In this episode of DIY's Major League Remodel workshop, host Denny Janson visits the Orlando, Florida home of retired Major League outfielder Ken Griffey Sr. With Denny's help, Ken converts an ordinary spare bedroom into one custom outfitted -- in full baseball regalia -- especially for his grandkids. The transformed space features loads of baseball treasures, bunk beds, wood paneling and even locker-room style lockers for storage -- all blending to create a sports clubhouse feel that's certain to enthrall the kids.
Getting Started and Wall Treatments
Materials: Plywood paneling
Wood molding
Jig saw
Pneumatic nail-gun
Hammer
Nail-set punch
Nails
Wood screws
Wall-paneling adhesive
Caulk gun
Wood putty
Baseballs
Baseball bats
Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with power tools and pneumatic tools.
Steps:
- The original guest room was a typical 10'x10' bedroom with 9' ceilings, single beds and little else in the way of furnishings. Given that Ken may be accommodating as many as eight sleepover visitors, the fundamental challenge was to create as much sleeping space as possible. The second priority was to incorporate the theme of baseball into the deco and furnishings.
- The project began with a simple drawing of the space to map out the floor plan (figure A). If you want to get more sophisticated, you may want to try some of the room-planning software programs available for personal computers. These allow you to quickly create three-dimensional computer simulations of the room your planning.
- With a solid plan formulated, prep work for the remodel could begin. Our project began with removal of the closet doors. Some painting work was done next. Ken painted the ceiling and upper portion of the walls in a light blue. It wasn't necessary to paint the entire walls since wood paneling would later cover the lower portion of them.
- Ken had already selected wood paneling: 4'x8' plywood panels with vertical grooves. He pre-stained the panels prior to installation. The paneling provides the room with a greater feeling of height, and a durable surface suitable for the kind of wear that kids can create.
- Taking into account the existing 3-1/4" inch base molding and 2" border, vertical cuts in the panels weren't needed. Initial measurements took into account the existing electrical outlets (figure B) and the unusual angles of the room.
- To accommodate the existing outlets, an outlet cover-plate was traced onto cardboard to make a template. The template was then cut out using a utility knife, and then traced onto the paneling at the appropriate measured locations (figure C). The holes for the outlets were cut in the paneling using a jig-saw.
- The panels were fastened to the existing drywall using both adhesive and finish nails (figure D). Nails were placed at 2-foot intervals. A nail-set and wood putty were used to conceal the nail heads.
- Corner molding was cut to size and installed using finish nails.
- Trim molding was installed around the edge of the windows (figure E) since they didn't have existing casing.
- Molding was installed at the top of the panels (figure F). The molding was cut into 18-inch segments and installed all the way around the room. The height of the molding was 8-1/2 feet -- 6 inches below the ceiling.
- For the decorative touch, miniature bats were installed in an "X" pattern at regular intervals above the paneling. Nail-holes were pre-drilled in the bats, and the bats were then fastened to the wall using 3-1/2" nails (figure G). Baseballs were pre-drilled and affixed to the wall with double-sided screws.
With the paneling and wall-decorations installed, the room has already begun to take on a bunkhouse feel (figure H). In the segment that follows, bunk beds and a trundle bed are installed.
RESOURCES :
Kids' Rooms: Ideas & Projects for Children's Spaces
Model: 0811828417
Author: Jennifer Ley
Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com
Roadside Baseball: A Guide to Baseball Shrines Across America
Model: 0892047143
Author: Chris Epting, Joe Buck
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville: A Lifelong Passion for Baseball
Model: 0393057550
Author: Stephen Jay Gould
W. W. Norton & Company
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