Raise A Glass!

I pulled out my old Apollo mission commemorative drinking glasses that I collected as a kid and had saved all these years. The glasses were a premium at Marathon gas stations back when the attendant pumped your gas, checked your oil and washed your windows! There are four seperate designs, each one featuring a different mission - Apollo 11 Apollo 12, Apollo 13 and Apollo 14. I also have the decanter, some smaller tumblers and a unique 'Moonshot' glass that doubles as a shot glass when you flip it over! The glasses will make a great addition to the new lounge area as well as a fun conversation piece for those who remember them.

Contact Light - The Bar Has Landed!

I am finally to a point where the bar/lounge area can be considered just about done. A few minor tweaks remain but nothing of note. The epoxy is poured, the custom countertop has been assembled and mounted and the LED effects have been installed. Also installed are a unique glass faucet and vessel sink which visitors cannot resist trying when they first walk in! The 'glowing coasters' are huge hit as your drink can be blue one second and red the next! You and a buddy can engage in some friendly competition on the nearby Chexx Hockey or just kick back on a stool and listen to the game sounds drifting in from the arcade.

Landing Pad

After pricing out various options for a countertop, all of which were extremely expensive, I decided to make my own. I acquired a used table from Craigslist and modified to fit the area. I plan to epoxy the surface just like my stools but in a satin finish so the 45 degree seam can be pieced together without it being visible. The countertop will have custom LED lighting as well! Buying something already sealed and with a routed edge gave me a head start. Plus, who needs a Corian countertop in the basement? More to follow!

Final Descent

I finally had a chance to resume work on the lounge area. Stainless steel cabinets have been installed and the NASA phone has found a home. Further updates will include custom countertops, a bar sink, a small bar area and special LED lighting features.

Floored

The floor installation is complete! I selected a pattern similar to "diamond plate" in order to give the room an industrial look. The dark color will also hide dust and dirt and make cleaning a snap! Since most bars have a TV and/or arcades games, I hung a 25" flat screen TV in the corner and added a Chexx hockey.

Sand The Floor

I received the tile and it is ready to be installed but first I had to sand the floor. Over the years the floor had been painted several times. I didn't want to strip the paint chemically so I rented a square buff sander. They sure made some tough paint in the past as I went through four sheets of 20 grit paper! Once I finished sanding, the floor was washed with TSP - a commercial heavy duty cleaner/degreaser. I will let the floor dry a few days before I start to lay the tile.

Look Up!

I installed the ceiling this past week. I used the same ceiling as I did in the other two rooms in order to give everything a uniform look. The ceiling took just a few hours to complete. I remembered all the time savers from the earlier ceiling installations and they proved to be a big help. I ordered the floor and hope to receive it next week!

Trimmed

I have completed the chair rail molding as well as the trim around the doorway, closet and electrical panel. All nails have been patched and painted over. The ceiling will be installed next.

Paintin' The Blues

Two coats of paint have been applied and the room is starting to take shape. I used the same color blue that was used in the other two rooms. The addition of chair rail molding along with trim work around the doorways and electrical panel is next.

Primed And Ready

Ready for paint that is! The mud and tape has been completed. The walls were sanded to make everything smooth and then the primer was applied. The next step is to get some color on the walls.

Drywall

I finished the wiring and put up the drywall. I am doing 1/2 sheets due to the difficulty of carrying a full sheet of drywall down my tight stairway. I'll cover the seam with chair rail molding just like in the other rooms. Mud and tape is next then on to the primer!

We've Been Framed!

Well not really but the walls have been! All the studs are up and the insulation is in place on the exterior wall. Some of the wiring has also been installed. Once the wiring is complete, the drywall will be put up next.

Pardon Our Dust!

The former downstairs laundry room is no longer needed which opens up this small but interesting space to Tranquility Base Arcade. We are pleased to announce that ground has been broken for the new lounge! Plans are to have a wet bar, Chexx "Bubble" Hockey game, flat screen TV as well as some top secret LED lighting effects. Demolition is complete, wiring is in place and we are in the process of framing and drywall. Please stay tuned as the transformation continues!