This blog will focus on the entertainment center I made for part of the design for the Steampunk Livingroom we completed a few years ago. The center allows us to hide the television, cable box, surround sound central unit, my PS 4 game system as well as three of the surround sound speakers. The television is hidden behind the world map that can be lifted in order to watch TV. The lower doors have small glass windows that allow remote controls to still operate the cable box and game systems. The center also has shelving for displaying various antique pieces and artwork. There is also a semi-hidden door on the left side that makes it possible to get behind all the electronics for wire hookup and maintainance.
The Start
I don’t have step by step pictures of how the entertainment center was made, but I do have enough in process pictures to give you a general idea as to how it was made. The center was made from oak and is really just a large box made in to sections. These are pictures of the front section being made that contains the shelving and and area for the television to rest in the center. The back section has the same outside shape but is just an open shell with no shelves. The back section sits against the wall with the front section attached.
This picture shows the entertainment center after it was first installed. The front is open and the TV and other electronics have been set in place. As yet no base trim has been added but the wood is all stained and varnished.
After adding the base trim I added some antique iron brackets to the top corners.
Some Hardware
These brackets not only add stability but are also a nice design element that match the brackets on the entrance door to the Steampunk Living room.
Metal grating and wood frames cover the left and right speakers of the surround sound unit. The center speaker also has the same metal grating covering.
A World Map TV Cover
The television is hidden behind a vertically sliding door with a metal frame and a map from National Geographic as a final design element. The monkey wrench door handle matches the handles made for the French doors that are the entrance to this room.
With the door set in place I did a little demo of how it will work. On the left the door is closed and on the right it is propped open using a couple of one 1×2 wood sticks. On the right you may be able to make out the urethane skateboard wheels I used as bogeys to allow the door to roll up and down inside a metal track.
Counter Weights
In order for the door to open and close smoothly, I used series of pullies and metal cable attached to counter weights.
Now the Steampunk entertainment center is ready for the smaller front doors and a few more finishing touches.
Small Doors
In all I made eight identical front doors each with three circular openings covered with watch glass pieces. The opening allow for infrared light to pass through to the interior of each opening, this in turn allows remote controls to operate electronics inside.
These are some images of all of the cabinet doors installed.
The Woodstove Side
The left side of the Steampunk entertainment center is right next to the wood stove so I added a couple of features to work with the stove. The first is a stash box where I can store paper and fire starters. This is covered with an antique iron door I purchased on ebay. The second is a bellows hanging from a hook that I modified to have a Steampunk look.
Access Panel
On the right side of the center I made an access door that allows for entrance inside.
This antique handle was used to make a latch for closing the side access panel.
When the panel is opened the back sides of the TV, PS4 and surround sound systems are access able.
The Completed Entertainment Center
The image on the left is a closeup of one of the counter weights where you can see the brass rod enhancements that I use on the other copper pipe based decorative elements. On the right I added a brass frame around “The World” label on the map as well as a metal medallion to cover the too modern looking National Geographic logo on the front of the map.
Low voltage lighting was wired into Steampunk entertainment system that uses a knife switch to turn it on e and off.
These are two pictures of the completed Steampunk entertainment center with the one on the left showing the TV door and several lower doors in their open position.
