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Home » decorating » DIY Entertainment Unit Remodel — Reveal!!

decorating, diy, painting projects · March 15, 2011

DIY Entertainment Unit Remodel — Reveal!!

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
 A month and a couple ruined shirts later, my DIY entertainment center is done!! Yay!  More details can be found in my update post here, but basically we moved into this house about 9 years ago. The original owners built it with custom maple cabinets. They are really nice, but I really love a more clean look. So finally I got up enough courage to paint them.
The entertainment center was nice, but the space inside for a television was very small, and the room is so big that we really needed a bigger tv. So we decided to rip out the center section of the unit to accommodate a larger television. Our friend and DIY neighbor Brent helped us figure out a way to make hollow back on the back of the unit
{here it is half way done}

We installed a fake back, with room for all of the cables and to help hold up the upper portion of the cabinets. The right panel opens up.
 
Then we installed beadboard over the back with a panel that opens so we can have access to those cables.
We made a new shelf that goes all the way across the unit — so we can put the AV components on it. And my father-in-law came up with a way to hold up the shelf with a bolt that goes through a hollow wood dowel. It works great!!
When it came to painting, I used a great ebook — Altar’d by Mandi and Colby Morris. It has tons of great painting tips and tricks. Including what kind of paintbrushes to buy and techniques. I went with an oil-based paint and primer which will hold up better than water-based paint.
All in all, I love my new entertainment unit. It’s cleaner looking and I think the beadboard really adds a lot of character to the piece.

Plus, I think the Pottery Barn White really brightens up the room. I was considering adding a glaze over the top, but I think I prefer the clean white look of the paint against the tan walls.
I also found some beautiful knobs at Anthropologie — for half off!!
{Do you see the Girl Scout cookies on the coffee table?? LOL!}
And next up — my Family Frame Wall and cabinets!! I decided that I needed a more neutral background to take pictures of my projects. So I am planning on painting this little nook — Martha Stewart Arrowroot. With maybe a slight glaze over the top.
And then — on to the kitchen!!!! 
 I plan to paint the cabinets Pottery Barn Marscopone and the island Martha Stewart Arrowroot with a slight glaze.
I hope I can get through the project. The cabinet doors on the entertainment unit almost put me over the edge!!!

And because I had an extra 30 minutes last night, I made a little  
“Lucky” St. Patty’s Day pillow.
I’ll be sharing that with you tonight since there’s only 2 days until St. Patrick’s Day – LOL!
 Have a wonderful day! 
xoxoI am linking to these lovely parties:

”beneath

All Thingz Related giveawaysLife as LoriTidy Mom I'm Lovin It FridaysBCD 125


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Posted By: Jen · In: decorating, diy, painting projects

Great Ideas — Green/St. Patrick’s Day {3}
30-minute Textured Embellishment Pillow

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Comments

  1. Traci@ Beneath My Heart says

    April 1, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Jen! What an amazing project!!
    How did I miss this one? I am so glad you linked it up to my party.
    The white looks so fresh and crisp, and of course I love the beadboard.
    I bet you are really enjoying it.
    Thanks so much for coming to my party!
    Hope you have a great weekend.
    xoxo
    Traci

  2. Tasha Jackson says

    March 24, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    Its amazing what a coat of paint can do to not only the look of that item, but the look of a whole room! Brave, but turned out great!

  3. Valery (CEO Wanna Be) says

    March 23, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Stopping by to say hi from Wednesday blog hop
    Wow that is amazing and such a good job. I need more hours in my day.
    http://thisnthatboutiqueblog.blogspot.com/
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisanThatBoutique

  4. radn says

    March 22, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    I love white cabinetry. Can't wait to paint my kitchen white! Love the knobs!

  5. Laurie Turk says

    March 22, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Fabulous as usual Jen!

  6. Sarah says

    March 22, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    Those knobs are gorgeous! Excellent job! 🙂

    Sarah

  7. TidyMom says

    March 21, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Fabulous job Jen!!

  8. Home by Heidi says

    March 21, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    This turned out AMAZING!!! from one handy girl to another!!!

    ~Heidi
    http://www.homebyheidi.blogspot.com

  9. Katie says

    March 21, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    Tip Junkie sent me!

    This is so perfect. I was just thinking that I had no idea what I would do with our entertainment center when our big TV dies (it's a custom build for the TV). I am so inspired now! Thanks!!!

    http://kandidkatie.blogspot.com/

  10. Rhonda says

    March 20, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    Jen you did a fantastic job! Wow, what a transformation! I love the solution to hiding all the cords…genious. I've been painting a lot lately too…so much more to do. I can't wait to see your kitchen!

    Hope you have a great week!

  11. Christine says

    March 19, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    This looks soooo good! Great Job!

  12. Denissa says

    March 17, 2011 at 3:37 AM

    Amazing Jen!! I love the knobs, so cute 🙂 I do have a question, I have a small entry way table that is a half circle shape that I want to lighten up. The leg part is metal or iron like? Do you think that would paint ok??

  13. Lei says

    March 17, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Your transformation looks amazing Jen. What a difference!!!

  14. Ruth says

    March 16, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    The entertainment center looks fantastic. I love how it turned out. I love the false wall to hide all the wires. I need something like that. I hate all the wires. So hard to keep them neat and hidden.

    Ruth

  15. Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says

    March 16, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Holy cow!! That's a gorgeous transformation!!!
    Now I'm all inspired. Our ent. unit is all open and it drives my crazy seeing all the components and accessories. And with a 15 year old you can imagine how tidy it looks all the time. Not.
    I dragged hubby over to see it last night. You've lit a fire under us!!
    (Well. Under me anyway. 😉 I'll keep working on him. haha.
    Thanks for sharing it!!!

  16. Misty says

    March 16, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    This is fabulous! Looks great and I love the hollow back feature for hiding the cords. Always so hard to figure out what to do with the darn cords! THanks for the inspiration!
    ps, i love the picture of the entertainment center that shows the rest of the room too. looking good!

  17. K. Fox says

    March 16, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Brilliant!
    I have to repost this to my blog's facebook page…..this is great inspiration for so many people. I love repurposing furniture!!
    Kelly~Foxy Inspriations

  18. Amy {The Idea Room} says

    March 16, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Jen–It looks so good! I love how fresh and clean it makes the entire room! Yay!!

  19. whipperberry.com says

    March 16, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    My dear…you are a genius!!

    kisses
    heather

  20. Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top says

    March 16, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    WOW! It looks amazing! I love the photo that shows the whole side of the room. It's nice to see the placement of everything and your cute girls too. 🙂 Just thinking of painting all of your cabinets makes me twitch. Eek. haha!

  21. Jenn says

    March 16, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    Wow, Jen! I thought is was a nice built in before! The white is so crisp…lovin' it!
    Another amazing project!
    Have a great day!
    Jenn

  22. House of Smiths says

    March 16, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    WOW! It looks so good!!!!
    I love how it lightens the WHOLE room up!!! 🙂
    You're my hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ha!
    Love ya!
    ~Shell

  23. kami @ nobiggie.net says

    March 16, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    I love that you did this yourself. This is where I would hire it out. You really are super mom. !!

  24. Kimm at Reinvented says

    March 16, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    Wow, Jen, it looks fabulous! Love the clean white finish. Well done!

  25. Elz says

    March 16, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    The kitchen will look AMAZING when you finish. the projects you complete in your "free"time amaze me-constantly, Well done, Jen. Well done (claps).

  26. Chrissy Farnan says

    March 16, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    Wow it looks great – such a pretty house. Can't wait to see the cabinets in the kitchen!!

  27. Katie says

    March 15, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    This is LOVELY, it looks well worth the time you put into it!

  28. Condo Blues says

    March 15, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    The door to the back of the unit is so handy. I hate crawling behind our TV to mess with the mess of cables.

  29. Kristen says

    March 15, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    LOVE this! I have a bunch of pieces waiting for a remodel and you have inspired me to get started on them!

  30. Tina says

    March 15, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Gorgeous… looks fabulous!! white and beadboard are just my style as well!!

