This is a project that has been happening in stages. When we first moved in this space had this concave space for the TV. We have a big TV, but I’m not sure they make one that would fill this space…
(See the back left corner)
I wanted to transform it into a classic bookshelf surround unit, but easily and cheaply… key words I try to live by!
After searching around we came up with this idea. We purchased these Ikea shelves… 3 of them.
I think they were about $25 each when we bought them 2 years ago. We put 2 on either end.
and then we placed the 3rd horizontally across the top.
Then my dad and father-in-law came and added two shelves to stretch across the open space between the TV top and the horizontal shelf up top.
Then the kiddos and I played with our miter box and saw and trimmed it out. (This was back in the summer)
Now finally yesterday we caulked and painted it.
We placed a 1×2 piece of wood along the sides and up top to help connect the shelves to the wall. (It’s hiding under the molding)
Here’s my dilemma… what do I do in the upper corners? We cut down extra shelves to fill in the gap that was on either end of the upper shelf. Should I put something decorative? Any suggestions?
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Joining the party at The Shabby Chic Cottage.
brilliant! I think it looks fine as is, personally, not noticeable at all, but if it's bothering you, maybe a painted stencil?
What a great idea! I NEVER would have looked at this space and thought of this! Are you talking about the white in the corners?? OMgosh! I think it's fine! IF you wanted to do something I would make it look like the spine on a book. Those are very chic.
Congratulations, it looks beautiful and you're rightly very proud. I didn't notice the top corners but if they trouble you, some of the little molding accents sold at places like Lowes, that you stick on and paint, might do the trick.
Looks great! It was serendipity that those IKEA units fit so well on either side of the TV. I agree with Struggler (above post) that you don't have to anything, but maybe some fleur de lis (sp?) would look nice. Or maybe make a monogram using those wooden letters they sell at Hobby Lobby. Let us know what you come up with!
That was a great idea! I love how it all came together. I love built-in bookshelves. I wish I had some. I think you did a great job.
Muy lindos estantes, perfectos, te felicito y feliz año nuevo!!!! Chany
BRILLIANT!!! These are absolutely the best idea
Thanks for sharing. . .you could go to Say Anything and see if there is something there you can use in your corners. . .from what I understand she can customize her vinyl to whatever size you need. But I like the idea of the other commenters about something 3D up there too — or nothing at all. It just looks great!
That looks amazing…great job!
What a FANTASTIC idea. I think it looks great as is!
Wow. That's a great project.
They have decorative corner pieces at Lowes that might cover those corners beautifully for you.
wow! this looks great!
What a brilliant idea. I love how it turned out. this might very well go into my inspiration file.
How about cutting a board that would fit each side and writing an inspirational word on each one. Letters vertical, one below the other. Like this:
L
O
V
E
Great transformation, by the way!
GREAT job! That looks nice!
-Trish
Nice – a custom look. (Well, it is custom, you know what I mean…)
That is really great! Nice job! Maybe a stencil?? Fluer de lis??
What a great idea to use stock shelves to make built-ins. You did a wonderful job, too. Very functional and it gives you loads of storage. They also make the big black box (aka TV) look less obtrusive.
I don't think the way the corners are right now blends in and a stencil might make them stand out. I think painting them like the spine of a book is a cool idea that was given. You could put a few books next to the "faux" one and no one would ever notice.
I vote for decorative molding in the corners.
And!
Might I say…WOW! I'm inspired. I'd seen some stock/store bought shelves at Continental Calliope (?) and was already getting a feel for doing this in an alcove in one of the spare rooms…leaving here DEFINITELY INSPIRED!
That's why we blog about it right? To get inspired or to inspire others… thumbs up.
I think it looks great as is! Love off the shelf "custom" furniture–and thank God for dads! I found you via Miss Mustard Seed, fyi.
great big OOOPS!
I posted this earlier today and have just realized that the built in bookshelves I mentioned were at Bobbypins Boardwalk not Continental Calliope…
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I vote for decorative molding in the corners.
And!
Might I say…WOW! I'm inspired. I'd seen some stock/store bought shelves at Continental Calliope (?) and was already getting a feel for doing this in an alcove in one of the spare rooms…leaving here DEFINITELY INSPIRED!
That's why we blog about it right? To get inspired or to inspire others… thumbs up.
January 1, 2010 2:38 PM
Maryanne,
Great idea and turned out sooo nice!
blessings
barbara jean
I just came across your blog and love this! It looks fantastic – very inspiring!
Kristen
Love this! I have the same concave thing going on in my living room, and I need to make it as pretty as this! I'm going to bookmark this to show my husband and put him to work!
Looks great. If you feel you must do something, what about gluing the spines of different books to the part that is facing out. Then place other books along side.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN
How clever! I would never have guessed that your entertainment cabinet came from the original pieces. The way you organized your shelves is also really beautiful.
Wow!!! Nicely Done. I would have never thought of that. I get so inspired in blogland.
it looks like a custom built in. I would have never guessed you pieced it together. I never noticed the corners until you mentioned it. I wouldn't touch them. I think it looks great as is.
Genius! Thanks for sharing the idea!
