Project Basement Makeover – THE TV + Metal Sideboard
There’s really no good way to start a post out for me, when this is the first picture.
Just in case you’re wondering, that look on my husbands face is:
“Oh my GOSH, she let me do it, I’m seriously rollin’ out of this Costco with 65 inches of high definition, smart TV goodness! How did I win this one?… okay, if I don’t smile or make eye contact with her then she won’t change her mind… just get to the checkout stand as fast as possible, go, go, GO!”
I don’t wanna talk about it.
What’s done is done.
Yeah, so this basement makeover is turning into a bit of a tug-o-war with Cason and I. Normally we don’t have many issues deciding on what goes where, how a wall should be finished or where our budget should be spent… but this time, it’s different. I’m not sure if it’s because the basement is the closest thing that Cason will probably get to a “Man Cave”, or if he just feels like being extra opinionated about everything… nonetheless, a lot of choices in this basement makeover have been his.
While at times I’ve rolled my eyes or raised an eyebrow at a few of our his “final decisions”… I have to say that it’s sort of fun to have a little more opposition this go-around. Sounds weird, I know, but typically Cason is SO easygoing and agreeable, that it’s fun to watch him get all worked up about very specific things in this space; like a SIXTY FIVE INCH TV or even Faux animal print ottomans from The Black Goose Design that he just KNOWS will totally “make the space.” haha! I love this guy.
PS: Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m definitely in love with these funky ottomans too.
๐
Once we had that ridiculous monstrosity TV up on the wall downstairs, I realized that I’d have to find the Mother-of-all sideboards to go under it. We searched for about 3 weeks looking for the perfect piece, when we finally saw this one at a big furniture store nearby.
At first I was hesitant, because it looked sort of Medieval to me with all the metal and exposed studs, but then the more I looked at it… it grew on me. We don’t have ANYTHING like this in the rest of our home, so I thought it would be fun to try something new and different for a change. Cason of course loved it right off the bat.
Once we got this bad boy home, we had to do a little surgery on it.
Tell me he doesn’t look a bit crazy in this picture…
lol
Really, all we did was drill one big, 2 inch hole around the back of the sideboard to make room for wires and such. Then we used some thick electrical tape to wrap around the raw cut edge, so nobody would hurt themselves if they stuck their hand by the hole.
Well, after buying our new movie theater screen TV, sideboard and “needing” a new sound system to actually make the television worth even having… take a look at what our budget left us with for furniture!
You know you wanna Pin this picture… go ahead, I’ll wait.
Okay, okay, we’ve actually got some pieces on order, tentatively coming at the end of next month… just in enough time to save up some more $$$ hopefully. I’ll be sharing our inspiration for those in our next post!
In closing, even though the TV seems sort of ridiculous (to me), and I may or may not still have some hesitation about our sturdy, metal-mania sideboard, the amount of use we’ve already gotten out of them, and crazy-awesome dance games and funny movies we’ve been able to enjoy with both… sort of make it all worth it.
I mean, look at Grandma go!
#dancingqueen
Do you ever struggle with your significant other’s design choices or opinions when decorating a space?
Jenny @ Simcoe Street says
The big tv is kind of awesome. I bet you'll love it!
Jenny
http://Www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
Kelsey Diane says
Loved this post ๐
I often struggle with my husband when it comes to design decisions and he loves it as much as I do but we both have different visions! Ahh! Luckily though we usually end up compromising pretty well and our two design visions usually create one awesome room ๐
libbywilko says
I think it must be a male thing …. My hubby was the same, easy going until it came to the big tv and good stereo to make it be like going to the movies ๐ can't wait to see how the room turns out when the rest of the furniture arrives.
Unknown says
Always good to see people have their priorities in order ๐ TV first worry about the chairs after, even the floor will do until then.
Lucy Gatwick
lori_r8 says
Oh my goodness..you are hilarious! Or is it that we have had the exact same situation numerous times in our household!? I can relate my dear! Thanks for a good giggle this morning ๐ The basement is looking great!
Unknown says
All the time!! My hubby questions everything thing I do! He gives in most of the time (but not every time) but he puts up a good fight!
Our basement is one of those things…he keeps saying "just let me have one space in this house" hahahaha!!!
