Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Lettered Cottage- Entertainment Unit Accessories

It all started when my friend Rhoda gave me this great big, old sailboat for me ( she got for $2.00!) about a week ago. I brought it in the house, when I got back from our Endless Yard Sale excursion, and immediately placed it on top of the entertainment unit in our living room...




...and that's all it took to get my gears turnin'!


I've put off accessorizing the entertainment unit for 2 years now. Don't ask me why. It's just one of those things. You want to do it, but there's never enough hours in the day. And sometimes your brain just doesn't want to have to think that hard, ya know?


But once I got the sailboat up there, I was immediately filled with the energy and desire I needed to get the job done! I refused to walk past its empty shelves and unorganized DVD boxes one more day.


So this is what it looks like now...




The whole unit itself is solid, espresso-stained pine. We bought it at IKEA. The price of the glass-doored TV Unit, the 2 bookcases and the bridging shelf totalled just $500. Not bad, eh?

Actually the accessorizing is not quite done. I still need a few candles and one small plant. But, I don't think it'll take me 2 more years to get those things. :-)

So let me take you on the tour of our newly decked out bookcases...

Starting on the bottom left, you'll find a basket filled with small toys for our nephews and niece to play with when they come over. I've found that because they feel like they're their baskets, and because they're easy to reach, they even enjoy picking up after themselves before they leave our house. (We may just have really polite nephews' and nieces though)
This basket idea is something to keep in mind if you also want to keep some toys in your living room, but don't like the look of them all over the place.



The shelf above the toy basket holds a black-painted, wooden photo box. It holds tons of photos of the Lettered Cottage, and Kevin and I, inside of it. I've always loved that photo of us at the beach on the front side of the box....look how short my hair was!



I used a medium-toned, rattan charger behind the box to create some separation, color-wise, between the tone of the photo box and the tone of the bookcase itself. It got a little lost in there without it. The charger cost just $1.00 at an antique store. Since the photo box wasn't tall enough to fill up the shelf, the charger also helps take up what would be a lot of empty space above it, which is very pleasing to the eye when looking at the whole unit from the front.

The next shelf up contains a couple of antique store books ($2.00 each) and a mirrored photo frame (Hobby Lobby - $7.00). Inside the frame is a vintage Bingo playing card. (Available at LetteredCottageHome.com) To the right of the frame is an old jar I bought years ago at a flea market for $1.00. I love its rusty lid! I filled it with teeny, tiny white rocks that I got from IKEA. In front of the jar I placed a white "pencil" starfish that came from a store in Pensacola, Florida...

I bought the books not only because I liked their color, but I was also drawn to their titles. The bottom book is called, "Give us our Dream", and the top book is called "Fade out the Stars".

The shelf above that holds the first part of our CD collection. The storage boxes came from IKEA...



The top shelf holds a white ceramic jug from HomeGoods ($4.99) and a white plant pot (TJ Maxx - $7.99). This is the pot I need to get a plant for. In front of the white pieces I used a large wooden ball I bought at a flea/antique mall for $5.00...



On the top of the bookcase, I attached a bookcase light from IKEA. I believe it cost around $12.99. We LOVE the ambiance they create at night!



In the bridging shelf, that spans between the two bookcases, I used a row of IKEA baskets. They were $6.99 a piece. They hold extension cords, extra candles, tape, a flashlight and other things I may want to have easy access to, but don't necessarily want to see all the time...



I used a grouping of the wooden spools I got the other day at the Endless Yard Sale, a rust-colored wire jug (TJ Maxx $4.99), and my new sailboat from Rhoda, on top of the shelf.

The bookcase on the right has an identical bookcase light...





The top shelf of the bookcase holds a set of three white ceramic candleholders I scored for $5.00 (total) on the Endless Yard Sale. (These are the ones I need candles for) I also used a plant from IKEA, inside small white pot (also from IKEA). I nestled the pot inside a small burlap bag I got at an antique store (for $3.00), just to add some more texture...



