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Saturday, June 5, 2010

Entertainment unit.. before and after


Last weekend my sweetie and I spent the our time painting the old entertainment unit/bookcase that I have had for about 15 years. It was one of those "put it together yourself" pieces of furniture with the cheap carboard backing that you punched out the holes for the wires. it wasn't awful, but that room can be quite dark because of very small windows and I wanted to give the room a lighter feel.


We painted it right in the family room because it's way to hot out now for the paint to behave properly. The back of the cabinet was removed and we sanded it a little to help the paint stick.

Then it got 2 coats of my favorite primer KILZ. (This is after one coat)


I am so happy with the finished result. The room has a cleaner lighter look.




We went to Home Depot and bought a panel of bead board to replace the cheap cardboard that was there. It looks like a real piece of furniture now!!!


I sanded all the edges a little bit and found these cute knobs at Hobby Lobby for only $2.00 each.
It was a very long weekend of painting, but soooo worth it!!!

BTW... Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last post. I'm trying very hard to keep up with life, work, the party, and all your lovely comments but I just couldn't get back with everyone. Please know that I love reading all your comments and I love visiting your blogs.
This last month has been crazy busy and I hope things will calm down a little bit in a month or so. I look forward to having more time to come over and hang out for a while!!! LOL!!!

75 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It looks great, Karen! I always wondered how paint would work on those furniture pieces, but I'll bet the Kilz helps with that, too. Nice idea using beadboard for the back and I love the knobs you picked.

Unknown said...

Quite inspiring!!! Especially replacing the cardboard with bead-board. I have some small bookshelves that could stand the same treatment:) Thanks for the idea and quick guide on how you made the change.

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Wow! This is almost the exact same TV cabinet I have. I'm going to be moving mine to the basement for craft storage because my living room is so small, it just overpowers it. I had planned on painting it white and using beadboard too! Nice to see how it will look LOL! I do have a question. Mine has a paper overlay which is peeling along the baseboard part. I'm wondering if yours is the same, because I worried how it would accept paint.

Hearts Turned said...

It looks beautiful, Karen! Well worth all the effort--gave your already beautiful room a real lift!

Love that beadboard...a wonderful improvement!

Hope life calms down a bit for you--ours is pretty stressful right now, too...that's just life, I guess!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Julie

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Karen, I love the new look, great transformation, and the beadboard looks wonderful!!!! Blessings~~~Daphne

Sharon said...

Karen, What a wonderful new look, a little paint can change a whole room. It now looks like you have a whole new entertainment center.Light and bright looking.....

Karen said...

What a difference! It looks wonderful! Good idea with the beadboard! I love Kilz too!
Have a great weekend! It's sure heating up!
Hugs! Karen

Cyn said...

Karen it looks great! I love that bead board look..humm I have this nice black shelf in my room that has the "yucky" backboard you poke out..I am thinking some bead board will make it just right.

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

Hi Karen~.....I am going to try and bust my behind to participate in this years event.

Your house and bedroom look beautiful!

My house looks crazy right now....my daughter and I just finished a 4 day flea market event and my house and expediton are a mess~lol
My creative space is ALL over the house right now....this would be a great excuse to get it all organized again and participate in your fun event.

Sandy said...

Such an improvement! I love the white distressed look.. your room just grew in size a bit!
Sandy

DeeDee said...

It looks lots better...I like the look...and the nobs are so darned cute...great job....you home is beautiufl

The Polka Dot Closet said...

That is great and you saved a ton of money!! We have are first Hobby Lobby coming to Orlando, Florida and I can't wait, you bloggey girls are always talking aobut it!!!

Angela Richardson said...

Hi Karen,
What a great makeover for your unit, could you work wonders on me too you have already made your magic on my blog.
Keep up the good work!
Have a great weekend,
Hugs,
Angela

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Wow what a a big difference, it looks so much better and it really lightened up your room. I like that you added the beadboard too, I posted about my tv cabinet today also (;

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Karen,
The white paint and the beadboard really made the unit look wonderful. Now, it looks like a built-in and has lots of cottage style. Love it.

hugs,
Sissie

Patina said...

Wow Karen that paint job really did lighten up the room! It looks GREAT! I love projects like that. The ones where the end results are what you were hoping for.

Tami said...

Wow it made such a difference, beautiful!

Sylvia (at) Lily's Pad and Petals said...

