Ian and I joined my Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Jimmy for dinner at Brio in the South Park area of Charlotte. We started off the evening on the patio having some cocktails and enjoying the live music. You can't get much better than that! For dinner I had the most delicious lobster ravioli, and of course we all took down a couple of bottles of chianti.
Saturday morning, Ian and I were up early to tackle the new media center that we purchased for our living room. I got this piece on Overstock and was comforted by the positive reviews that it would be a good piece.
I read that it took about 45 minutes to put it together, but it took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes. No biggie, we were having fun, goofing off, and refilling our coffee cups from time to time. It was a fairly easy process since the pieces were all numbered and well organized. So far, so good. (Do you get the idea that this story is going to take a dramatic turn for the worse??)
So we got it all complete and stood it up to move it to the wall where it would be placed. Only one {slightly major} issue:
Oh gracious. That thing is just terribly small. Ian and I were so upset. All of that work, and for nothing!
Our options were to take it apart, piece by piece, bolt by bolt, and pay to return it to Overstock {okay, we knew that wasn't really an option we wanted to do} or just to list it on Craigs List and try to get a little bit of money out of it. UGH.
But then I had an idea. What if we can buy replacement legs for the piece? We hit up Lowe's, and sure enough, we found wooden legs about 18" high and purchased them along with a can of satin black spray paint. After a couple of coats and some overnight drying time, here's what we were looking at on Sunday:
Not too shabby! The TV will be mounted above it and each side will be flanked by the speakers that you see over on the left-hand side of the picture. The wires will of course be concealed.
In fact, I like these new legs much more than the too-short legs. They add an antique quality to the piece and they also look good with the other more feminine details of this piece, like the below medallion on the apron:
So, what do you think?
Today I leave for Dallas to visit a client and I'll also be in planes tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday! Now, I need your book suggestions -- I'm currently reading One Day by David Nicholls but I just really don't know if I'm digging it. I'm about halfway done with it, but I just feel like it's dragging. I'd like to download another book or two on my Kindle to start reading. Please let me know what you've been loving!
I love your "use your imagination" picture hahahahaha, it looks like you really DIY-d that into a beautiful piece!! I'm impressed!
ReplyDeletelooks fabulous girl :) xo
ReplyDeleteOkay, so clearly I have to address the most important part of this post -- your aunt.
ReplyDeleteCLEARLY she is your hot mothers hot sister! Geez girl... can you stop pulling out all of these amazing looking ageless beauties in your family? I mean, I'm getting really jealous of how you'll look in 25 years and it's hurting my ego in an intense way.
For pure vanity reasons, I'm not sure we can be friends...
LOL!!!
Okay, moving on.
You are a DIY goddess! I've said it 10 times and I'll say it a bazillion more -- You really are a real world Martha Stewart! Love your creativity and your final results... Come to my house, pah-leeeeeease!!!
That was a great idea to add longer legs to it! I didn't really get into One Day either. I recently finished The Soldier's Wife, which I enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteWow, it came out really great with the leg addition!
ReplyDeletePS - did I tell you that Kevin knows of your Aunt through the business? I bet your Aunt knows his Dad too. Small world. And I have this feeling I've already told you this but can't remember!
What a great idea! I would have never thought of that. My TV stand is also too short. Might just have to try your suggestion :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda
{Come give me some inspiration: http://littlemrsfendercantbewrong.blogspot.com/}
LOVE the new set up!
ReplyDeleteAs for books, I've hear a lot of people raving about "The Help," from Oprah's book club. I have not read it though. However, my all time favorite book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. If you haven't read it, you should! :)
I agree with Kate! lol Too funny!
ReplyDeleteYour media center turned out so nice! I love that you added the legs, and you're right it does make it look antique-like!
Oh wow, I'm loving the legs! They made such a big difference and look ten times better! Smart idea! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the new "legs!" ANNDDD have so much fun in Dallas! :-) I feel like it is your kind of city!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHere are a few books I have read in the past few months. Loved them all!
ReplyDeleteThe Bridal Quartet by Nora Roberts ( 4 short books )
ROOM by Emma Donaghue
A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
Something Borrowed and Heart of the Matter by Emily Griffin
NEVER in a million years would have thought to do that! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that looks awesome, what a great solution!!
ReplyDeleteIf you still need help with pillows,let me know, I might be able to help you! :)
I LOVE IT!! You are so smart April!! And I just finished The Swan House by Elizabeth Messer last week and loved it!!
ReplyDeletePS--I wish I could get ready with hot curlers, it's so fun but my hair won't hold a curl for anything!!
ReplyDeletewhat a great save for the entertainment unit, how creative of you, it really is the perfect height for the space!
ReplyDeleteNice save with the entertainment unit! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteApril, I love this post! You are so funny and I love your creativity! The entertainment unit looks perfect with just the right sized legs! :) Hope you have a wonderful time in Dallas. xo
ReplyDeleteWow that is impressive!! It looks great.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with the DIY! I like it better with the legs, it looks fab!
ReplyDeleteLiz
My Life. I Guess.
Your too much chianti title cracks me up, been there! :)
ReplyDeleteSOOOO impressed, April! I would never have thought of adding legs to it, but voila, it looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love the addition of longer legs onto the media center. Kudos to you for thinking of that...I'm not sure I'd be that inventive. It looks perfect for that spot now!
ReplyDelete