the wiring, the audio/video equipment—it would all be updated to support a high-caliber home theater system.

The finished space is a dramatic departure from old room, both in its entertainment prowess and its design. There’s a 115-inch CinemaScope screen, a Runco projector and an Integra 9.1 surround-sound system with built-in RBH speakers.

The seating layout is completely different, as is the color scheme and decor. From top to bottom, the room underwent a major structural and technological renovation. It had to, says Vandruff, given the family’s request that it provide a true theater experience.

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