  31. Decorchick! says

    March 15, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    WOWEEEE! That looks SOO pretty Jen!! I love the white! And your paint color in the family room looks just like ours! Which by the way I still haven't decided on a new color yet. Ha! I know that was a lot of hard work so big kuddos to you. And it cracks me up that you had 30 minutes to spare so you made a pillow! You're so creative!!

  32. ReFresh ReStyle says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    It looks so good!

  33. Theresa @ Just Call Me "T" says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    That is gorgeous!!! 😀

  34. Emily says

    March 15, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Amazing! I absolutely LOVE it!!!

  35. Jenny says

    March 15, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    I love it! It looks like a whole new piece. Good luck with your kitchen, you have WAY more patience than I do!

  36. Tonya says

    March 15, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Jen-
    Your new entertainment center turned out just beautiful!! I love the hardware you found! I painted all of my kitchen cabinets back in December, and although it was a lot of work…the results were totally worth it! Good luck on your new project! Can't wait to see it when its finished!

  37. Burke & Chelle says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Wow! That looks amazing! You are truly talented! I love seeing your projects!

  38. ellie g says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Hello White Entertainment Center…

    You are DELIGHTFUL! And can you even believe you get to live at Jen's house? And have that awesome turquoise jewelry on you? You are a lucky, lucky piece of wood.

    Will you tell Jen that now that she's done with you, she can come to lunch with me? And also, will you tell her that if she let's me come help with the kitchen cabinets, then she can come help me with mine after that?

    Thanks so much,
    Lara

  39. E says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Wow I love it!!! I found your blog a few days ago following someone elses from SITS. So glad I found!! Love all the DIY projects! 🙂

  40. Cherie@DragonfliezCreationz says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    WOW!!
    1. where did the knobs come from? I don't remember reading about that.
    2. Did I say WOW?
    3. Love that thought in the kitchen. Gives me ideas.
    Cherie

  41. MiMi says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    That looks fantastic, Jen!

  42. Perfect Dad says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Just found your site. Wow: Such a great job. My wife and I tried to do a little modification to our kitchen cabinetry. Although we are happy with how it turned out, yours turned out better from what I can see in the pictures. It's all in the finishing, and I think tools make the difference between a really god job and just an ok job. Does your neighbor have all the right tools?

    It looks wonderful. A warning: I don't recommend painting the fireplace to match!

    Perfecting Parenthood

  43. Kassi @ Truly Lovely says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    I like the white MUCH better! And the tv looks like it fits nicely now!!! FYI.. Love that rustic star up above!! 🙂

  44. Huggs and Kisses xo says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Love it! You did a great job.

  45. Amy of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Gorgeous! That's a huge task, and it looks amazing. Can't wait to see the upcoming projects!

  46. Rach H says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    Wow, it looks awesome! I can't wait to see your family picture wall!

  47. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    It looks STUNNING, Jen! You'd think you guys picked it right off a showroom floor like that. You did a great job. I love those beautiful Anthro knobs! Don't you love a bargain? 🙂

  48. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    It turned out great, Jen! I love it white! Very clever tips for accessing the wires that are usually the ban of our existence when it comes to entertainment centers.

  49. Valerie says

    March 15, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Jen, I looks AMAZING! Great job!

  50. Stacy says

    March 15, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    It looks amazing! I love the white! Those knobs are adorable too. I am in the process of painting my kitchen cabinets. It isn't as bad as I thought. But then again, my kitchen is smaller than yours 🙂

  51. Kelli @ RTSM says

    March 15, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Such an awesome makeover Jen! I love the clean look of the white and those handles are awesome! I can't wait to see all the other transformations you are working on!

  52. Leanne says

    March 15, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I love it white. It makes such a great statement. Those knobs look perfect on it. I don't know how you do it all, but you're such an inspiration.

  53. Lauren says

    March 15, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    AMAZING!!!!!! I know it was ALOT of work from your posts, but the end result is BEAUTIFUL. You must must LOVE sitting and watching TV even more now. Congrats!!!!!!!

  54. KellyH says

    March 15, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Love it!!! Those Anthropologie knob are great too!!!

