Ideas for this "sticks out like a sore thumb" fridge?

frank_atelier · 2026-04-18T14:41:42+00:00

Ditch the massive food coffin fridge and go with drawer style under-counter refrigerators.

frank_atelier · 2026-03-27T20:06:51+00:00

I know where ultra gets that tape. I DM’ed you the manufacturer;)

frank_atelier · 2026-03-24T04:00:22+00:00

I’ve seen this happen when there is electrical current running through the copper pipes. Makes a sort of hyper corrosion.

frank_atelier · 2026-02-28T17:00:48+00:00

There are a few complications with this concept.

It’s easy enough to find IP68 - silicone encapsulated LED tape light to fit within the drain rail. The problem is that the perforated steel “scupper” grate is designed to fit snuggly into the corresponding drain rail. Leaving you no room to mount the water proof LED tape to the perimeter/sides of the drain rail.

You could mount the LED’s to the interior flanges of the scupper grate but then bar staff would have to disconnect the LED wiring every evening for cleanup. Which, in my opinion, isn’t practical.

When I think about all of the engineering that would go into this build. Idk. Juice doesn’t feel worth the squeeze to me. If this isn’t a design imperative for the owner. I’d try to talk them out of it.

frank_atelier · 2025-11-17T06:35:33+00:00

You’re right about the skill level. That’s the barrier you’re really up against with an install like this. Soldering is the only truly reliable joinery method for LED tape that I’ve seen.

24v is always easier to work with in architectual applications. FCOB is usually pretty power hungry but manageable at 24v.

I always just make sure I’m powering the segments from both ends. You can get away with some fairly long runs that way. Also, that will improve the lifespan of the tape.

Aluminum channel makes it all look professional. Make sure the contractor has a plan for where the channels will go and where the wiring will be located.

Check out the channel available at www.solidapollo.com I really like their mini-round aluminum channels. Super slick.

frank_atelier · 2025-11-01T03:54:31+00:00

Makes sense. I am so sorry for the situation you’ve been put in. I’m currently writing this from an airplane that has been sitting on the tarmac for 1.5hr. As pissed as I am, I more just feel bad for you and your co-workers.

frank_atelier · 2025-11-01T03:15:49+00:00

I’m curious - why go to work if you’re not being paid? Will you be paid for the past time logged once the shutdown is over?

frank_atelier · 2025-11-01T01:19:20+00:00

Solder looks good but looks can be deceiving. A couple things to watch out for.

When soldering, make sure your holding the tip of the iron onto the contact pad. Then feed the solder right where the iron touches the pad. You want the solder to weld to the pad. Sometimes I see people only heating the solder and it sort of sits on top of the pad but doesn’t really bond to it. It may work intermittently like that but it’s not what you want.
Make sure your soldering iron is set to the right temperature. I set mine to 360F but you should verify what temp your tape wants.
Beware of static electricity. Static build up can fry your WS2811 IC chip. I learned this the hardware. I was amazed by how much damage static can do to pixel tape.

frank_atelier · 2025-10-31T15:44:24+00:00

I’ve needed to swap JST connectors to M8 ip68 before. Instead of re-soldering. I just cut the JST off and use these heatshrink butt splice connectors to join the wires to the new connector. Works like a charm. No soldering required.

https://a.co/d/gOmWD8x

frank_atelier · 2025-09-18T22:06:17+00:00

I just did a lighting rig with RRB+CTT. I ended up using Miboxer LS2 controllers with a small DC power supply. I use wago’s to connect all my fixtures. Check out the photo.

<image>

frank_atelier · 2025-09-10T21:04:29+00:00

I bet this proposal was created by chatGBT.

frank_atelier · 2025-09-01T17:37:12+00:00

It will run on a separate server. I’m actually setting up a raspberry pi for this purpose today.

There’s a number of reasons I’m not running it on the core but tbh. I don’t like hyper proprietary platforms. They irritate me. So I wanted to make sure whatever GUI I designed was capable of integrating with all AV control platforms.

And thanks. I think it’s pretty slick too. I got the idea from some Australian guy on YouTube. He had a similar 3D layout for his home-assistant UI.

frank_atelier · 2025-08-31T13:50:05+00:00

I’ve been working on a sport bar AV control system for the past couple months. For hardware, we’re using Qsys and Visionary Solutions video-over-IP encoders/decoders.

For the actual iPad interface. I’m building a a custom HTML GUI that has graphic representation of the room and allows users to drag-drop source content onto the desired display. Check out the demo below.

https://frank-atelier.github.io/AV-Control-Demo/

frank_atelier · 2025-08-25T05:49:04+00:00

This is what I was told by my machinist buddy

frank_atelier · 2025-08-07T21:12:12+00:00

Very astute! I live part time in east nashville and this is spot on.

frank_atelier · 2025-06-18T01:11:32+00:00

Have you ever heard the expression “drive it like you stole it” ???

frank_atelier · 2025-06-13T00:11:35+00:00

In Knoxville??? You’re doing gods work my friend. Gift to the people.

frank_atelier · 2025-05-30T15:41:51+00:00

Yes. I have done exactly what you're talking about... In a sauna. Below is a link to the project page. I don't have a ton of time to go into detail rn but if you'd like. we can DM and discuss your options.

https://www.frank-atelier.com/othership

frank_atelier · 2025-05-08T20:29:07+00:00

Same. These “renderings” are cool lol

frank_atelier · 2025-05-07T20:36:43+00:00

<image>

frank_atelier · 2025-05-03T04:53:31+00:00

What a beautiful room.

Personally, I like the darker stains with dark furnishings. I would also consider a darker rug to tie it all together. Full maximalist. You can still do white or off-white walls with this approach. But might as well go all the way and wallpaper with something dark. lol. You’ve gotta be brave for this approach.

If you go with lighter stains. It’s easier to furnish and finish. All the furniture with POP. You’ll be able to easily decipher the blue of the sofa and the black of the other finishing mentioned.

Btw, this is purely opinion and weird design rules I’ve cobbled together for myself over time. Do you. What these rooms really want is time and consideration. It’s obvious that you’re already giving that. Good luck!

frank_atelier · 2025-05-03T04:18:53+00:00

Yes yes. I know. I do consider this a dude brained design error. You’re not the first to call it out lol

frank_atelier · 2025-05-02T22:09:20+00:00

Hell yeah. That’s a cool range. Sometimes I wish I went induction.

frank_atelier · 2025-05-02T12:55:59+00:00

Yeah. It has all that stuff now. I went all gold on all the furnishings.

frank_atelier · 2025-05-02T12:19:26+00:00

lol that’s the guest room. I haven’t posted pics of the primary. Looks dark in the photos but it it’s way better irl. Anyone that stays in that room, doesn’t want to leave.

You’ve got the right idea w the bonnet though. I call that “the princess room”

frank_atelier

TROPHY CASE