With no space available for a home theater except the living room, we began. My wife and I agreed that "home theater" would come first and "living room" second.      As it worked out, we achieved excellent results having both together. No guest ever walks in without saying "wow" or "incredible".       Since the "theater" was to be located in the living room, we felt it must make a major statement as to what it was.  Otherwise it would simply look like a window with the curtains drawn.       Our design was inspired by the excellent coffee table book Private Home Theaters by Theo Kalomirakis, who has often been referred to as the Cecil B. DeMille of private theater design.       The screen is located 2' back from the curtains to allow space for the speakers.  For this reason, the wide angle lens used to make these pictures makes the screen appear to be somewhat smaller than it actually is.  The pillars are hollow to allow the curtains to stack partially back inside.  VIEWING STATISTICS Screen Size: Diagonal to 7' Screen Shape: 4:3 Viewing Distance: 12.5' Screen Type: Dalite Video B Matte Masking System: Motorized remote control Pre-Programmed Aspect Ratios: 4:3, 16:9, 2.35:1, 1.66:1, 1.85:1, Cinemascope - 2.55:1,  Camera 65 - 2.76:1 Screen Lumens: 1400 ANSI Picture Ratio: Constant Width, Variable Height Blackout Shades      We have huge windows to both the right and left of the "theater".  The room is bright with sunlight and has great views in all directions.  Hardly the setting to choose for "front projection".  But that's what we did.     HunterDouglas motorized Duette blackout shades bring the room to TOTAL darkness at the push of a button on the remote control.  We decided we would not tolerate even the slightest sliver of light on the brightest day.  As a result, you literally cannot see your hand in front of your face prior to starting the projector. Masking System      All aspects of masking, motorized curtains and lighting are X-10 controlled.  The masking system and curtains are operated with modified DrapeBoss motor drives.  These units are excellent for this use due to their programmable electronics (up to 8 random stops per unit). Separate motors are employed for the top and bottom masks which permits random placement of the image for various aspect ratios.   The Room      While the overall attitude was theater first and living room second, every effort was made to decorate the room in a manner that gives a feeling of comfort and at the same time a theatrical style.  Most people are totally astonished at how well a full front projection home theater was incorporated into an ordinary living room while maintaining  it's complete acceptability as a living room . Comments or Suggestions, deanej@cox.net