  55. Katie's how to says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    This turned out really beautiful. I too am a big fan of the clean look of white vs. wood finish…unfortunately most of my furniture is dark wood….I think you have given me inspiration to tackle the painting though!!

    Will you do a tutorial on the pillow? That is adorable too.

    katieshowto.blogspot.com

  56. Alicia says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    this looks fabulous, jen!! wow! i love the white. but isn't painting cabinets a pain!?! but oh, so worth it! good luck in the kitchen…i recommend lots of lattes!!

  57. Krissy says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I love it! it looks fantastic!! btw i LOVE your stone fireplace as well 🙂

  58. Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    What a great makeover, Jen! It looks so clean and modern. I love the turquoise knobs and the false beadbaord backing. That backing was a great idea!! It looks like it was definitely a project worth your time and effort!

  59. kristincita says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Hi jen, I keep being sent to your blog from others and have enjoyed a number of your projects. The cabinet in white looks great! Then I saw that you had 11111 followers and i decided I had to mess up your number. So I became 11112!!!!!

  60. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    it looks wonderful!!! i love the knobs you chose- and that picture which shows it all with your girls sitting there, um hello catalog shot!

  61. Erin J. says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    It came out so good! I love the beadboard on the back to hide the cords…such a great idea!

  62. JoDee says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    It looks amazing!! Great job!
    And I hear you on painting cabinets–I painted my kitchen cabinets this summer–and it was brutal. The only thing I'm thankful for is that we did it before we moved it–we just bought this house, and have pretty much gutted the main floor. I imagine painting them while you live in the house will be not-so-fun. But the end result is soo worth it!

  63. Kindra-At Home With K says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    So beautiful! I love how you made adjustments for the bigger tv and to hide the wires. Genius!

  64. -Kasey says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    What a transformation! It looks beautiful!

  65. Karan says

    March 15, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Jenn that is just totally awesome. What a great job you all did on it. And I absolutely love the knobs you used. I am going to show this to my hubbie. Maybe he can figure out how to hide all our cords like that. He has them neatly bundles but where our center is you walk by the end to get into the kitchen so youcan see all the cords laying behind it.

    Hidden would be wonderful.
    Love the pillow too. Will look forward to your post about it.

  66. Lori says

    March 15, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Great transformation, the entertainment center looks fantastic. Isn't is amazing what paint can do?

  67. Allie says

    March 15, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Jen, your entertainment center turned out so nice! The white is so bright and cheery.

  68. Hannah says

    March 15, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    great job! what a difference! 🙂

  69. Heidiopia says

    March 15, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    What a change! Love the solutions to the larger tv issue and all those blasted cords and cables. And I adore the knobs. 🙂 Kudos!

  70. Madigan at madiganmade says

    March 15, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Jen, it is beautiful white! I agree, don't add glaze.
    Good luck with the kitchen cabinets. Painting ours was a big job – but so worth it. Stick with it.

  71. Simply LKJ says

    March 15, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Jen, it looks amazing! What a great transformation. Can't wait to see the kitchen.

  72. Attempting Aloha says

    March 15, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    LOVE this! I've been searching high and low for the perfect entertainment center for us…may have to suck it up and do it myself. 😉
    looks fab!

    Aloha,
    Charlie

  73. Kelsey@RedefiningDomestic says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    It looks so so good! I can't wait to see the kitchen done! If you need help painting cabinets me and my Purdy paintbrush are totally available!

  74. Polly @ Helping Little Hands says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    Wow! It looks amazing! Nice work!

  75. Jennifer says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    P.S. everything looks great, and those knobs are killin' me. 🙂

  76. Julie {Angry Julie Monday} says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    Looks FABULOUS~~ Our nightstands are done but need to work on dresser, and the glass should be ready soon too…

  77. Jennifer says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Oh my gosh you're super mom. Goodness the amount you accomplish in a day is astounding.

Hi! I'm Jen Hadfield. I'm a mom of 5 restoring an 1891 home in the heart of Salt Lake City. I love being creative and sharing simple ideas to make your life easier and more beautiful!

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