On the shelf below that, is the rest of our CD collection...



The middle shelf displays a brushed silver frame (Hobby Lobby) and a quotecard that reads, "Laughter is like sunshine in the house". In front of the smooth, shiny frame, I added some more contrasting texture in the form of a large, rope knot (TJ Maxx - $4.99)...



Beneath the middle shelf, I lined up our collection of Pottery Barn books. (HUGE thanks to a reader of mine who sent me four of them!) I removed the rainbow-colored dustcovers that originally came on each of them, because I thought their dusty, chocolate brown spines were a better fit for the palette in our living room...



I used two wooden buoys (that I got from TJ Maxx for $4.99 a piece) as bookends for the PB books. When I bought them, the top half was painted "baby pink", and the bottom half was "rose". I covered the rose with Sherwin Williams' "Foggy Day". (which I'm also using on my Dining Room chairs) I covered the baby pink with Delta Ceramcoat's "Antique White"- which is a craft paint from Michaels. I used a thick, silver paint pen to draw a line between the two colors, to add a little bling, and speak to the mirrored frame on the opposite bookcase.

Last, but not least, the bottom shelf on the right also contains another toy basket...

The TV stand is home to two long rattan baskets which came from an antique store/flea mall. They were $6.99 a piece. They're great for stowing remote controls!

The stand also houses six, white IKEA boxes, that conveniently hide our DVD collection in style...



I am so glad to be almost done with this thing! Give me another couple years and who knows- I may even have a bed in our Master Bedroom. ;-)


Layla


PS...I haven't had time to work on the Design Star challenge this week. I'm still trying to get caught up on design consultations before I start taking new clients this Saturday. FYI- I will only be accepting five consultations per week from now on, so be sure to join me here Saturday morning if you'd like to get in on the action next week!

67 comments:

Lori said...

It looks fantastic, great job.

Baby Sewell Blog said...

LOVE IT and we LOVE IKEA! You are so talented and your house is just gorgeous! I need to contact you in the near future with some help here in our house! ;-)

blushing rose said...

I am not an IKEA person, but I have to give it to you, you did MARVELOUS with this ... funny how a little something will get one motivated ... TTFN ~Marydon

Kelleigh said...

I love this! I really love that entertainment stand. I know that the bookshelves wouldn't work in my room, but the stand itself would. I've decided that my next major furniture purchase will be an entertainment stand (as shown in your consultation). I've been looking at some at Cost Plus World Market for a couple of years, now. I'm waiting for the sale! But, you know how you suggested a sofa table behind the sofa, but we've been using ours for an entertainment stand? Well, I'm going to use that as the sofa table once we get a new stand, and maybe even paint it blue! I'm so excited!

Amy said...

Y - U - M - M - Y !!!!!!

Thanks so much for showing the details, and your thoughts on displaying...I am so bad at that! I know what I like, I just get in a rut sometimes... thanks for taking the time and effort to take us through this.

You're AMAZING!!

The Flying Bee said...

I love it! Can you believe that I have never even been to an IKEA! I am really missing out! Those were some great finds.

Beautiful job! Thanks for sharing!

Elizabeth said...

Looks like a pic from the Pottery Barn store. I love that and didn't know Ikea sold items like that. I always that they had industrial and funky type furnishings. Whoa heading over to the website now! Great job!

Susy said...

It looks so good! Thanks for inspiring me. I hate empty or messy bookshelves, and you managed to store essential things while making it look great too. I think it's time to tackle my new bookcase I've been avoiding for 2 months!

geri said...

Layla.
Beautious!!
I love how you create warm and unique spaces and areas on a small budget and get such BIG results.
I love IKEA and as you have proven, can use their products and make them your own style.
I think that money can buy a lot of "things", but it is vision and talent, and passion for decorating that makes the "things" come alive, especially while doing it on a budget.
Can't wait to see your Garage Space design.Geri.
p.s. just finished The Fixer Upper and loved it.

{oc cottage} said...