LOVE how it came out, the beadboard and the knobs are a nice touch. Looks brand new.

Lynda said...

Wow, it looks so much brighter in your house now. I love the change! :)

Blessed Serendipity said...

I love the transformation. So much better.
-Danielle

debi said...

What a difference a can of white paint can make! Beautiful! It really lightens up the room.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

It looks fantastic Karen! I know it is a lot of work but the result sure was worth it! It is great when you can take something you have had for years and turn it into something new and exciting!~Hugs, Patti

Debby said...

Hi karen, sounds like you are so busy, hopefully things will slow down soon. I love your makeover on the unit, amazing. Looks beautiful in your room. The knobs are fab.
Debby

Unknown said...

So sweet home, looks perfect! Love the cute knobs.
Hugs
Charo

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Karen:
What a fabulous makeover! I especially love the knobs you added. I miss Hobby Lobby! ;-(
Have a great weekend, my friend. Be sure to rest and relax!
xoxo
Donna

Unknown said...

Karen,
This is amazing!!!! The beadboard is so perfect! And I had no idea Kilz could look that good! I have always just gotten rid of those pieces.......Great redo! Isn't Hobby Lobby knobs fun???? ANd theya re always on sale....I just bought a bunch for a dresser in my bedroom. :)

Anonymous said...

Karen your home is always such an inspiration to me!! The entertainment unit looks fabulous and just makes your room that much more inviting!! Love that you used bead board on the back!

bee blessed
mary

Snugglebug Blessings said...

Hi Karen, love it. It is amazing what some paint will do. You are inspiring me to get busy painting my house. Lord knows it could use it. That was a great idea to put the bead board on the back what a difference it made. Have a great night, God bless. Cathy

Rebecca said...

Hi Karen
The cabinet looks fabulous, really made a difference in the room!
Good call on the beadboard as well,
Say when you get time... I know you are busy these days, I need some buttons made for my blog and the blog shop :)
Have a wonderful Sunday
Blessings
Rebecca

The French Bear said...

Karen, what a difference a can of paint makes!!!
I just love my new look on my blog, thank you again! I will do up a post after my giveaway, and thanks for stopping by and entering, that is really sweet, cause I know how busy you have been!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Boxwood Cottage said...

I think almost every "dark" wood furniture looks much better painted in white! So worth the work! I was never into dark wood anyway, but I even painted some of my light colored wood furnitures in white over the last 5 years and loved the fresh change. So is your dark wood kitchen the next project?

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Great job on the cabinet! It looks a thousand times better, IMHO! Love it - and the beadboard backing was a great idea!

Mosaic Magpie said...

Wow! That bookcase looks super painted white. When I do something like that, and it looks so much better, I always wonder why didn't I do it sooner.
Debbie

NanE said...

Karen, you did a great job on this! I love the knobs you added, such a nice touch!

Anonymous said...

Karen...what a difference some paint makes...love it...and LOVE those KNOBS ;D
~victoria~

Unknown said...

Looking fabulous! I've been on a white rampage myself. For so long it was black, which I still love, but now I seem to be loving the neutral whites mixed in.

Debbies Doodle said...

I love the knobs.. i will be going to hobby lobby to get those for my coffee table.. Great job on you cabinet..

Sherry said...

I love the transformation. We will be doing some painting of old furniture in our livingroom soon. I will show my hubby your pictures to encourage him that it will be worth the work.

deb said...

It looks amazing! Great job. Love the beadboard backing and the knobs,
well done!
*hugs*Deb

Anonymous said...

Love your blog... Its awesome!! Do visit my humble one as well... ;-)

Nishant said...

Thanks for the idea and quick guide on how you made the change.
PPC Advertising India

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Wow Karen...My living room is next!!! Come on down!!!! Your room and board is covered when you come in ;)

You have my vote for a beautiful living room!!! It's gorgeous girl...so what's next???
;)

Erika said...

Wow what a difference, a beautiful transformation, you must be really pleased with the end result.

Monique said...

You did a beautiful job! Love the distressing.

Bonita said...

Beautiful! Those knobs are so adorable. I can't believe they were only $2. What a deal!

Alison said...

How clever, and how well it turned out! I have some book shelves, white, of the same inexpensive make, that I painted chocolate with blue on the insides for my southwest living room. I used primer, but still had trouble with paint sticking. Will remember some of your strategy for next time. Love the "embellishing" with your own bead board. Will expand my vision on my next go 'round. Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

EWE! It did turn out awesome! Made a big difference in your family room too. Another great inspiration!

