JCR Forum - JCR Refurbishment

What would you like to see done to the JCR? We've been playing around with the carpet (that is, rolling it away), getting estimates for the walls/ceiling to be painted, have a range of new lighting and other decorations from which to choose...
We're keen to get some good artwork up on the walls, too, so post your suggestions on that front, too.

I like the idea of having artwork up - does that include photography? ;)
The curtains are rather dull, but I'm not sure it would be worth replacing them.

I agree with taking out the curtains, except the very large ones.
I saw today that somebody put chairs and newspapers all over the seating area which is next to the very large curtains. You might want to figure out why.
I don't see the point of leaving a piano in the corner of the room. That could be used for, I don't know, something else.
Also, maybe a free or cheap coffee machine could be considered? I have looked around very briefly and the options are very complicated. Plus there is no tap in the room, so I don't know if this is even possible.
When you are willing to tell us more ideas, I will be able to tell you more. :)

In my personal experience, coffee from coffee machines is universally terrible.
Don't get rid of the piano unless you replace it with a better one! It doesn't take up much space really...
Do we have a recycling bin for the JCR?

We are almost certainly going to get in paper and can recycling, as huge amounts of paper (especially) are put in those bins - it could certainly replace one of the existing bins. We're also going to spruce up the existing ones to look less gross:)
Unfortunately piano replacement, at c.£15k, is a bit beyond our budget as a JCR...!

Also...what are your thoughts on the ceiling being painted white (but still keeping the little coloured 'cones')?

In view of the Entz Hustings last week, not to mention all the other events throughout the year, might the JCR be in need of a thorough clean? For example, a fairly significant quantity of cider was spilt down the wall last week.
Also, how about a new carpet to replace the old one? I think it would make sense to have something to protect the floor.
With regards to the piano, I'm fairly sure that a very reasonable second hand upright could be purchased for significantly less than £15k, although I haven't looked in detail. It would be interesting to know whether a repair of the current piano could fit into this budget though?

The piano has already been tuned up to no avail, it is I think "beyond repair" as I remember someone musical saying.
The reason we got rid of the carpet was precisely that - too many spillages etc. Entz hustings basically ruined that carpet, and so a new one would be just as abused. Wood, however, is going nowhere. We are considering some smaller rugs here and there.
Would people be keen on a sound system - similar to but better than the one in the TV Room?

What are people's views on uplights? and plants? and a nice welcome mat:) and painting the walls a colour that's not insipid green?

I do not think it is a good idea to change the ceiling painting at all as I think it adds a lot to the room. Uplights would be good but I do not think plants would really work. I kinda like the idea of all the artwork on the walls. Is a sound system really necessary? We would not be allowed to use it much!

I tried to count up the number of times people would use a sound system, and it came to "not many". The Wii is usually played with the volume down, the room is hired privately only about once a week, there is no facility for screening DVDs (yet?), artsfest would also play music once a week, but for everything else - poker, welfare tea, people chatting and reading newspapers, pre-bop parties, OGMs - I do not see the potential for music.
For an OGM I would suggest a glass recycling box.

A sound system could be a nuisance, both for other people in the JCR and for people in St. Albans.
I'm not sure plants are a good idea - for a start, the soil could make mess. I also like the current ceiling.

Plants might also die in Summer without our TLC. But what about (good quality) fake flowers? Habitat, M&S and Debenhams all sell very realistic and - in some cases- unusual ones.
What are people's thoughts on a little tea and coffee 'area'? There are certainly difficulties associated, such as mess, but other JCRs had them and they seemed to be quite successful. The JCR would provide a kettle (already own that), some UHT milk, tea bags and coffee, and people would bring their own mugs. I think it would make the room friendly but could lead to a very messy table in a corner! Thoughts?

I have an inexplicable desire for pale pink walls but have been assured I am alone in this. Warm cream? Or in the words of Harraj: "Magnolia - YES!!!" ?

In order of priority (in my opinion):
1. Extra-specially strong and good professional clean
2. Paint the walls an nice neutral colour
3. Get lots of brightly coloured bean bags and cushions
4. Get proper, discreet recycling and waste disposal facilities
5. Frame some nice prints for the walls
6. Make the 'bar' thing at the end into a kind of mini-cafe with tea and coffee and stools round it

I second Caroline's suggestions. I'm not sure what the plan is for artwork, but I think that we shouldn't waste money on any professional photos or paintings. The art soc produce lots of great work, and I think there's enough talent to put Mertonian work up. Failing that, I know where I can get a cut out dalek fairly cheap...

I third (?) Caroline's suggestions. Like the idea of putting bright coloured things in - especially on the walls - as it's quite dark and gloomy at the moment, which puts me off going in in summer as it's so lovely outside. Also think fake flowers would be nice.

