Showcasing the Built-in Entertainment Center in my Illinois living room. I built this entertainment center and painted it white with Sherwin Williams ProClassic paint.
Happy Friday!
For layout perspective…the living room is opposite the kitchen, off the entry hallway.
I’m not a huge fan of televisions in your living room (that you can see) but it’s nice to be able to just turn it on without opening doors and sliding them back into the unit. What a pain, right?
Honestly I just didn’t want to make pocket doors. I did that once before and it took me 3 days just to get them installed properly, and working right.
This “Unit” is 6 different pieces and took me 8 weeks to build. I used furniture grade plywood on this puppy. It’s more expensive than MDF but much lighter. There is no way I could have lifted, carried and installed this piece if it were made out of MDF. Even out of plywood, my neighbor had to come help Wes carry it in because it was just too heavy for me. (I really do have awesome neighbors!)
I got to be on head nodding terms with my mail man by the end of it all. (Because my garage is my workshop and I’d turn around every day when he delivered my mail…when it was finally built and standing up and looking huge and awesome, he gave me a head nod AND a thumbs up!)
moving on…
I always wanted to change this fireplace but the hubby liked it so it was on the end of my to-do list…and it never got- gotten to. And, whatever, I think looks fine!
I’m a lucky lady really. My husband doesn’t interject any opinions when it comes to decorating or design or layout…or anything like that. He goes along with whatever I want MOSTLY.
But, once in a while, he has an opinion and when that happens, I have to give it to him. So the fireplace was left alone for him, and then there was the sectional…
When it was delivered and all the extra pieces were put in , I immediately knew it was way too big and we should send back at least one of the “extra” chairs. But, he and Maddie sprawled out on it and were sold. So, it was another opportunity for me to practice letting go of my need for everything to be “just so”.
So the breakdown for this room redo: new floors from BuildDirect, can lights, paint on walls/ceiling/windows/trim, and a really big entertainment center! The drapes and striped chair are from PB (clearance), sectional from JCPenny, rug from Home Goods along with most of the chotchkies.
See the rest of my IL Home Tour here.
Pudel-design says
I love your living room!;)http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/
My House of L says
LOVE! That media cabinet is amazing and love the sectional…I've been eyeing that same one for quite some time!!
Jenny says
This looks gorgeous! I had to re-read the section where you said it took you "8 weeks to build". What? She BUILT it? Herself? Shut. UP! I love the sectional too – can't believe it's JC Penney – who knew they had such cool looking furniture?!? Need something like that for our basement/media area. Well done!
Leave a Trail... says
That is an amazing re-do. I love the sectional, too and think you totally have the space for it! I'm so intrigued by your entertainment unit…and SO inspired.
Sunshine's Design says
Love the room! So nice and bright! The entertainment center is beautiful! I am wanting some similar couches. Are they hard to clean?
Chantelle - ThousandSquareFeet says
I really need to come up with new adjectives for 'gorgeous'. How about exceptional? Marvelous? You really outdid yourself on that media center!
Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement says
I love that cabinet and am so impressed that you built it yourself. You are amazing! This room looks so inviting. Great work!Have a great day!Pam
The Mac's House says
Never thought about furniture from JCPenney, I really like that sectional.My sister in law purchased a sofa sectional from JCP although I have yet to sit on it personally.
Katie @ OhhBaby says
Wow! What an amazing transformation! I love this!
[email protected] says
You are amazing! You should build things and sell them…you would make a fortune! 🙂
Kate says
one word.jealous.
Diane at Perfectly Imperfect Life says
What I find amazing is that you added a huge (and amazing) entertainment center and the gi-normous sectional (which I also love) and the room looks bigger than it did at the beginning. That's just good design right there. 🙂
Katy says
This is my favorite built-in of yours. I think this is the best one — did you totally design it yourself or were you modeling it after something you saw somewhere?And after all that, the fireplace looks just fine. Nothing wrong with brick when you've got plenty of white woodwork around it. 😉
The Creative Muslimah says
I absolutely LOVE what you've done with it!! So nice and clean and pretty and newww.thecreativemuslimah.blogspot.com
jbr says
I love the look of the fireplace–with all the white in the house it is a nice relief for the eyes.
cityslipper (small kitchen garden) says
When I lived in Boston, I bought a 2-family house with a friend. We gutted one apartment and rebuilt it while we lived in the other. Later, my wife and I bought a 2-family house and converted a one-bedroom unit into a 2-bedroom while we lived in the other unit.Renovating is great sport! I look forward to your further adventures.
