It all began with these:
Bits and pieces from a salvage yard that upon finding them I knew immediately I wanted to make a theater, I knew that moment how the parts would figure in the design.
So with the old parts we gathered the wood to create it, birch pieces like they are laying on in the photo. I drew out the design and figured what size I wanted and sat down with BohoMan to go over the plans I had.
He began by extending the stage from the front piece (the bigger salvage piece on the left) and then built a box around it. I needed to somehow get in the back in order to add scenery or place items so I asked him to attach a piano hinge on the back piece so it could be opened and closed.
This is with the back open and it stays shut with a cabinet magnetic latch.
I also painted the birch stage extension to exactly match the old vintage piece therefore extending the stage and your eye as you looked at it.
After the box was built (including a top) I then designed the sort of triangular pieces to attach to the front that would sit behind the pillars AND have a place for curtains.
By this time it was looking ok but one thing I wanted to do was to be able to light the interior somehow. After a trip to Michaels I came home with a set of fairy lights, 50 on the strand. I sat with the lights trying to figure out if we could somehow attach them with staples...sort of winding them around the ceiling. That wasn't going to work. Finally, one evening I asked BohoMan......
"what if" and my voice trailed off .....I just knew he'd think I'd lost my mind.
"There are 50 lights on the strand, what if you drilled 50 holes in the top and we fit each fairy light in a hole?" I paused for reaction.
He hesitated only a moment and I swear he got right to work, He carefully, even using a micrometer, maped out the 50 spots in a perfect grid. Once this was accomplished 2 trips to the hardware store ensued due to lack of proper bit size. (and he has TONS so it shocked both of us). He finally set about drilling the holes when he realized the light birchwood was splitting....who cares I told him, The holes are working and it's up underneath.
So later that evening he came inside carrying the now wired stage and we plugged it in for a quick test.
VOILA!
OK, so my brain didn't stop there.
Now all the wires were showing from the fairy light strand on top and I couldn't have that.
I asked him if he could build a top on top of that, and I wanted the front piece higher with a window cut out. My mind was whirling with a story. So again my wing man set about making the attic and we didn't permanently attach it so we could easily get to the wires or a burned out bulb. It actually just rests on top and that slanted roof lifts off as well. I wanted that so it appeared as a celing through the attic window.
I began painting, changed colors a couple of times. I didn't want the paint job perfect as it was supposed to be an old theater. I found bits and bobs to embellish the front of the attic so as to have that WhimBoho look and feeling. (The glittered crown got captured by the sun and I know it's hard to see it) All the various pieces I used were either recycled, purchased at Michaels or I already had it.
I also added plastic (from packaging) over the attic window where Sylvia stares from.
On the sides I wanted a place to change out posters for coming plays and attractions. Eventually I may actually draw them myself but for now I used old posters I found on line. The top of side displays are just pieces of already cut balsa, the frames are metal that I took the back off and glued a wood piece behind the bottom.....this gives a gap to slide the posters in and out.
Of course the comedy/tragedy masks are a symbol of the theater.
The original turned pieces (probably from a chair leg) were too short so I added a square block under each one and wood ball on the top. This gave ithem height and more dimension.
When it was finally all painted and put together the last thing I did was add a light for a Halloween pumpkin in the attic. I can plug that in separately to illuminate Sylvia more at night,
The whole theater is sitting on a large board for now. It's a heavy piece and I know I may tweek a few things over time. Those dark turquoise blocks are already too plain for me. ha! AND there is no place that says the theaters name.....duh!
This was a true collaborative effort and what a joy to be able to think of things and have someone say "OK, no problem".
In case you're wondering.....the size of the theater is as follows:
Front to back = 16"
side to side = 14"
Bottom to tip of the crown = 266 3/4"
Stage depth front to back = 15 1/4"
Stage width side to side = 13"
Now that it's done I kind if wish we'd made it even BIGGER.......(are you laughing?)
The item behind these photos is the headboard of my youth bed. Another day I will make a proper scene.
"UH, BohoMan, do you think we could make the gypsy wagon now?"
TOO LATE
he went running out the front door....covering his ears.
"But honey............."
Stay tuned!
I hope you all have a most spectacular weekend!
If my niece Samantha happens to read this blog........Happy Birthday!!