Sheri says
This is so funny. What is up with men and their huge TV's? But once you get used to it, there really is no way to go back!
Andrea says
We are lucky enough to have a theatre room in our home, yet I am unlucky enough to have to decorate around a huge screen, massive speakers and a subwoofer. I am feeling your pain. However, it is fun decorating a more manly, industrial inspired space, just like yours. We went with an industrial-esque sideboard, and I'm having fun with some funky elements in the room. I say embrace it and have fun with it! It's definitely a contrast to my cottage-inspired home!
Unknown says
I absolutely love that piece! Maybe go in the Steampunk direction with it! Bring in a cool old clock (you can grab a huge one at Home Goods, TJ…) Masculine with a feminine touch. There are a lot of inspirations. Apothecary jars, cool embellished metal box to hide those hideous remotes…lol I am drooling and hope to see when it's finished. just sayin…:)
Ellen Kepas says
If it were up to my husband, we'd have car posters throughout our home! Ha,ha. He's picky about sofas and the matress on our bed. When we're shopping for either of these items, I have to accept that it will take multiple shopping trips. He will personally "test" a bazillion different kinds of sofas or mattresses. It's exhausting but we're both always happy in the end!
The Yoder's Five says
HA!!! Men and their TVs!! Oh yes, this is me and my husband. I want everything painted white–he wants dark wood. I prefer good taste, he prefers comfort (recliners, ugly office chairs…). If we had a basement, this exact scenario would happen. We'd have a Video Game Man Cave Extraordinaire. Sigh.
leafmaverick says
This is so funny as we are currently doing our basement as well and I am told that we are getting nothing smaller than a 72 inch TV. I do get whatever I want in the rest of the house (usually) so i am trying very hard not to say anything…BUT….72 inches??? seriously? right now we also have folding chairs down there "waiting" for more disposable cash! good luck
Unknown says
Everyone thought I was crazy when I let my husband pick the new paint color for the bathroom, but I actually like what he chose. Of course, I gave him a handful of paint chips to choose from that I had already pre-selected. So, that might be cheating a little. LOL!
Anonymous says
That is the exact type of console / tv stand I've been looking for! If you have any more specifics on this piece of furniture please share! Oh, and BTW my husband wanted a red leather sofa and cowhide rug in our finishes basement! So your not alone with decorating disagreements.
Jessica T. says
Oh boy do WE struggle with HIS decor choices… Dead animals. Nuff Said! HATE THEM!! Ugh.
Our Pinteresting Family says
We sometimes have disagreements at first but in the end we end up agreeing. ๐ I think that sideboard looks great…can't wait to see what else you two come up with.
Dan and Emily says
Yes!!!! I love this post!!! I totally understand this man process when it comes to the basement and tvs!!!!!
Meghan says
Oh goodness! The pictures with those outdoor chairs made me laugh!
Mercedes Conde says
My husband is the most opinionated man I've ever met. We have argued a lot and I've learned to be patient and deal with his "back and forth" before making a decision. Finding a place in the middle where we both could be happy hasn't been easy. After seven years we are getting a little bit tired of defending our positions and we are now more flexible, so he sometimes lets me do my thing and sometimes I don't question his ideas…!!!
,jkh says
Yes I do! we often clash because he would love to live in a house from the 1810's with ONLY a wood burning stove. "who needs electricity?" he says ๐ and i would love to live in Mandy's house from Vintage Revivals.com. You can see our dilema. But as we take the time to work together we realize that we like the combined effort look WAY better than if one of us just did our style ๐ I hope it works out the same for you!
Anonymous says
Love this! I get what you mean about your husband having an opinion. My husband always agrees with everything that I do in our house & he loves it all. I looove when he has input, opinions, & when he comes up with his own plans and ideas. I think it makes it all more special ๐ The space is looking great! I love the progress on the basement. xx Liz Marie
Shannon says
Too funny! I'm glad to see a little cow hide make it to your casa! I'm from Texas, live in the country, and girl I love cow hide. I'm also totally in love with your sideboard. My hubby and I love that metal edge with rivets. Our style is evolving into more of a shabby cottage style (like your living room) with the rustic edge of your basement. Needless to say I have LOTS of rooms to redo!
