Hiding the ugly

When we first walked through our house (with the owner's stuff in it), there were a lot of things we didn't notice until it was bare (and OURS).  One of them was down in the playroom.  Here's how it looked during that first walk-through...



Nice striped curtains (which I begged the owner to leave) and pretty french doors.  Thanks to Chadly, the popcorn ceiling would soon be gone and 6 recessed lights would go in.  But it wasn't until move-in day that I walked down the hallway and noticed something I hadn't before: the electrical panel. 



Of course! It had been hiding behind that big picture she had in the corner.  I've seen people paint their panels before, but I liked the idea of a poster-size picture there.  But I figured a nice quality frame that size (it needed tp be a 24x36), with actual glass, and a mat would be pretty pricey.  I looked around and they weren't bad, but most didn't come with a mat.  So I was pleasantly surprised to find this one at Michael's for $19.99!  Too bad I didn't have a coupon!!  I was planning on adding my own DIY art, so I didn't even notice the leafy print it came with until Chad said he liked it.  Hmm.  Might have to leave it awhile. 

Voila!  Ugly panel hidden! 




SO... onto the "keepin' it real" part of things.  I have to come clean about how the room looks.  Let's call this a "transition stage."  A month ago, Chad hung the TV on the wall and we had a nice downstairs movie area (minus the comfy couch, beanbags, etc.)  So pretty much just picture the 4 of us sitting on hard, wood chairs, trying to snuggle from afar.  Yeah, pretty comfy.



Anyway, I finally just got around to painting (or re-painting, I should say) after the recessed light/drywall/taping/mudding/texturing thing was complete.  That's why everything shifted around. So now we can finally finish installing one of my Ikea purchases... a TV/bookcase unit (in gray-brown). We realized the TV would have to be re-hung lower to fit in the space between the new stand and the upper "bridging" cabinet.  So that's what Chad is working on now.  And he's adding an outlet so when we hang the TV, the cord will plug in directly behind it.  Once the TV is ready to hang, we'll attach the cabinets to the wall and fill 'em up with video boxes, board games, etc.  Oh, but I need to put a second coat of paint on the ceiling too.  NOT looking forward to that.  And figure out some seating.  And re-hang the curtains.  And decorate!  And Chad has some outlets to fix in the corner where the new frame is (notice a TOWEL stuffed into an empty hole? Yep. It's to block the serious draft that comes in. Ghetto!)



And I have something up my sleeve for that corner by the laundry room. Oh, and we have plans for the laundry room too, but that will have to wait awhile. 


The mess in our hallway... video boxes that will go back in the cabinets, toys, etc. My poor mom, who spent hours ironing my Pottery Barn curtains, will be horrified to see them in a (sort of neat) pile in the music room. Sorry Mom! 


Anyway, back to my picture...


Yep, I like it. : )  Oh, and I'm having a friend over on Friday, so this room is about to look a whole lot better.