Category Archives: Theater & Media Seating

It’s A Wonderful World Wish Day for 7-Year-Old James, who Receives His Own Dream Home Theater and Gaming System

Thanks to the Passion and Teamwork of JDAV, George to the Rescue, Make-a-Wish and Salamander Designs, Boy Sees His Dreams Come True on The Big Screen.

Every once in a while, a story comes along that warms you deeply from the inside and makes you smile bigger than you thought possible. And this is one of them. Fittingly, this story also happened to air recently on NBC on World Wish Day, Saturday, April 29, 2023, on George to the Rescue.

13-season NBC TV show “George to the Rescue” was looking to do a first time-ever collaboration show with the Make-a-Wish. Since 2010, George to the Rescue (GTTR) has been NBC’s Emmy-winning human interest and home renovation series that elevates the human spirit while celebrating and showcasing the power of community. Featuring George Oliphant’s design-build transformations, the series has supported countless individuals, families and organizations in need.

For this special episode, GTTR and NBC contacted Gabriel Karlis, CEO of JDAV Design, an AV Integration & Technology company, to design a home theater and gaming room for a family that had two young children, James and Rose, that have both been diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy. And JDAV Designs and Salamander Designs stepped up to help make that happen, bringing together a passionate, big team to fulfill a big screen wish.

With no boundaries to his imagination, James made a wish for an accessible home theater and gaming room that would allow him to play games with friends and enjoy movie nights with family. GTTR host George Oliphant brought in a team of experts and designers to renovate the Popelka’s living space, and create a new, immersive theater room to provide them comfort, excitement and entertainment for years to come.

The integration firm, JDAV Designs, is a top integration company that serves New York, New Jersey and Florida. Their generous team took the lead to design and deliver the complete cinematic system with smart controls for all of James entertainment. This new room features a remarkable variety of leading audio and video systems that all come together for James and his family.

“Our goal at JDAV was to design a Home theater gaming environment that would accomplish James’ wish and also provide a level of control and future independence using voice control technology,” shared Gabriel Karlis, CEO of JDAV Design.

The JDAV team designed a Samsung short throw projector that’s fully integrated into the Salamander Designs Custom Credenza that, together, project a video image on a 120” Screen Innovations screen. Salamander donated the Ultra Short Throw Projector Cabinet in a beautiful black oak finish. It houses the projector and also other components to serve as a centerpiece for the system. They selected a Sonos 5.1 surround sound system, and the team also incorporated an automated Lutron lighting and shading system and a smart thermostat for comfort. All aspects of the new room are fully functional through voice recognition technology controlling the music, video, gaming, lighting, shades and HVAC thermostats.

Now James has seamless access to being immersed in movies, TV shows, video games and any entertainment that he wants. Adding to the joy, his wish was revealed to him on his seventh birthday! And, along with his sister Rose, they enjoyed a day full of fun that was capped off with a special concession stand full of goodies.

“JDAV is proud to have had the opportunity to use our expertise and experience in our field to create a special environment for the Popelka’s family,” added Gabriel Karlis. “We are grateful to be a part of this and help make James’s wish come to true. We hope everyone will take the time to join us in watching this special episode.”

George Oliphant of GTTR shared, “With JDAV, Salamander Designs elevated this George to the Rescue/Make-a-Wish exceptional collaboration. The beautiful, functional media credenza really brings James’ immersive entertainment space together. It was an honor to team up together while granting a deserving child’s wish. We hope the Popelka family’s gratitude, positivity, resilience and togetherness inspire all who watch the program.”

“Being able to donate something to make a child’s dream a reality is one of the most rewarding things we do,” said Scott Srolis, SVP of Sale and Marketing for Salamander Designs. “In the full spirit of ‘World Wish Day,’ we are honored be a part of James’ wish and provide a Salamander Cabinet for his new theater and gaming system. We hope it will bring great enjoyment to him and his family, and we are extremely proud of our Dealer JDAV, who brought us into this heartwarming project and freely contributed their time and expertise.”

See the full reveal from Season14, Episode3 here on George to the Rescue’s YouTube.

It’s also available for streaming on Peacock.