~Liz

krys kirkpatrick said...

I love it. It is amazing what a little elbow grease and paint can do.

PEA said...

really beautiful and looks like a brand new piece. I love KILZ too but makes me deathy ill.
have a great week

KClark Photography said...

Looks great! Isn't it amazing how one change in one piece can make such an impact. Great job.

Ann at the Handley Bungalow said...

Wow you did a great job! I really like it. I've been working on painting things around my house, too. It can make such a nice change!

Thespoena McLaughlin said...

How funny is it that we have the exact same cabinet! I love how it turned out and the bead board really makes a difference. LOVE IT! I may actually have to try this, it really does give the whole room a makeover just by painting that one piece. Thanks so much for sharing your hard work!

Nita Jo said...

I love the new look! The bead board was an excellent idea. I'll have to remember that when I get ready to redo my old entertainment unit. The knobs were the "icing"... so cute!

Judy said...

Amazing what a little paint can do to change the look. Great job and well worth the day and elbow grease to get that wonderful result!

Susan said...

This room is gorgeous, Karen. I love what you've done with it. Thank you for writing about this because I am going to be painting a few pieces of furniture next week and I wasn't quite sure how to go about it.

Wonderful blog, by the way, and beautiful home.

Hope you have a beautiful evening,
Susan

FILIGREE MOON said...

Wow! Such a difference! You did a beautiful job...the light paint really made such a difference in the overall room presentation. And those knobs are soooo perfect. ~ Angela

Days Gone By Deckchairs said...

Hi
I have just come accross your blog and love it...will be back for many many more visits.
I would love some help with design on a website.....similar to your blog designs. Could you help.
karenkte@hotmail.co.uk
thanks
Karen

Days Gone By Deckchairs said...

Hi
I have just come accross your blog...and I love it.
I will be back for many more visits - it is very inspiring.
I would really like some help on design - similar to your blogs but for a website.
Can you help
karenkte@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks

The Rustic Victorian said...

Awesome Karen! Love the knobs. Well done.
Love
Marcie

Anonymous said...

Oh, it looks gorgeous now and the beadboard was the PERFECT thing to add to it! Not to mention the knobs!
Diane

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

i am new to ur blog and i love it! love all the creamy whites and neutrals! great job on the ent. center- it is quite and upgrade! oh, what a little paint and bead board can do! please visit my new blog @ www.cottageromance.blogspot.com thanks!

Charlene said...

Life CRAZY????????? Yep!

Love your new shelves. They look amazing. Oh I wish I could get mine to bite on painting ours white. He's into WOOD but, Lisa always says "Just because it's wood doesn't mean its GOOD"

Gotta love it! Miss You! Hugs!
Charlene

Monica said...

Very pretty! Love the fresher look!
Take care,
Monicax.

kanishk said...

I always wondered how paint would work on those furniture pieces,
PPC Advertising India

Lady Pamela said...

Wow! What a difference the colour change makes. It brightens up the entire space. Big project - big results.

maryboys said...

just perfect in white, karen...i love it! and i laughed when i saw the knobs - because i bought them, too:) i just haven't attached them to anything yet...

mary

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I have that same cabinet in my garage, in pieces...and I've been wanting to do something with it...but it has knicks on the finish. Seeing your makeover has given me some new ideas...now if we can just get it put back together again... I am so excited I found your site!

Rachel said...

That turned out gorgeous! I'm a newbie who wants to paint over icky colored furniture, but am terrified! These photos are inspirational! :)

violette said...

wow.......looks lovely! Now how can i join your party?

Love, Violette

Leah C said...

It looks fabulous:)

annell4 said...

I love your home! It's TC for sure! Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed your site!

Vintage Porcelain Art By Amy Enright said...

Lover your Blog! I'm new to blogging! Is it too late to join the party?
Thanks! Amy
http://vintageporcelainart.blogspot.com/

prashant said...

Nice idea using beadboard for the back and I love the knobs you picked.
Contextual Ad Network India

Flowers of Sun said...

Wow, this is a great blog!
I love ur blog very muach!
^^

SusanLotus said...

Your home, and your blog, is sooo beautiful! I just love hanging around and see what your next project will be!
Hope you enjoy the summer as much as I do! :)

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