That is SPECTACULAR!!!! I love it all! You did a great job with the accessories, too!!!! I'm inspired!
Wow!! I think it looks great. And the corners? What's wrong with the corners? Didn't even notice.
That looks AWESOME!! I love it!!
Brilliant! That looks amazing!!!1
It really looks beautiful and funtional! ~Great job!
love it!!!!
What a great idea. It looks fantastic. I would have thought you paid someone for a built in.
love it. great idea.
That is a great idea! Especially since they don't make TV's as big as they used to.
Briliant idea! It looks great! I see what you mean about the top part. It looks fine the way it is…but if it bothers you….I would put a simple cabinet knob so it looks like a small cabinet door, then hang a decorative tassel on it.
I'm sure whatever you decide to do, it will look fabulous!
Cheers!
Tina
That looks awesome. I love it when a plan comes together!!
WOW!! That "built-ins" look fabulous! I didn't even notice the corners, I would leave them as is:)
What a great idea. They really have that custom built-in look.
That's amazing!!! I would never have thought to turn one of those shelves on it's side like that. It looks beautiful and the corners aren't noticable from the pictures at all.
Hubs and I vote to leave as is. We are very impressed with your ingenuity. Great post! Deborah
LOVE this!! I always suggest this to clients! Great job, it looks like a custom piece.
My husband's going to hate you after I show him this and present my list of supplies…Thanks for the idea!
Great Job! You should post this at ikeafans.com. They have some great ideas on using Ikea stuff in new ways and this would definitely fit the bill.
So creative! Thanks for sharing!
Looks great! I love Ikea Hacks. It is my next DIY if I can finish the post! Awesome job! I go with decorative molding.
Congrats!
This turned out perfectly! I also have a space I'd love to have built-ins for.
WOW this looks perfect! Would a small stencil or finial look nice on the ends? You may still be able to find Christmas decorations shaped like initials and use those.
Thank you for dropping by – I hate to admit it but I don't even own a glue gun!
That turned out amazing…Ikea here I come.
This looks amazing. You did such a fantastic job! I'm going to have to remember this for the future. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!
that looks awesome… for a fraction of the cost of a custome designed built-in, I'm sure. I'm showind this to hubby might do this for either side of fireplace.
it doesn't get much more brilliant than this. awesome job!
Wow!!!! What a fantastic job you did. It looks like a real built in. I will have to show my hubby these pictures. Thansk for sharing
Very nice! I've always hated the the standard niches that are included in new homes. You made yours look intentional. Good job.
Wow this is great! I never would have known it was originally three separate shelves– nice!
Thanks for stopping by my blog– I will definitely link up for your party tomorrow!
Fabulous! I think it looks wonderful just the way it is.
Very Nice. This is about identical to what I would like to do around my tv. Thanks for the insiration
Great job and I didn't even notice the block corners till you pointed them out. But if you want to hide them it might be fun to keep an eye out for two really old cool falling apart books then glue the spine cover and the front of the book to it so it looks like a book in each corner.
tammy
Get out! That's amazing!
Have you tried submitting your projects to http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/? You should!
Genius! Love your thinking here!
Too funny, I was thinking EXACTLY along the idea of "Becky in TN" about cutting some book spines off some old thift store books nad hot gluing them in place, then place some other books along side (standing or laying down) and your fine…. that is if you have to do something. I agree with many that it's not as noticable as you think it is.
Sorry to the others but I do not think adding a stencil or more molding would be good. The simple clean lines of the whole area would be thrown off by the more decorative pieces. But as always, just our opinions…
Great work!
Looks outstanding…LOVE me some IKEA…I can never leave there empty handed! Hope you have a FUN and WARM weekend!
Blessings,
Linda
HELP! This is MY BIG UGLY TV! I love how you have made it less intrusive! And just when I was ready to find a brick! Ok, So I checked on IKEA and can't see what shelf you used – ok, there's like 1500 that come up in the search! What is the brand of it…..or something so I can identify it so I'm not looking super-stupid when I go there! And I will be! HORRAY! No ugly TV in 2010! Thanks to a darling daughter who saw this and sent it to me! PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I think if you click on my name you can get to my blog and then get my email address! Marlene
Hi me again!~ My dtr went to IKEA in her town and found the shelves! They have gone up a bit in price but it's still on budget! I am so pumped! Thank you so much!
Slap gorgeous! I love it. I'm so impressed that you had the vision to do it … I wouldn't have known how to do more than the first two steps.
Great job!
If you really want to put something on the edges of the top shelf you could stencil a short word on it (each letter above the next). I'd suggest using black or green since it would match what you have on the shelves.
I love your project! Very cool.
I love your inventiveness. If you're still looking for something to do to the corner pieces, try a decorative scroll in a color that coordinates with your room. I like it the way it is, but if it was in my house those bare pieces would bug me.
How I wish I know how to do some woodworking. I really envy people who can buy some cheap wooden furniture pieces and are able to transform them into something as great as this. You really did a great job.
This project is just simply TOO FANTASTIC – I ♥♥♥♥ it!
Always inspiring and creative – am loving following your blog…
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Great idea. If the corner bothers you try matching the other side to make it look the same. Also, look at craig's list to find at least part of the needed pieces.