Try Salamander Entertainment Furniture Today – See Our New Look Book for Inspiration

Golf Simulator Leads to Exceptional Entertainment Retreat for BRAVAS Colorado Client

This exiting entertainment project all started when the client came to BRAVAS in Littleton, Colorado for a golf simulator. This story reminds us that you never know where a job—even a relatively smaller scope job—may lead. Hesitant about smart home automation at first, the client did not want a lot of complicated technology in their home. But as mutual trust and confidence grew, the project also grew into adding Lutron Palladiom for centralized lighting, a full-blown home theater, music in other areas of the home and more. 

Photos by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

New Technology, New Construction.

Mac Saad, with the BRAVAS Colorado branch was the lead designer and technology architect on the project with the backing of BRAVAS Colorado’s extensive Engineering team. BRAVAS has offices and representatives in 15 cities across the US and completes more than 3500 integration projects around the country each year. BRAVAS sells and supports everything from lighting, shades, and A/V to networking, security systems, and power management. They also provide high-quality entertainment furniture from Salamander Designs.

The project at hand was new construction. The BRAVAS team was fortunate that the builder was happy to closely coordinate efforts and work together to ensure optimum outcome for the client. One example of this collaboration, the BRAVAS team was brought in early when they were building the theater.  

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

“We had a very large Barco Projector going in for video in the theater area of a room,” Mac explained. “This basement room shared both the golf simulator and the home theater. Because we were brought in early, we saw that if the soffit was extended just a small amount, we could put the projector entirely into it so that it’s quiet and always out of sight. We worked together with the builder, and the client was extremely happy about this adjustment.”

Challenges and Covid Didn’t Stop Them.

Most every custom project has some challenges. In this case, the golf simulator was a key component and created some additional work. BRAVAS had to try several layouts, and in the end, were able get this accomplished for the client.

As for many integrators over the past year, COVID-19 was a challenge, too. The BRAVAS team started the project during the pandemic and encountered some natural inventory delays. Fortunately, they were able to source suitable alternative choices. In this case, the client wanted consistent black products and looks such as speakers, wall switches and more. Mac shared, “The original seating was to be a black microfiber. With Covid-related delays, we were able to find a faster—and actually better—solution for this client by working closely with Salamander Designs.”

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohma

Challenges and Covid Didn’t Stop Them.

At the time, the black microfiber seating was on backorder, which is uncommon. But Salamander Designs worked with BRAVAS and their client to find similar fabrics and other options that were more readily available. With a curated, very wide assortment of upholstery including 45 seating covers to choose from, the Salamander team went into design and service mode for the dealer and their client. They had to satisfy a client who was very sure about his vision. After sharing more readily available options, the client selected a highly unique, two-tone Salamander Talia Seating that could be secured more quickly and even elevate the room. Mac said, “It was pretty great how Salamander could still provide furniture that was custom built and quickly delivered during this time. Most importantly, they did so with products that worked the best for durability and fit this home theater in the way our client envisioned.”  

“Salamander Designs— and everyone who works there, actually—was very accommodating to us and the client’s requests. Even smaller things, like providing special awesome piping on the seats. Salamander was able to do this for us. Our customer got exactly what they wanted, customized, with special piping and in a great color that would work—even during the Covid crisis.”

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

BRAVAS is in a class by itself: After-Sale Service.

We went on to find out that this BRAVAS location is really all about providing the best in white glove service and going in after the design and installation. The company sees after-install support as very key to the client and our company because unlike other things such as a floor that is put into a home, the customer must interact with home technology every day and it is integral to convenience in their lives. BRAVAS Colorado views the installation as really the beginning of the relationship, and they make sure customers have ongoing , never-ending satisfaction and that technology is always seamless and easy-to-enjoy for everyone.

Salamander Seating Satisfied Other Client Requirements.

“Our customer loved the ability for everyone to have the same great movie viewing experience,” the Dealer said. “Build-quality was a major part of this project. The client wanted the best quality and when he saw and understood that this was a 1000-pound couch/row seating, they understood this seating was different.”

Another objective, this client wanted either entertainment seating or a couch setup where the kids would not fight over who got which seat during a movie or show. He wanted all seats to be equal so to speak. The Salamander Talia seating included motorization and butt shakers in every single seat so that everyone had the same experience.

