Innovations, furnishings can turn any room into movie theater

"Why should people pay good money to go out and see bad movies when they can stay home and see bad television for free?" Samuel Goldwyn (1874-1974), Academy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning producer, and also a well-known Hollywood motion picture producer and founding contributor of several motion picture studios.

Do you still go to the movies? I'm guessing the answer for most people is, yes, of course. However, given the innovations in home theater, it's hard to imagine why you would. There is the $8 or $9 popcorn, though, and the commercials. Maybe you would miss those.

While having your very own home theater costs way more than going out to the movies occasionally, folks who have one say they don't know how they lived without it. And, there are many levels of home theater. For instance, the home theater in the recent American Society of Interior Designer's Showcase house was totally over the top. It has theater seating for 21. Do you know 21 people you would like to have over for a movie? And don't forget, you'll be expected to provide the popcorn.

Rick Rood of R2 West (www.R2west.com) was the innovator of this very special home theater room.

"The theater at The Falls residence seats 15 people in motorized Cineak custom recliners and an additional six at the granite bar at the rear of the theater. The décor was designed by R2W; panels are made of acoustic fiberglass and wrapped with designer materials and the mill work was done by Davis Custom Woodworks in Brazilian cherry," Rood said.

"The electronics in the theater are products from several manufacturers. The main one is California Audio Technology. They produced the three main drivers, four 15-inch delivery subwoofers, six 12-inch balancing subwoofers and the six surround channel drivers. They also provided the 21 discreet channels of amplification and the DSP processing to control all of the amplifier channels. All of the speakers, crossovers and enclosures were designed specifically for this room."

Wow, unfortunately I'm not equipment savvy, but for those of you who are, this would be your dream.

This is not in the budget for most of us, but not to worry -- you have options. Even if you don't have an extra room especially for a home theater, you can create a theater space in your family room or den. And you don't have to have room for 20 people -- just a comfortable place for you and your family to watch movies or your favorite TV programs. All you need is somewhere to sit and a place to put the TV -- whatever size it is.

Aspenhome (www.aspenhome.net), a long time favorite of mine, has several wonderful options for TV places, best described as entertainment consoles. The consoles offer features such as iPod docking stations, pull-out component shelves, gaming drawers and glass component doors for easy remove control access. Sounds better than a movie theater, huh?

And, if sitting on your sofa or on the floor is not exactly what you had in mind, there also are many options for theater seating. Aspenhome has some in its line, and another option is SolaraHome (www.solarahome.com). The chairs can be purchased separately or as a group -- it just depends on how much space you have. You can spoil yourself with the beautiful leather or microfiber upholstery, fold down armrests, power recliners, cup holders, hidden storage for DVDs and other small items, and receptacles for remotes. You will be spoiled for sure.

These are just a few examples of products available. If a home theater is in your future, do your homework, and find what works best for your space and budget. There is a lot to choose from.

Carolyn Muse Grant is the founding president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home section of the Review-Journal. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.