Before and After: Living Room Built-ins

We have some exciting new house developments going on lately! One of the biggest challenges we faced when moving in was our living room. It is wide like side-to-side, but narrow front-to-back. Plus, there is literally no wall space for a TV besides above the fireplace. So we knew that we faced a furniture/layout issue right away and decided that while it would look better to perhaps do a loveseat and two chairs facing each other, function and comfort called for a L-shape. Like so:

We actually had a hard time finding a couch that would fit. Most sectionals, it turns out, are giant. But that's not what this post is about. No, this post is about that far wall, with the big window and lone radiator:

With just a couch and a coffee table in this room so far, something significant was really needed on this wall to bring the room together. I took to Pinterest and found this:

Sooo lovely. I gave the picture to Jason and said, "Let's see it honey!" :) And here we are, several months later, and boy do I see it! What he did is amazing!

Here's the official "before":

And "after"!

The radiator is built in under the window seat - he used some silver grating that looks fantastic. And all the woodwork and moldings...gold star for Jason! Here are some more photos of the process...

 

And the finished product:

My job was mostly limited to finding the fabric for the bench cushion. Oh, and picking the handles on the cabinets. I still need to get to Home Goods to find some pillows for the window seat, get some little knick knacks, organize the books, and "style" the shelves, but otherwise, all done! It warms up our living room like you can't believe and I'm totally in love. But no rest for the weary, Jason already knows what his next project is (built in closets for our bedroom). The house list marches on!

p.s. seriously can you believe Jason did this? Based on my inspiration picture? xo honey, X...O. Now can you take the air conditioner out of that window? It's an eyesore in my photos ;)