Sharmela & Pete says
I loose the TV war every.single.freaking.time! But I pretty much get my way on everything else. It evens out I guess…
Unknown says
So, question about how you installed your tv… Mine will not lay flat against the wall, does yours? I'm wondering if there is a better wall mount to use, but I can't put a frame around the tv unless the tv is flat…any help?
Unknown says
This cracked me up! A) Because the monologue of walking out with the TV would totally be us, and B) because my husband told me a couple of months ago that I get the whole house with no argument, so I no longer have any decorating say in the basement ๐ I had to agree he was right, but I still sneak pieces in and out and he usually comes around to my ideas anyway ๐ Can't wait to see how it turns out! I LOVE the sideboard!
Susan says
LOL we have that TV as well-it's a guy thing at first, but HGTV shows and Downton Abbey are spectacular on a big screen ๐
Hubby and I discuss a LOT before any big purchase/redecorating. We just finished up rehabbing our 1948 built house, and most of the time we were on the same page.
Our biggest challenge is that he is an unorganized SAVER, and I am the organized non-saver. Makes life interesting ๐
Carrie says
Ha! My husband installs home theatres for a living. In our first house we had a high defintiion projector screen TV that was 120 inches–he had it framed out so it looked really nice, but decorating around it wasn't going to happen. In our next two houses we had a 72 inch screen with 13.2 surround sound (that means 13 speakers built around the room and ceiling and 2 subwoofers). I'm not allowed to put anything on the wall where 5 speakers surround the TV!
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
Oh, my hubby would totally be green with envy over that TV! I, on the other hand, am LOVING that sideboard! We have been in search for the perfect piece for under our TV for a few months; this has inspired me to search harder! ๐ Hope you're having a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
SarahN @ livetolist says
The photo at the end is by FAR the best. Funny post, I loved it.
Unknown says
I love how the man cave is turning into a family entertainment room, for all to love and share! And I love the rustic look that you all are planning on doing down there. It's definitely different than all the other pieces in your home and I love it ๐ I guess no marriage can be perfect in every way shape and form. Everyone has their differences when it comes to SOMETHING ๐
Ruth says
All.The.Time. Partly because he likes straight lines and I like curves, but also because he doesn't think things through. We cleaned the garage once together, and he carefully put all the children's outdoor toys in a nice big box – and then stacked a wheelbarrow and rakes and brooms in front of it.
Looks like your basement is big enough to handle the 65" TV. Friends of mine had one and you had to sit against the far wall in order to view it properly.
Unknown says
I feel like you just wrote a post about my life! Haha. My husband somehow convinced me to buy the Samsung 60" Smart TV this year over Thanksgiving, and man did that thing present a decorating challenge!
We actually ended up buying the Shift Bookcase from Crate & Barrel, tipping it on its side, and using that as our entertainment center for the time being. We weren't ready to splurge on a huge media stand (especially after splurging on the TV!!), and the bookcase was cheap compared to entertainment centers, but REALLY good quality for a bookcase…plus when we do end up buying an actual media stand, I can use the bookshelf somewhere else. Overall, a win win!
Although now seeing your sideboard, I'm having a tinge of media stand envy ๐ It's looking great!
( kirstenerickson.blogspot.com/2013/03/television-tales.html)
Ruthanne says
My hubby is normally really easy-going about decorating, too. He became obsessed about his new TV and surround sound. I gave him a hard time at how huge it was. I like the size of it now. We were able to compromise by him letting me pick out the entertainment center, which is my favorite piece of furniture. I think it's great that you're letting him pick some items for the basement. No one will see it as much as the other rooms and he deserves his own space. I'm excited to see the final space. ๐
Lisa @ Cozy Condo Living says
Love it! Hey, at least it's downstairs, right? My husband doesn't watch a lot of TV so that wouldn't be his pick, but he keeps talking about wanting a medieval style mancave when we buy a bigger home. Yikes, I'm nervous. I like the cabinet you chose since it goes with the man cave vibe. You could always spray paint it a fun color.
the nayz says
I have never understood the whole tv thing either. I'm just glad that our basement is set up in a way that doesn't allow a tv THAT big. We always struggle with our design styles. He likes everything neat, clean and tucked behind a door. I like to see things in the open but still organized. We don't have a coffee table or end tables cuz he calls them clutter catchers. We do eventually end up meeting somewhere in the middle.
some kind of wonderful says
ok i seriously laughed out loud at the 3 little blue chairs!! priceless!
