I mentioned in my previous post I’d share with you what the in home studio space looked like before the cyc wall construction.  Let’s just keep this a judgment free zone.

This space was a perfectly functioning living room.  The only issue is that we never used the space except for a couple of times a year.  Holidays and an occasional birthday celebration.

Note the wall on the window camera forward.  This window is no longer visible the cyc wall is positioned in front of the window.  Also note camera left the opening to the lower level.  M&M put up some drywall to close the opening.  We kept the banister and can open it back up when we move the studio out of the house.

Here is a different view of the living room prior to the construction.

The room off the foyer camera forward used to be the dining room and is now my office.  That’s a post for the future.  We’re still working on the space.

Here’s a peek behind the cyc wall to see the construction of the curve of the wall.  Sorry for the crappy photos… I didn’t have the right lens for the job.  It’s a tight space behind the wall.

Behind the cyc wall is shelved out storage.  I had to clear out one side so that I could take this image.

If you have any questions about the cyc wall construction leave a comment or send an email.
XOX-S

When I did this post about the cyc wall I thought some of you might have questions.  I’ve received emails/comments about the cyc wall construction.  Recently I sat down with M&M for an interview.  For those of you who don’t know us M&M is my husband.

We’ll start with a material list and follow with the q&a.

Material List:

• 3/4 MDF
• 1/2 MDF
• 3/4 Plywood
• 3/8 Bending Plywood
• Joining Biscuits#20
• Staple, Glue, Screws, Pin Nails
• Bondo
• Primer

Quantities are not listed.  They will vary depending on the size.

Me:  Why build a cyc wall?

M&M:  The challenge, support my wife’s photography biz, and cost would be similar to a couple rolls of seamless and a background stand.

Me:  Who inspired you to build a cyc wall?

M&M:  Allison Tyle Jones and Zack Arias.  You showed me images of ATJ’s studio construction. When we decided to dedicate part of the house to an in home studio I remembered ATJ’s blog posts.

Me:  How did you build the wall?

M&M:  Built the curve section first, using 3/4 plywood for the ribs and bending plywood.  Followed with the wall panels and the floor panels.  When everything was assembled I rounded over the seams before I filled them with bondo.

Me:  Why didn’t you run the cyc wall floor to the room floor?

M&M:  Because this is temporary.

Me:  Why MDF vs. drywall for the wall panels?

M&M:  Because it’s not permanent.

Me:  Why no cove?

M&M:  Not enough space & time.

Me:  What will you do different the next time you build a cyc wall for me?

M&M: Who said I’d build another cyc wall for you?

Me:  I’m asking the questions.

M&M:  I’d put the laminate floor down first.

Me:  What did the guys in the shop think you were building?

M&M:  A skateboard ramp.  A dream room wall for Aileron.

Me:  I want a dream room will you build one for me?

M&M:  No.  Get to work.

Me:  Your not being very fun.

M&M:  Are we done?

Me:  No.  Why isn’t the wall any taller?

M&M:  It was.  Then we cut a foot off the wall panels because you kept changing your mind about which rooms were going to be your studio and office.

Me:  Really I don’t remember changing my mind.  Moving right along.  Do you regret cutting the foot off the top?

M&M:  Yes.

Me:  Can you add it back please?

M&M:  Yes but it will cost you.

Me:  Will discuss that later.  Why did you add a paper holder to the top for seamless?

M&M:  Give you more background options.  You said something about wanting to paint/draw and change colors.

Me:  You know that I bought a couple of rolls of seamless and a background stand after you built the cyc wall?

M&M:  Your point?

Me:  How many times have you caught the boys launching toys down the wall?

M&M:  Not as ofter an I hear Cosmo sliding across the floor.

TIPS:

• If you use MDF/plywood, prime both sides to prevent warp.
• Screw the frame to the mdf from the bottom side to keep the screws from showing on the floor.
• To keep weight manageable use 1/2 MDF on the wall panels and 3/4 on the floor panels.
• We couldn’t decide on the type of paint so we left it primed.  Clean up has been manageable.  Give one boy a Mr. Clean scrub pad and the other boy the Shark steam cleaner.  Works so far.
• We keep tile board down to minimize scuffs.  Check out Zack Aria’s seamless tutorial for tile board info.

Here are a couple of snapshots taken during the assembly.  Construction occurred off site, sorry no photos.

You can see the 3/4 plywood ribs in the panels leaning against the walls.  The plywood box you see in the background is covering up a window.

The first wall panel is in place.

Cosmo heard the word biscuit.

First floor panel in place.

Next post I’ll show a shot of the curve from the back of the wall and a before and after.

Thanks for hanging in there.  It was a long post.
XOX-S