The client’s pain points

Our clients had a media room that the father and sons tended to use to watch sports. But the room was tired, the technology was below par, and the experience far from satisfactory.

“Where’s the remote?” was a frequent cry. There were separate handheld remote controls for the projector, amplifier and video sources. Typically, they were always hunting for the one they needed at any given time.

The screen quality of the projector lacked precision. The speakers looked unattractive and weren’t great quality. Overall, the viewing experience for the family was disappointing and clunky.

The client’s dream

They wanted a well-designed room that truly worked for them. They longed to enjoy movies and sports matches together as a family, and to invite friends to join them. They wanted convenient, user-friendly technology that delivered high quality sound and visuals. And they didn’t want to hunt around for the right remote control in order to operate it.

A modern, dimly lit bar shelf with glassware, metallic decorative objects, and a rectangular planter on the top shelf is illuminated by soft under-shelf lighting—an ideal complement to a home cinema installation in Walton-on-Thames. A sink and cupboard sit below.

Our solutions

We worked with designer, Fiona Brass, to create a sleek, sophisticated media room. Over the course of two weeks, minor building work was undertaken along with complete redecoration and our home automation installation project.

To unify the technology, we installed a Control4 automation system. Goodbye multiple remote controls! Instead, all of the AV equipment, lighting and temperature could be controlled from a single remote or mobile app.

For top notch sound quality, we installed Paradigm Pro Series speakers. At ear level, on the front audio stage, speakers were hidden behind an acoustically transparent screen. For surround and rear sound, Paradigm Pro speakers were installed in optimal positions within the ceiling. They were angled strategically to direct audio to the primary listening positions.

The interior design of the room comprised exquisite wall and ceiling panels. The black fabric detail on the ceiling cleverly screened the speakers from view.

The old projector was replaced with a Sony Laser 4k model which produces a sharper, clearer, more precise picture than the previous blurry one. For added convenience and versatility, we installed a local PC input so the screen can be used for video calls and presentations too.

A complete turnkey solution

After a complete strip-out and renovation, we created a new luxurious cinema and bar area with bespoke joinery and high-end fixtures and finishings. This complete turnkey solution incorporated: