Vintage sport

Even if we didn't live through the golden age of 1930s Hollywood, many of us recognise the look of vintage cinemas and want a similar style in our own home.

The owners of this home theatre liked the streamlined glamour of the Art Deco cinema of the late 1930s, says Jeffrey Smith of First Impressions Theme Theatres.

"It's a style also known as Streamline Moderne that you see in the aeroplanes and Chrysler cars of the time and in the Empire State Building," says Smith.

One of the homeowners enjoyed watching sport with his friends. To create a sports-bar feel, Smith created a buddy bar towards the back of the room, with cafe-style tables for mingling.

"Friends can either sit or stand, and congregate around the bar while they watch the match," he says. "The back row chairs can be adjusted if people need to get a better view."

The theatre is installed within the room's original walls, which creates a soundproof seal.

"To tune the room acoustically, we've installed absorption areas sound is reflected off the curvilinear walls, which are loaded with absorption material. We've added a diffusion system to create surround sound. The result is a sound performance that is big and natural, with crisp, clear dialogue," he says.

Visually, the fluid lines, raspberry and olive seating and custom carpet evoke the vintage Art Deco cinemas of America. Period detailing, such as the tufted door and the illuminated central ceiling fin, complete the picture.

Story by: Alison Wall