Entertainment Center for the Den

For 5 years, we've lived without a mantle around the fireplace, or a cabinet for the TV, mainly because we couldn't come up with a design that we both liked. Melissa really wanted a wrap-around mantel, but the fireplace is too close to the opening for the TV, and we struggled with thinking up a design that would look good.

Luckily, our neighbor, Michael, came up with a design that would solve all those problems (he has the same model as our house, so he faced the same issues). And, even more lucky, he was willing to share his plans with us. So, we're working together to build one for each of our houses at the same time.

Michael liked the look of the "Mission" style bookshelves pictured in The Family Handyman magazine, shown below. So, he took the column elements from that to surround the TV-opening, and repeated the column and arch elements over the fireplace (refer to the blueprint below to see how this will look). Our finished unit will continue along the perpendicular wall (the cream-colored wall in our "Before" picture below); we'll repeat the design from the section around the fireplace on that wall.

	Michael based the design for our wall unit on these bookshelves, pictured in the January 2003 issue of The Family Handyman.
	This blueprint shows the design for our "main" wall (where the TV and fireplace are). Our finished unit will continue along the perpendicular wall (the cream-colored wall in our "Before" picture below); we'll repeat the design from the section around the fireplace.

Before

Work In Progress

Week 1:

	We're still at the point of trying to figure out all the dimensions. We made a couple models to see how the columns will look next to the fireplace, to try and decide how wide we want them.
	Michael and Erik hard at work.
	Here's the model for the right edge of the wall unit, which shows the height of this section of the unit.

Week 2:

	Now we've cut out a model for the top piece that will sit above the columns.
	Top piece model - full view.
	Building the infrastructure for the top box.
	Sanding the infrastructure for the top box.
	Installing the top box infrastructure.
	Top box infrastructure installed, with column model.
	The guys taped the column model to the top box infrastructure, to give an idea of how it will look once complete. Next step is to build the bottom box infrastucture. For that, Erik will have to remove the tile from the fireplace and pull back the carpet. We enter the messy phase...

Week 3:

	Demolition Phase. This week's focus is to remove the baseboards & the tile from around the fireplace, to make way for the base infrastructure. So, here's Erik chiseling away at the tile.
	Melissa was roped into removing the base boards.
	Finally, all the top and side pieces are gone (along with a fair portion of the drywall beneath it), now let's get the tile off the floor.
	Given the amount of drywall that was ripped out, the guys decided to remove it all and replace it with tile backing board.

Week 4:

	Now that the demolition is complete & the tile and carpet are out of the way, the guys are able to install the column and bottom infrastructure.
	Installing the column infrastructure.
	Installing the column infrastructure.
	The column infrastructure is in place, and if you look to the right of the picture, the bottom infrastructure is installed as well.
	Planning for the next phase: step 1 is figuring out the height of the mantel.
	This is the height of the mantel. Imagine that line stretching all the way to the end of the wall.
	Now the infrastructure for the other two shorter columns has been installed.
	Infrastructure for the other two shorter columns.
	The first bits of Oak are now on.

Week 6:

	In Week 5, the oak came in, so the guys spent time cutting all the boards and matching the planks; no pictures of that. This week, they spent a lot of time preparing the pieces, and then cut the arch for the section that will go above the fireplace.
	Cutting the arch.
	The fireplace arch.
	The fireplace arch.

Week 7:

This week, the guys built the arch for the opposing wall. So, now the infrastructure is complete.

Week 8:

	Between weeks 7 and 8, the guys spent a day wiring the electrical for the lights that will go beneath the mantle. Next, they installed the additional vertical supports and the back boards.
	From a different angle...

Week 9:

	The guys have been busy with cub scout activities and the craziness that accompanies the end of the school year, so progress has slowed down. The only thing added here is the oak boards along the bottom.
	From a different angle...

Week 10:

	Now, they're framing in the back of the nook, to make it look like the inside of an armoir.
	Nail guns sure do come in handy.
	Michael's holding the board flush while Erik puts in the nails.
	Erik left Michael holding the top piece while he ran to the garage to unclog the nail gun.

Week - ??? I lost track:

	The guys took a really long break, and I lost track of the weeks. When they did get together, they worked in small chunks. During that time, I lagged behind in taking pictures, so this shows work done over several months. They've finished the inside of the nook.
	Inside of the nook.
	And, they added "footers".

Week - ??? does it really matter?... it's been nearly a year now:

	Here they're inserting a pvc pipe that will be inside the column to give access to the gas valve for the fireplace.
	Erik is securing the pvc pipe in place. The key for the gas valve will be lengthened to go through the pipe to the valve.
	And, this weekend, they put up the long boards that will be the inside of the main columns.

Getting Closer

	Today, they worked on the infrastructure for the bottom cabinets. First, they put in the top support.
	Next came the front panels.
	Another view of the front panels. Eventually, there will be doors on these panels.
	Bottom cabinets complete - except for doors.
	Just need doors on the bottom cabinets, a shelf in the top half, and the columns in place. And, of course, lots of trim to be done. Woo hoo, so close I can almost see it!

Over two years now.

	They've worked on it a few times since my last post, but I didn't take pictures. They added the pretty oak faces to all the columns, put in the face piece at the end and in the corner. Then they started working on the detailing. Last week, they added the trim pieces at the top, just below the mantle. This week, they put in the lower shelf and the trim on the facing edge of the shelf.
	Here's a closeup of the trim work and shelves. (The blue tape will come off. It's just holding the wood in place until the glue dries.) Mike's wife has given them a deadline of Christmas, so they have about 3 months to get it done.