I really like Caroline's suggestions. It needs a very thorough clean, and this alone will make it a brighter room! The wall colour will change after a good scrub. And the dust in the corners. (Having said this, I am abroad so I'm imagining the dust!).
I don't think we should paint the wall or ceilings, the colours sort of go together. But adding framed artwork on walls and colourful cushions and bean bags will be enough to brighten it up more. How much can we get framing done for?
Gary's right - the Art Soc make a lot of great work! Gary you did a lovely piece once, did that end up in the bar? The Art Soc can regularly put up selections or work, and keep rotating them, like a gallery! We should advertise the JCR Art Exhibitions! :)
Another thought with Art Soc in mind - could we get some sort of large fold-up table that can be used for the events? I don't know how they've been managing this year, but last year it was a pain working on the low tables and we were always so worried about staining things with paints and glue.
Definitely a good idea to make the 'bar' area more of a 'bar' or 'tea and coffee' area rather than messy storage area (or has it changed a bit since last year?). High stools? More shelving? Nothing to modern.. should blend in with everything else..
Don't get rid of the piano! We use it! If it's not too expensive a better one would be most welcome.
I'd love plants in the JCR, and some of them don't make a mess and only need a bit of watering every once in a while. But I suppose we can see the garden from the inside already, and it is an amazing garden :)
Is there a basic CD player in the JCR? That would be quite nice to use for events.

I was thinking that - for example - some of Ryan's Merton photos could be printed on a large scale (c.A3, though a less clunky shape, that's just to give an idea) and put up, as well as anyone else with similar camera-talent. I think fun and/or beautiful images of Merton would be really appropriate, as well as - perhaps - some of the RAG photos from the JCR photo.

Merton man closeup, amirite?

I fourth Caroline's suggestions. Please don't paint the ceiling white/cream! I'm not convinced that the ceiling looks oppressive as it is and I think it would suck some of the warmth and character out of the room to do so.
I'd really like to have some real plants. I don't think soil should be a problem so long as we get a heavy and sturdy pot. Would it hurt to politely ask a gardener whether they'd be willing to pop in over the summer to keep it topped up?
I think a sound-system better than that in the TV room would be overkill - but some provision for music would be desirable.
P.S.: Bean bags: YES!!!

15k for a piano seems pretty unrealistic...that's more like the cost of a small grand piano.
You could probably get a decent, 2nd hand one that would be able to stand up to abuse for as little as £1000 or even less.
Apparently the current one has lasted 10 years and it gets played so searching for a replacement could be considered in the future. An electric piano could be considered as a cheapish option although drinks could be spilt on it.
^Bean bags sound good.

Bryn's right about the piano, if we have such a surplus it might be a nice thing to buy- after all, how did the other one get wrecked? Probably through much love and use. I don't know what I'd have done without it and the pool table at interviews- alas the latter has left us. It really would not be as expensive as 15K, nooo way; indeed, a cheap one would be preferable. Apart from private spontaneous playing, we occasionally have musical events in the JCR (gargoyles, musical welfare tea), which would much benefit from a working piano, a flexible and popular piece of musical kit.
Sound system/Cd player- I agree about St. Alban's worries, but some events suffer from a lack of audible music, drinks parties etc.
Brightening the place up- beanbags was my thought too!Just a couple. Maybe. And the ARTsoc and Merton-related photos are a great idea.

I like Caz's suggestions! (from Nick Lunn)

I just found a reputable piano company on, har har, ebay, selling upright pianos for £1.5k including delivery and tuning. I would suggest buying a second-hand one and spending more than £3k in total if need be. Or leaving it for another year.
I have never experienced a musical welfare tea, but it sounds pretty good :)

I like Caroline's suggestions and Mertonian art/photography is a great idea. The piano definately shouldn't go, but is it worth buying a new one for that price given how many people use it...? Perhaps some stats are needed!

Every time someone spontaneously begins to play the piano on the JCR, people begin gathering round. It ends up in some pretty nice 'college community moments'(TM). I can't play it but would argue for a new one if it doesn't jeopardise cleaning / walls / recycling / art in the walls. Also, would a piano company take the wreck we've got towards another piano? I'm sure you can rescue something off it!

I do like the idea of having a piano that is in reasonable condition in the JCR. The current one is used (although less at the moment, probably due to exams), and I'm sure many more would use it if it were in a better state. As far as usage statistics go, maybe have a look at how much the music room is used? That ought to give an idea of how many people would use a serviceable piano in the JCR.

I agree that we should keep the piano. What has happened to the dicussion about the polishing of the wooden floors or just replacing the existing carpet? As this really is a key thing as it will take up quite a bit of the budget. I think a carpet like we have now is much warmer and welcoming than bare floors and the carpet has lasted surprisingly well considering what happens to it. It is a shame that we cannot afford nicer/more sofas.

The motion for Sunday has this proposed spending plan:
Lighting - £900
Piano - £700
Artwork - £300
Cleaning - £250
Painting (DIY) - £250
Misc. - £250
Music System - £200
Flat TV for Wii - £150
Cushions - £100
TOTAL £3100

See http://internal.mertonjcr.org/files/internal/mailing-list-attachments/103/AGENDA3rdOGMTRINITY2008.doc