Secret Retro 70’s Lounge
So... I had this room off the main basement movie room. Wasn't sure what to do with it. Then I found someone giving away an old color console TV nearby... and I got inspired to create a retro 70's living room/lounge. Seemed like a good way to display and enjoy some of my vintage audiophile stuff... especially if I could get it all to work somehow.
Great Craigslist deal on these Bowers & Wilkins speakers... but they didn't fit the look that I was wanting...
...so I built these...
...stained them...
And put them over the top. Perfect.
Then tested to make sure the video was mirroring properly. I was really happy when it actually worked!
Next was maple finished plywood on the walls, along with wiring the lights, electrical, and all of the audio/video components.
Vinyl ceiling panels--super easy to work with, they cut with scissors and just glue up!
Staining the walls a perfect avocado green (I mean, it's a 70's lounge), getting the recessed lighting installed, and prepping the ceiling to install the panels.
Ceiling panels almost done... super easy, and they look fantastic!
Installing the floor--easy to work with vinyl plank, took me about three hours is all.
Added a groovy shag rug and some 70's style art.
Then it was time to build the wet bar--a super important part of the project, let's be honest!
added the shelves...
Primed and painted by my beautiful and talented wife.
Added LED lighting strips, a faucet, and some fancy-pants brass bar rails I found online.
Cut a hole in the wall, basically the same size as the bar (just ever-so-slightly bigger).
And boom! Bar is in. :)
McIntosh MC-2505 Power Amp, built in 1974.
McIntosh C-28 Pre-amp, also built in 1974.
Pro-Ject VT-E vertical turntable... I painted it the exact same orange as my Dad's front door used to be. Despite appearances, this is not a “gimmicky” turntable--it’s actually very well regarded and puts out incredible sound!
Akai reel-to-reel, still works like a charm… I’ve recorded hours of Jazz on this, and often I will just let it play.
The new Atari gaming system... we can access and play any Atari games from the 2600 on. Super fun playing "Adventure" on the old TV!
Just a fun robot sculpture that I bought at an art show in Boulder… I love the orange, and in my opinion he’s got some personality to him! :)
Don't sit so close! You'll ruin your eyesight! lol
The finished room--we love it!
View from the other side.
And watching TV like when I was a kid... and sharing that with my daughter Lily. Just awesome. :)
HERE ARE SOME VIDEOS!