Recreate and Decorate says
I honestly have to say no, even after moving into 8 houses in 15 years, gotta love military lifestyle, my hubs has never given a 2 cents of any home decor. In fact I think that may have been an argument or two! I just wish he had an opinion sometimes!!!
Anonymous says
omg that picture at the end made me laugh out loud!! LOL I love the way you write when you strikethrough the things you are thinking! That's the best! LOL Great story!
Lindsay says
That basically sums up my husband and I know when we get around to finishing our basement it will be a battle of the wills because he desperately wants a man cave. But first were renovating our kitchen and I'm hoping he doesn't try to make his "design" opinion known that often lol.
girl3of8 says
Great post, love it. Hubby and I struggle as well with one another's "vision." Unfortunately we end up doing NOTHING. I will try to be more like the rest of you next time!
~Angie says
All the time. I caved in on the TV too as a peace offering, but when it was taking over a year to agree on a comforter for the bedroom, I just bought what I wanted when he wasn't with me. Sometimes we can compromise, other times his choices are so random, that I have to override him.
~Angie says
All the time. I caved in on the TV too as a peace offering, but when it was taking over a year to agree on a comforter for the bedroom, I just bought what I wanted when he wasn't with me. Sometimes we can compromise, other times his choices are so random, that I have to override him.
Katie says
This post made me laugh so hard. Not the usual "LOL" that people say they do, but are they really laughing out loud? No, Actual giggling. Mostly because I was thinking about how overly opinionated my husband is about the decor in our house, and how, as a result, our living room looks like a bachelor pad filled with HEAVY,SQUARE,DARK furniture. I'm just going to stop asking him, that's all there is to it. . .
jmabc says
Oh, we have the 60 inch version of that TV. We love it. I love that sideboard! I can't see what the final result is!
Melissa says
I love the sideboard/credenza…whatever you'd call that piece! Very unique. I would run all the cables inside the wall though.
Unknown says
I can totally relate!! My husband and I come from very different perspectives when it comes to decorating! He is very very traditional, and I love to experiment with new colors, patterns, and love to change things up from time to time. It can be challenging sometimes to come to a consensus, but I've found that usually the end product is a good balance of both classic and more modern tastes. I'm sure that you can your husband will end up with a great basement!! And although at first I was skeptical of the side board once you showed a picture with the TV above it, I think it works! Can't wait to see what else you do with the space
Brittany @ vitadibella.blogspot.com
Laura says
OMG… my husband wants that same TV… I seriously have been shopping at Smiths to avoid Costco!
And yes… we have a monstrosity of a Black Leather Puff Couch in our basement cuz the hubs fell in love with it… he wants, get this, matching recliners… absolutely not! ugh!
Men… can't live without them…
Jenn Jantz says
ha ha!! this post cracks me up!!!! sounds just like james and i…
so we needed a new light for our dining room. the old one have the 'socket thingys' didn't even work. I was at work one eve. and he started texting me all these cool country/vintage/industrial looking light fixtures.i loved them all but they were kinda above our budget but i didn't say anything deciding that he could just get the one he wanted…
well. to make a long story short. i came home from work to see the most modern looking white, 'ikea-ish' tulip flower looking light fixture. um. did NOT go at all with my decor in that part of the house.
i liked it. but maybe for in our guest room, not the dining room. it looked like it would fit in a modern styled baby room. anyhow. i was chill about it. (i did not let on that i didn't like it, becuase he kept telling me that he thought it looked just like what i would have picked.lol)
6 months later- he walks into the house with a steal of a deal from Lowes. and says look what I found on clearance!!! it was my DREAM light fixture for my dining room. and he was like i thought this would suit MUCH better. aaaah… how i grinned =)
and by the way- the side board is totally AMAZING. amaaaazing. THAT would suit my house ๐ xo
Unknown says
Actually, NO! And thank GOD for that! My husband is so…..what's the word……nonchalant about what goes on in this house. When it comes to "letting" me decorate, that's a GOOD thing. It means he doesn't interfere. HOWEVER….it also means he's oblivious to the dirty socks on the floor….the kids toys lying around…and crumbs on the counter. But I'll take his lackadaisical attitude in exchange for being able to do whatever in the hell I want to the house ๐ WIN-WIN!
