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Sawdust Girl®

Sawdust Girl®

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Living Room with Built-in Entertainment Center

All Posts, Illinois House

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!

I’m excited to share this room with you today.  This is the final room on the main level.
“BEFORE”  (except I had already painted the mantel white.)
Ilinois Living room Before
Illinois before 2

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?

Living room with White build in entertainment center

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…

It’s  HUGE!
And he likes it that way!

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”.

And, it is really comfy!
When it warms up I want to build a cool table to put behind it to hide those zippers…

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.

February 11, 2011 · 39 Comments

« Home Office with Built-in Work Stations
House Tour – Playroom »

Comments

  1. Pudel-design says

    February 11, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    I love your living room!;)http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  2. My House of L says

    February 11, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    LOVE! That media cabinet is amazing and love the sectional…I've been eyeing that same one for quite some time!!

    Reply
  3. Jenny says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    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!

    Reply
  4. Leave a Trail... says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. Sunshine's Design says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Love the room! So nice and bright! The entertainment center is beautiful! I am wanting some similar couches. Are they hard to clean?

    Reply
  6. Chantelle - ThousandSquareFeet says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    I really need to come up with new adjectives for 'gorgeous'. How about exceptional? Marvelous? You really outdid yourself on that media center!

    Reply
  7. Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    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

    Reply
  8. The Mac's House says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    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.

    Reply
  9. Katie @ OhhBaby says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Wow! What an amazing transformation! I love this!

    Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    You are amazing! You should build things and sell them…you would make a fortune! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Kate says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    one word.jealous.

    Reply
  12. Diane at Perfectly Imperfect Life says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Katy says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    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. 😉

    Reply
  14. The Creative Muslimah says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    I absolutely LOVE what you've done with it!! So nice and clean and pretty and newww.thecreativemuslimah.blogspot.com

    Reply
  15. jbr says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    I love the look of the fireplace–with all the white in the house it is a nice relief for the eyes.

    Reply
  16. cityslipper (small kitchen garden) says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    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.

    Reply
  17. Marie says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    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?

    Reply
  18. UtahMillers says

    February 11, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    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!

    Reply
  19. Pine Tree Home says

    February 12, 2011 at 12:51 am

    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.

    Reply
  20. Julie says

    February 12, 2011 at 12:51 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
  21. Jessica says

    February 12, 2011 at 2:31 am

    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!

    Reply
  22. Andrea says

    February 12, 2011 at 3:05 am

    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.

    Reply
  23. Milk & Cookie Party says

    February 12, 2011 at 3:31 am

    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.

    Reply
  24. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says

    February 12, 2011 at 6:11 am

    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!

    Reply
  25. Dacia says

    February 12, 2011 at 8:57 am

    Oh my goodness, you're sooooo talented! Love the wall unit!

    Reply
  26. Sawdust and Paperscraps says

    February 12, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    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.

    Reply
  27. Clydia says

    February 12, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    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!

    Reply
  28. Not (Re)finished Yet says

    February 12, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    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/

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    February 13, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    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 : )

    Reply
  30. Heidi says

    February 14, 2011 at 5:03 am

    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!

    Reply
  31. Brooke says

    February 16, 2011 at 2:28 am

    wow, I want all your house. You did an amazing job!

    Reply
  32. Candy (Mama Lion) says

    March 5, 2011 at 12:55 am

    i am completely blown away by ur skills. cant wait to check out ur blog. im ur newest follower!

    Reply
  33. Courtney says

    March 5, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    This is A-MAZ-ING! Wow. Simply wow… LOVE that built in!

    Reply
  34. Miss Charming says

    March 7, 2011 at 2:48 am

    You have such mad carpentry skills! The room looks amazing! The fireplace and size of the sofa are perfect, too.

    Reply
  35. Katie says

    May 17, 2011 at 12:03 am

    You are amazing!! Just found your blog tonight and am in awe!!!!

    Reply
  36. Elizabeth says

    June 10, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    You amaze me!

    Reply
  37. Louise says

    March 6, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    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:

    Reply
  38. Monika says

    March 30, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    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…?

    Reply
  39. Sara says

    November 27, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Hi Sandra,
    What are the dimensions of this room with the Kitchen? I have a similar layout that I’m trying to fix…

    Reply

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