Fire Place Bookcases: Part 1

For the past month, we have slowly been making bookshelves and cabinets to go on either side of our fireplace in our living room. Before, we had mismatched hand me down pieces we got as newlyweds to store our various cable boxes and DVD players.  It worked, but I am always one who likes balance and for everything to match. Also, WIRES! I hate seeing wires sticking out of the TV and snaking their way to the different boxes. It. Just. Looks. So. Ugly.  

 Scott and I talked about what we needed the bookcases for (like what we were going to store in them), how we wanted them to look, AND how to hide the wires.  He felt very confident about this project after making the bathroom cabinets, but the wires were the main drawback.  

Here is little Fi, catching a ride to the wood department on one of our many trips to the Depot. Why do projects always sound so easy when you write them down on paper, then when your halfway through and on your 7th trip to Home Depot in one weekend you realize just how daunting this project has become?!?! Ahhh home ownership! 

We decided to have shelving on top of base cabinets finished in white, with a poplar cabinet top finished in the same stain as our hardwood floors.  We want the bookcases and cabinets to look seamless with the house, so we will be adding crown molding and base boards once they are installed. 

Here is a picture of the poplar cabinet tops.  Scott routed the edges for a more finished look. 

We are in the final stages of putting them together and installing them now.  

He cut out behind where the TV is going to go, and will be hiding the wires down in there.  He then took part of the mantel off, and put a PVC pipe in it to hide the wires. We found these thin pieces of poplar (which will ultimately be painted white) to add a little depth and to completely cover the cut our for the wires.  Here is the inspiration we used Here and Here.

Things still left to do:

Cut a small hole in the back of the right cabinet to allow the power cords to get to the outlet

Make the Cabinet doors and install them

Attach the shelves and the cabinets to the walls

Install the molding behind the TV

Install base boards

Install crown molding

Caulk

Paint

Decorate!!!!