Great look!

m ^..^

tabitha said...

i really like the look and feel of your collection. like the combination of texture and colour, nicely detailed without being distracting, which is key when the decor surrounds a tv! very smart, clean, warm and interesting!

Melissa Stover said...

i love it. the accessories are perfect.

Anonymous said...

It just makes me smile! I love how everything just flows and works together....perfect!

Kristin said...

So cute!! I tossed my PB dustjackets too earlier this summer for display in my living room--isn't the embossed creamy linen cover just yummy?!!

Love your site!

Kristin @ Domestic Ease

www.domesticease.com

Anonymous said...

I really love your mix of natural/wood elements, mixed with cooler white accents. So beautiful! I am working on a similar look in our house. It's so calming :)

Sarah said...

Beautiful! But what is this that I hear about you not having a bed in your bedroom?! Please tell us more!

Sarah said...

does not even look Ikea, awesome!

Sarah said...

Hey, Layla!! The EU looks amazing! You definitely found the fine line between storing stuff and just making the whole thing look aesthetically pleasing, hard to do but you nailed it! Love all the texture and layering. We have a similiar entertainment center (bottom console and cabinets, side and top bookcase but its black and from JCP) and I'm still not done figuring out what to put in mine either (a year later). Thanks for the inspiration:)

Aura said...

Okay I hate you for this entertainment center, right now. My big Pottery Barn shelves and our entertainment center area have been my biggest heartbreaks of my life because I can NOT get them right. Yours looks perfect!! Maybe I need to just clear them off and start from scratch.

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

-You did great Layla!

Tracy Watier said...

Really nice, Layla! Well-balanced and organized and fun too!

Momsy said...

Simply lovely. One of the things I cannot do is accessorize my bookshelves. Next time you're in central FL, please stop by!

Missy said...

I am loving your E-center. looks so warm and you did a great job accessorizing it :) thanks for sharing!

Shanty 2 Chic said...

Love it! The sail boat is great and I love ideas for hiding toys! - Ashley - shanty2chic

Hepburn Hilton said...

so beautiful! how did you get the photo on the box? is there are tutorial in this blogs future?? :)

Girl with the Curlz said...

Love the sailboat!! It looks great on the entertainment center. Everything looks so cute. Gotta love Ikea.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Resourceful, organizational, nice looking! Great work!!

joanbayonne said...

I wish I had an ounce of talent you have. If this was in my living room I would stare at it for hours. Great Job!

Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst said...

This is a great example of a stylish yet functional bookcase. Well done!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

Looks lovely! I think that sailboat is a show stopper!

The Blushing Hostess said...

This is so well thought out, nevermind the wiseness of the money spent. If only I had a second to concentrate on such a project... well done. Living vicariously though you now...

stephanie h said...

I love it! Seriously! And that sailboat is TDF!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That looks like something right out of a magazine - you are very talented! :) I love the rattat baskets.

Joy Beadworks said...

You mak it look so easy! I habe to visit IKEA more often...

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Nice use of textures. Thanks for sharing the details. Very pretty. Love your unique finds like the BINGO cards. Like those little Ikea bookcase lights too--great to know about.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, I'm SO glad the sailboat found a good home. She's perfect up there! And all those things you picked up on Friday worked out great for your dark cabinet. You did good! It's completely filled now. Ikea really has some great storage pieces.

Chandra said...

Love it, and really like the framed vintage Bingo board!

Southern Aspirations said...

Great job! And thanks for taking us through step by step-- great ideas here.

Sarah said...

I love your accents and ideas! Isn't Ikea a fabulous place? I am dying to get to a Home Goods store, but sounds like I need to save my "allowance" for a while so I can spend big and come home with a lot! ;) Thanks for sharing all the details here!

Nikki Cogg said...

I think Pottery Barn should totally hire you to do their catalogs and store displays!! Everything about your entertainment center makes me happy, and if it were for sale in the store, I'd definitely buy it. I purchased the herb boxes from your store a few weeks ago and I'm seriously like a kid on Christmas waiting for them to arrive!

