An Antique Media Center and an Evolving Great Room

Almost all of my furniture is a mix of antiques, reproductions, and various pieces that have been found and re-habbed.  Not only do I love the uniqueness this provides for my home as well as it's cost-effectiveness, but there are always those items for the modern household where it is a bit more difficult to achieve. For example, it is a challenge finding an antique queen bed.  They just didn't have beds that big back then...  Media centers are another example.  You wouldn't find anyone sitting around fifty years ago watching big flat-screen TV's with DVR's, Blu-Rays, Wii consoles, or satelitte boxes attached to them.  This poses a challenge for all of us out there who desire a unique, stylish way to house our televisions and all their trappings without paying an arm and a leg. 

I was no exception when I started contemplating how to put together our tv/great room when we bought our house a few months back...

painted tv wall in progress...

Since the TV hookups were on an adjacent wall to the fireplace, it meant setting up a room with "dual focal points"....if there is such a thing. 

Rather than the traditional bonus room tucked upstairs, this room is off of the kitchen and readily visible in the center of the home.  This means I needed some kind of TV wall unit to hide all of the cords, etc.  I started shopping around before closing on the house and even though I loved those awesome antique reproductions turned into media centers from companies like Pottery Barn, etc, I was on a serious budget!  Time to think outside the box...

When my husband and I were moving our antique carved sideboard into the house, it dawned on me to move it into the great room instead of the dining room where we've had it for the last several years.  We previously had the TV on another antique sideboard, but with tall legs, I could always see the cords and it bugged me!  The viewing height was just right and when I found the antique brackets, I knew I could pull off some kind of media unit.

A few painted and distressed inexpensive boards were added and now I have wall unit with presence in this big room, plus a place to store some of my favorite things...

I initially envisioned my large collection of antique clocks here, but I ended up just putting a few out.  I suspect I'll be playing around with these shelves quite a bit...changing, re-arranging constantly like I always do!

And do you know what the best part of the project was?  It only came in around $100!

Linking up to:

Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday

Savvy Southern Style

At the Picket Fence

2805 Potpourri Friday

The Charm of Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Common Ground

No Minimalist Here

Stuff and Nonsense

Funky Junk Interiors

My 1929 Charmer

DIY Home Sweet Home

Between Naps on the Front Porch

Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Primitive and Proper