Love,
Lisa
XOXOXO
Bits and pieces from a salvage yard that upon finding them I knew immediately I wanted to make a theater, I knew that moment how the parts would figure in the design.
So with the old parts we gathered the wood to create it, birch pieces like they are laying on in the photo. I drew out the design and figured what size I wanted and sat down with BohoMan to go over the plans I had.
He began by extending the stage from the front piece (the bigger salvage piece on the left) and then built a box around it. I needed to somehow get in the back in order to add scenery or place items so I asked him to attach a piano hinge on the back piece so it could be opened and closed.
This is with the back open and it stays shut with a cabinet magnetic latch.
I also painted the birch stage extension to exactly match the old vintage piece therefore extending the stage and your eye as you looked at it.
After the box was built (including a top) I then designed the sort of triangular pieces to attach to the front that would sit behind the pillars AND have a place for curtains.
By this time it was looking ok but one thing I wanted to do was to be able to light the interior somehow. After a trip to Michaels I came home with a set of fairy lights, 50 on the strand. I sat with the lights trying to figure out if we could somehow attach them with staples...sort of winding them around the ceiling. That wasn't going to work. Finally, one evening I asked BohoMan......
"what if" and my voice trailed off .....I just knew he'd think I'd lost my mind.
"There are 50 lights on the strand, what if you drilled 50 holes in the top and we fit each fairy light in a hole?" I paused for reaction.
He hesitated only a moment and I swear he got right to work, He carefully, even using a micrometer, maped out the 50 spots in a perfect grid. Once this was accomplished 2 trips to the hardware store ensued due to lack of proper bit size. (and he has TONS so it shocked both of us). He finally set about drilling the holes when he realized the light birchwood was splitting....who cares I told him, The holes are working and it's up underneath.
So later that evening he came inside carrying the now wired stage and we plugged it in for a quick test.
VOILA!
OK, so my brain didn't stop there.
Now all the wires were showing from the fairy light strand on top and I couldn't have that.
I asked him if he could build a top on top of that, and I wanted the front piece higher with a window cut out. My mind was whirling with a story. So again my wing man set about making the attic and we didn't permanently attach it so we could easily get to the wires or a burned out bulb. It actually just rests on top and that slanted roof lifts off as well. I wanted that so it appeared as a celing through the attic window.
I began painting, changed colors a couple of times. I didn't want the paint job perfect as it was supposed to be an old theater. I found bits and bobs to embellish the front of the attic so as to have that WhimBoho look and feeling. (The glittered crown got captured by the sun and I know it's hard to see it) All the various pieces I used were either recycled, purchased at Michaels or I already had it.
I also added plastic (from packaging) over the attic window where Sylvia stares from.
On the sides I wanted a place to change out posters for coming plays and attractions. Eventually I may actually draw them myself but for now I used old posters I found on line. The top of side displays are just pieces of already cut balsa, the frames are metal that I took the back off and glued a wood piece behind the bottom.....this gives a gap to slide the posters in and out.
Of course the comedy/tragedy masks are a symbol of the theater.
The original turned pieces (probably from a chair leg) were too short so I added a square block under each one and wood ball on the top. This gave ithem height and more dimension.
When it was finally all painted and put together the last thing I did was add a light for a Halloween pumpkin in the attic. I can plug that in separately to illuminate Sylvia more at night,
The whole theater is sitting on a large board for now. It's a heavy piece and I know I may tweek a few things over time. Those dark turquoise blocks are already too plain for me. ha! AND there is no place that says the theaters name.....duh!
This was a true collaborative effort and what a joy to be able to think of things and have someone say "OK, no problem".
In case you're wondering.....the size of the theater is as follows:
Front to back = 16"
side to side = 14"
Bottom to tip of the crown = 266 3/4"
Stage depth front to back = 15 1/4"
Stage width side to side = 13"
Now that it's done I kind if wish we'd made it even BIGGER.......(are you laughing?)
The item behind these photos is the headboard of my youth bed. Another day I will make a proper scene.
"UH, BohoMan, do you think we could make the gypsy wagon now?"
TOO LATE
he went running out the front door....covering his ears.
"But honey............."
Stay tuned!
I hope you all have a most spectacular weekend!
If my niece Samantha happens to read this blog........Happy Birthday!!
Love,
Lisa
XOXOXO