Serena
Thrift Diving
Anonymous says
Well not yet but soon! We are painting our paneling and he doesn't want to paint the living room & I do!
And TVs – I have never been there when he has got one!
We are kind of "discussing" the patio ..
Angela says
My husband and I always have this problem. He is constantly telling me that he doesn't want a "Pintrest House!" I have learned over the years to go with my gut and in the end he ends up loving it!
erin says
I am actually loving those ottomans! I am the only girl at my house, so I sometimes look at yours and think that it's so feminine and pretty- so different from my house full of guys! I have some feminine elements (I'm told constantly we have too many pillows), but It might be nice to have a few more masculine-feeling elements in your otherwise very feminine home! I've found I get so many compliments on our "compromise" rooms- maybe because I have to work harder to pull them together, but they somehow look more organic! Go with it. I cannot tell a lie, there is nothing like snuggling up on the comfy sectional and watching a movie, and James Bond larger-than-life on the "jumbo tron" is sometimes a treat!
ANITA says
love the ottomans and that tv is crazy bit ๐
Anonymous says
We definitely have this problem. There are areas of our house that haven't changed in years (if ever) since it is so hard to make a decision. I am starting to think I will just have make some decisions and home it works out.
Tess Donohue says
What is it with guys and big tvs? Hubby is on the case tags we need a 60" LCD in our new place (secretly I don't overly disagree but he is really on the case) and I think it will come through, as long as I get the lovely sectional I have my eye on to lounge on whilst watching said TV!
I'm looking forward to seeing more updates on your basement! (Ps, did you know basements are extremely rare in Australia? We just lay a slab on the ground and build away… I can see where they would be a huge advantage!)
http://Www.heartsoulfamily.blogspot.com
Darcey says
My hubby was a bachelor livin' it up for yeeeeears before we met, and he is still super stuck on bachelor style (if you can call it that)! I compromised a ton when decorating our first house to make sure it was all "manly" enough. Luckily he's in the Air Force so I'll get a couple chances to inch him a little closer to my style before we end up in a "forever" home! *fingers crossed*!
Ranee J Fratangelo says
My husband and I LOVE this media center…WHERE DID YOU FIND IT?
Melle@featheredruffles.com says
finally talked my hubbs into tearing the entire first floor of our 100+ year old farmhouse down to studs to get rid of the crumbly cracked plaster and lathe, update electric from those giagntic pluggy looking things the size of spice jars, and put upi some walls, tear down some walls… and build ME a studio and HIM his own office and essentially give me my Dream. House.
My compromise?
He gets his new BIG tv to mount on our living room wall AND since he's building the wall ANYWAY… he is getting to get a new surround sound system and INSERT it into the wall.
(He and his dad built every house he's ever lived in growing up, so he's really good at this kind of thing. Slow as molasses stored in an igloo in February… but a perfectionist… so I'm pleased as punch and he's enjoying himself. He comes home from work grabs a snack to tide him over, and jumps right in! such a difference from a few months ago when we were spending every night camped in front of the tv… hehe…)
Melle@featheredruffles.com says
ooh.. my guys are both oblivious… socks, spilled milk… syrup left all day on the counters…. UGH! They're getting better. Mainly because I finally hired someone to clean my house. (Actually, my husband did. I'm disabled and the cleaning was just wearing me out…)
Now that we're paying someone $20/hour to clena up their socks, they're BOTH a bit more conscious… Hubbs because he's balancing the checkbook… and kidlet, because he was told if she went over my 3 hours every other week because of HIS mess, it was coming out of HIS allowance… LOL!
Anonymous says
Wow I swear you were in my head when you posted this. My husband has a 73in television that is NOT flat screen so I searched for weeks to find a tv cabinet big enough and sturdy enough for it to sit on. Will be very happy when we move and it goes in the basement and doesn't take up my entire living room ๐