Marie says
You are so talented, I just love your work! It's inspirational in a way.I did have a random question, though. For all of these larger pieces that you built that are not "built-in" are you going to leave them with the house or will they be coming along with you?
UtahMillers says
Unbelievable! I wish I was your neighbor. I'd bring you treats all the time, just so I could hang out in that amazing room. You'd invite me in right? 😉 Great job. You are very talented!
Pine Tree Home says
I'd love to take a nap on the couch. Big it is, but I wouldn't change it. Sometimes you just gotta go with how you live and not so much what the magazines want us to mirror. Great job on the bookcases. Amazing work. Truly.
Julie says
You are so talented! Did you design that entertainment unit by yourself? It is BEAUTIFUL! I want to lounge in that room forever! Haha. I agree with another commenter who said the fireplace looks nice with all the white in the room. Do you remember the name of that sectional? I have been looking at them at JC Penney but a few of them didn't have good reviews so I am curious if it is the same one. Have a great day! Thanks 🙂
Jessica says
That entertainment center is amazing! And I think with all the white in the room, the fireplace looks really lovely the way it is–such a cozy, welcoming space!
Andrea says
Hold up. You built that entire thing in your garage, and had to transfer it to the living room? Wow. Maybe you should write that bit about your neighbors on your real estate flier. I think it would be a real selling point. We always have the worst neighbors.
Milk & Cookie Party says
Ok- I could tell my huband that I want him to build an entertainment unit just like that and he would either laugh or cry but either way, he wouldn't do it. I'm impressed beyond words with your woodworking skills. Gorgeous.
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says
That is an impressive amount of work that you put into the wall unit! You amaze me with your skills. Are you sure you don't want to move to FL instead? We'd be such good neighbors!
Dacia says
Oh my goodness, you're sooooo talented! Love the wall unit!
Sawdust and Paperscraps says
Follow up to Andrea's questions. It's 6 separate pieces and we brought them in one at a time. Even so, each piece is pretty big and heavy.
Clydia says
WOW! I've been thinking about the JC Penney sectional for awhile now, after seeing it in your living room….I want one! I love the fireplace the way it is, along with all your "touches" your room is fantabulous! Great job!
Not (Re)finished Yet says
Hi Sandra, Wow, I love your living room!!! I have been looking for a sectional with a pottery barn look. I just LOVE yours. I am definitley going to have to check out the JcPenny homestore. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful home with us. I look forward to seeing which room you everyday. My husband just LOVES it 😉 when I say "oh babe, come look at this". He is my carpenter. :)Michellehttp://notrefinishedyet.blogspot.com/
Anonymous says
Amazing! 🙂 LOVE LOVE LOVE reading your blog posts. Enjoy them sooo much! : ) Thank you for being a bit of sunshine in all our lives! : ) -Natalie in Georgia : )
Heidi says
So are you bringing that wall unit with you? I had to keep scrolling up and down from the before and after pics. You have such a great talent for making rooms look so much bigger!
Brooke says
wow, I want all your house. You did an amazing job!
Candy (Mama Lion) says
i am completely blown away by ur skills. cant wait to check out ur blog. im ur newest follower!
Courtney says
This is A-MAZ-ING! Wow. Simply wow… LOVE that built in!
Miss Charming says
You have such mad carpentry skills! The room looks amazing! The fireplace and size of the sofa are perfect, too.
Katie says
You are amazing!! Just found your blog tonight and am in awe!!!!
Elizabeth says
You amaze me!
Louise says
Hi Sandra, the living room looks amazing. I love the fact that the before was a boring outdated and you transform on a nice and invited room !!! I was looking for more DIY blogs that actually works on big projects and i found your blog !!! You gained a new follower !!! Btw, i tried to open one of your links and its broke:
Monika says
Are you effin kidding me??? YOU DID THAT??!!! That huge bookshelf entertainment unit????? holy crap!!! WOW! I can’t seem to find your instructions/blog posts about this…or am I just having a blonde moment…?
Sara says
Hi Sandra,
What are the dimensions of this room with the Kitchen? I have a similar layout that I’m trying to fix…