Built-in Wrap Up

Ok, yes this will be my very last post about my new beloved built-ins.  They are finished (with the exception of wall paint touch ups).  My parents came today to install and wire the lights.  Exciting!!!

Some neck crankers.

(We also did some caulking after these pics were taken) 

Here is the cost breakdown:
Two gallons of Behr paint w/primer in Winter Glaze $66
3 lights $75
Wiring $16
Lighting boxes, dimmer switch and box $14
Plywood $116
Wood filler $9
Labor FREE
Grand total:  $296

Oh and here is an example of my mad drafting skills...

I could not be more happy with the outcome.  We used plywood with wood filler and then lots of sanding.  In person, the wood has some roughness to it but that is perfect to me.  If you would not like the texture or wanted to stain the wood, you would want to go with higher grade wood which would cost more.

Have a wonderful Sunday and if you see my Mama tomorrow, please wish her a very happy birthday!!

Built-in Bliss

Remember the built-ins I wanted to add??  Well, my parents were here this weekend and we got most of it done.  I designed and drafted up a plan and we went from there.  See photo show below:

Before shot.  I also painted the wood half wall and it totally changes the look of the room!

Measuring and framing out the toe kick.

Carpet cut out.

 Sully providing entertainment.

Installing the toe kick.

Installing the 16" deep base.

Base is in, now working on the top.

The supervisor, supervising.

The painting zone, aka the bowels of our home.

Getting the header in place, where the lights will be installed next weekend.

The trim is in place!

Painted!

This morning when the paint is all dry.

So we will be adding the lights and doing the wiring next weekend.  If you think I could leave this empty until next weekend, you are crazy.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!  It is exactly what I wanted!  There were a lot a decisions to be made about closed vs open storage on the bottom, color of the wall and shelving unit and shelving height and how to deal with the half wall on the right side of the unit.  All of these decisions had to fit into the budget too.  In the end, I love what I have but may add some doors on the bottom eventually.  For now, I love that the bottom is Sully friendly and he has a place for all of his stuff and he can see it.


I have some touching up to do with the walls and I will show you the finished product and give you a rundown on the cost next week.  For now, I have lots of staging (aka moving things around and finding more books for the shelves) to do.

Linked up to the Thrifty Decor Chick February before and after party!

January Plans

So I have this obsession right now.  It is with home libraries.  I want need one.  And even though we have lived in this house for 7 years, I only now realize where the perfect spot for it would be.

It is the wall behind our love seat in our living room.  To the left are the stairs that go down to the unfinished basement.  This is a forgotten area of our home and it shows.

Part of this transformation has stemmed from my utter frustration of overflowing toys and children's books that have run amok in our once very tidy living room, as seen above.  In addition, once I converted the guest bedroom closet into my craft/fabric storage area, I have nowhere to put our board games and extra blankets (you feel sorry for me, I know).

Here is what I am looking at for inspiration:

I like the closed storage and lighting in this one...

Source

I like the built up base in this one...

Source

Loving the ladder in this one...

Source

This project has a tight budget so I will be sharing the price of everything with you.  Lucky for me, I have a retired handyman Dad that I have enlisted for the transformation.  

What is going to be trickier is deciding what color the shelving and background will be.  This is especially tricky due to all the different wood tones we already have going on and the fact that I don't think I want black because of how easily it shows dust.  I know I will figure out something.  I can't wait to show you when it is done!  I won't disappoint!