"M" is for Media #2

Build: media unit

With 8 doors of hidden storage underneath:

A request from a school friend for her family room.

The complete unit is 9 feet long and 7 feet tall.

The middle base cabinet is 19" deep and 16" on the side bases, you can see the the middle juts out a bit here:

Simple bookshelves on the sides and a bridge unit above the tv with cove moulding complete the unit:

To make this build I took bits and pieces of plans from Ana White.

Her benchmark media console became the middle base cabinet:
(modified for 4 doors, no drawers)

+

benchmark media tower is the side base pieces:

(used the base portion only and modified for 2 doors)

+

media hutch is the bridge unit:

(bridge portion modified for 2 open shelves)

The unit is composed of 6 separate pieces which made delivery easier.

Some progress pics:
(more progress and building info in my post here)

I used my Kreg jig for a majority of the joints:

And a lot of pocket hole plugs:

Which led to the purchase of a new tool, the Ryobi cordless multi-tool.

It makes flush cuts and you'll need this to remove any excess plug sticking up from the pocket hole:

In no time that protruding plug will be gone:

For a little DIY video on this very topic checkout Sandra from Sawdust & Paperscraps.

I primed one coat Zinsser oil based cover stain then two coats Benjamin Moore high gloss enamel in

 white.

And used Martha Stewart polished chrome knobs from Home Depot.  

These knobs are a tiny bit smaller at 7/8" diameter which felt right for the doors:

A big, fun project that will get lots of good use and I hope that family will enjoy their new media unit for years to come.

I'm linking up to:

DIY Talent Parade @ Pretty Handy Girl

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
All Things Furniture @ Perfectly Imperfect
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
POWW @ Primitive & Proper

"P" is for Progress

Build: media unit progress report

A bit out of the ordinary for me to share an uncompleted project but this is one massive piece at
9 feet long and 7 feet high, it's a monster of a storage unit:

A custom build for a family from school, this will be going in their family room to house not only the tv but store all those toys and games out of sight, behind the doors:

And with the added bookshelves and bridge unit there will be a bit of 'adult storage' as well for books, decorative items and such.

I took bits and pieces of plans from Ana White.

Her benchmark media console:
(modified for 4 doors, no drawers)

+

benchmark media tower:

(used the base portion only and modified for 2 doors)

+

media hutch:

(bridge portion modified for 2 open shelves)

The unit is composed of 6 separate pieces which makes delivery much, much easier.  

Once in place the top units will be secured to the bottom pieces with mending plates on the backs.

We took inspiration from the media cabinet makeover by Honey We're Home:

Although theirs is built in and this unit will be free standing.

Off to finish the missing doors, moulding and backing, then shop for hardware and paint.

Anyone want to help paint this massive beast?

UPDATED: To see the finished piece click here.

"U" is for Update

Finally we have some real progress to update the blog. Despite the electrical taking forever to complete all is moving smoothly now. Walls are sealed up, floor has been installed, cabinets are in, painting is in progress. A few before and current photos:


The island is in but the counter surface is temporary until the granite arrives:

Same view as above:

View from basement door:

View from front door:

Next up, refinishing the entire first floor wood floors and stairs which means we are moving out next week for a week.

"C" is for Cabinets

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since the cabinet delivery from Ikea and I've completed what I can. Of course there are 3 big boys that need to be modified by the contractor and the fan cabinet will need a hole cut before assembly plus no doors are on but all is ready for installation! Honestly it was not hard, just a small learning curve and I was on my way. Makes me want to order more - just need to figure out where I would put them. Hopefully we start demo in one week.

Hey Mom, "that's my letter"

Looking for a name for my etsy shop I heard my son say, "Hey Mom, that's my letter" and there it was, his letter and the name for my shop. Right now the shop is strictly letters (http://www.thatsmyletter.etsy.com/) but who knows what the future will bring.

So I decided to title my blog the same name because isn't everyday all about the kids? Usually. The main reason behind the blog is a place for me to update family and friends about the goings on in our soon to be renovated kitchen and daily life as we all live hundreds of miles apart.


So it begins:


That's right - 144 flat packed boxes and hardware from Ikea. I know I'm capable of putting together almost any Ikea product so this should be no problem. I'm up for the challenge and will do anything to keep cost down.

That was last Wednesday. I'm giving myself until Friday - 9 days to complete the cabinet construction. Keep your fingers crossed!
Letter Lady