Hattie said...

I love everything about this! It has such a clean, coastal feel without being too themed. I really like the mix of textures!

Sarah said...

Looks great Layla!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

I adore that $2 sailboat!! Saw it on Rhoda's blog the other day. LOVE!!

Tara said...

Looks great!! love the sailboat, I think that is my favorite thing! You always do so well with your accesorizing... :)

puck said...

Geesh. You got something against pink?

It could get ugly in here. ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey chickadee!
Love the Ikea finds! Arent they the best?! Love the burlap sake around the fake plant! great idea!
toodles-
sarah

Pauline Wiles said...

This is insanely beautiful, I love it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Laurel said...

Looks beyond great Layla! Love all the texture and how everything seems to have a perfect place. I've been following you for over a year now and I love how there is still a mystery about certain parts of your house. Excited to see what's comin' next.

Tricia said...

Fabulous as always Layla- love the DVD boxes, I need to do the same.

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Great job! It looks amazing. And I do love that entertainment unit. That was a great find.

MyFrogs said...

Is that a Min Pin in the tv reflection? A beautiful room and I notice a dog in a reflection! Haha! I've got Min Pins so I was just wondering! :) I love all the storage boxes/baskets! I hate clutter and seeing all the dvds so you've given me some ideas!

chiara said...

I have the exact same IKEA markor configuration. I just got the bridge and I have yet to put it all together with the two bookcases. This was a great preview for what mine will hopefully look like (minus all the cool accessories).

I'm actually thinking of putting painted bead-board at the back of the bookshelves - if I ever get around to it :o)

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

this looks great. i love the layers and textures.

Anonymous said...

We have the same 'uninspired
IKEA TV stand at home...now I have inspiration!! Thanks, Layla!

Anonymous said...

Ok..wait...I can find the TV stand, and the bookcases, but what is the shelf you used? Is it from IKEA too?

Anonymous said...

Where did you get the shelf from? I can't find it on IKEA's site. :-(

Anonymous said...

I have been following your blog for a couple months now and I am addicted to it! You have a great eye for details and I love checking in with you to see what you are up to each day. Thanks for the inspiration. I saw some bouys at TJMaxx similar to your bookends and they had a painted number on the lower portion and when I saw them I thought of YOU b/c of your love of all things lettered and numbered. The unit looks great! I LOVE the wooden spools and boat on top.

The Green Pea said...

You have some fun displays and you are a good shopper. I really like the plant in the burlap bag. Sandi

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your entertainment unit and taking the time to point out the little details of how you put it together.

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

Looks awesome Layla! I especially love the burlap sack plant cozy. You've been a busy girl! Keep it going on...

~Misti

Rebecca Corvese said...

Very cute! Shows you what a little ingenuity and elbow grease can get you! I love the nautical look, as long as it's not too obvious!

Anonymous said...

It's poyfect in every way!

If you are serious about 5 miles a day (approx 10,000 steps) start with walking 1 mile daily and add 1/2 - 1 mile each week to 10 days. You can do it! I do.

jennyd said...

I've just recently discovered your blog and I must admit that I'm hooked! Your wall unit looks fantastic and it was a great tutorial you gave on how you did it. Now I'm inspired to "dress up" the bookcases around my home. Thank you!

Tricia - Avolli said...

This is very impressive! I LOVE how you incorporated these finds into your room. It is completely inspirational to see how some apparently random items can not only come together, but really pull it all together! Congratulations.

Tricia

Anonymous said...

SOOOOOO pretty! Love your yard sale finds. Those spools are the best...

Laurie said...

GREAT job accessorizing! I have three sets of enormous built in bookcases that sit empty in my house because I loathe to take the time and effort. The only way I can identify what I like and don't like is looking at other people's creations :) Thanks for the inspiration (although I don't think I'll get brave enough anytime soon to start my own.)

Anonymous said...

Hey I just love your center! I was looking for the above peice but cant find it on there site?! Could you email me the name of it! thanks

toodles-
Sarah