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

The Real Reaction?

BRAVAS saw the seating before the client family did and was a bit uncertain about the two-tone seating choice because the two tones were similar in color. Two-tone is usually the more expensive option, and the BRAVAS team wanted it to be exactly right.

The good news? This client was thrilled and loves the outcome. “The two-tone looks very, very slick!” it was reported. “Best of all, everyone in our family has the premier seat in the house in our new home theater and entertainment space.”

Other Equipment in This Perfect Project.

The overall project included Lutron Palladiom lighting, Control4 for control and several Sony TVs including an 85-inch above the fireplace upstairs. Speakers included James Loudspeakers, a small Sonance aperture system and Kef Speakers in theater/golf simulator space. And yes, there is also a Salamander Designs Media Stand for components in the home theater. “We sell other furniture, but Salamander is my go-to because of how easy it is to customize and how very helpful their team is.”

Try Salamander Entertainment Furniture Today – See Our New Look Book for Inspiration

Salamander Designs Introduces Two New Home Theater Seating Styles

Introducing Luca and Lilliana home theater seating solutions. Both models feature distinctive design and unique stitch patterns reminiscent of the finest luxury automobiles while offering the most sumptuous, durable and ultimately comfortable vantage point for enjoying home cinema.

All Salamander home theater seating models are constructed with an emphasis on premium quality, style and support. Each collection has been ergonomically engineered to ensure optimized positioning for lumbar, head/neck and legs over the course of a long feature film. At Salamander, all entertainment seating models are constructed to deliver lasting comfort and elegance.

Luca Theater Seating

The Luca seating features a stylish diamond double-needle stitching on the seat and back inserts with single-needle top stitch on the arms, the seat and back frames. Consumers can select stitching that matches or contrasts with the upholstery for a stunning look. Luca recliners are offered with manual or power recline mechanisms and with or without cup holders.

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Lilliana Theater Seating 

The Lilliana seating is a similar overall form factor to the Luca models, but is adorned with handsome horizontal channel stitching on the seat and back inserts and matching or contrasting welt around the perimeter. Like the Luca chairs, Lilliana models are offered with manual or power recline mechanisms and with or without cup holders.

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Salamander Designs Luca and Lilliana seating models come with a limited lifetime warranty and will be available October, 2016.

Elevating The Furniture Experience – Media Cabinets & Entertainment Seating

Elevating Style

Chameleon Collection AV CabinetThe Chameleon Collection of AV cabinets offers an evocative selection of sophisticated designs and decorator styles – including deep textured options – to enhance any decor. These customizable media consoles confidently express the fusion of art and technology. View the entire collection.

Download or request a printed brochure of any Salamander products. Find the nearest dealer showroom here.

Elevating Choice

Synergy System cabinetSynergy System takes the concept of customization to the highest level. This fully modular system allows you to define an attractive, highly personalized piece of furniture that can handle any combination of electronic gear and technology. See all Synergy cabinets and design your own solution with our DYO Synergy Configurator.

Elevating Comfort

Premium Talia Theater SeatingEntertainment seating is a critical element for any media room. Each of our custom home theater chairs is constructed with the highest degree of strength, style and support. Superior ergonomic engineering and luxurious covering options ensure optimal comfort throughout the longest double feature. See all premium seating collections and try our Custom Seating Configurator.

Elevating Performance

Salamander High Performance AV FurnitureOur professional grade products are engineered to enhance the AV experience, and designed to integrate seamlessly with the latest technology. Custom seating offers fully-adjustable, quiet, wall-away motorized reclining mechanisms. At the heart of each custom cabinet is a unique aluminum chassis that provides a strong and flexible furniture platform. From active cooling to IR repeaters, cable management to multi-media storage and much more, you’ll love the way our furniture performs. See the wide variety of accessories we offer.

Elevating Value 

AV Basics by Salamander DesignsIntroducing AV Basics by Salamander. This stylish, high-quality line of media cabinets and chairs provides an alternative price point to our premium, highly customizable furniture. Thoughtfully designed and packed with performance-enhancing features, AV Basics arrives at your door fully assembled. View the entire line of consoles and home theater seating.

Questions? Contact us … and our customer experience staff will be happy to help you.