Colonial Built-Ins: After
Who: Richard B.
Where: Cedarburg, Wisc.
The wall where the fireplace was located was removed to the studs so that electrical outlets could be easily added. I built the cabinets in my basement shop. The raised-panel doors match the profile of the wainscoting. The right base cabinet houses a TV that rises through the countertop of the cabinet using a remote-controlled motorized lift. The left base cabinet is filled with firewood through a large fire-rated door in the back (into the garage). A natural fireplace insert was installed into the existing fireplace. The blue walls are Venetian plaster polished using steel wool, then coated with liquid beeswax and shined with a buffing wheel.
Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.
Cost: About $10,000 to $25,000