Living Room Cabinetry Reveal
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyIt’s an exciting day! I’m thrilled to share my new living room cabinetry and updated fireplace and mantel.
Living Room Cabinetry Reveal
As I mentioned back in September when I shared the design plan for this renovation, I have been itching to update the cabinetry and mantel in my living room since the day I moved into this home two years ago. Well, that day has finally come and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
Before we get to the after, let’s start with the before. Here’s where I started:
Now, I realize this situation wasn’t terrible, but a couple things bothered me. Here’s a little recap of what I mentioned before:
- The shelves in the bookcases are only 8 inches deep so they aren’t practical for book storage. (At least half of the books I own won’t fit on the shelves without hanging off the edge.)
- I don’t love the mantel. I’m not a fan of the dentil molding, and like the bookcases, the mantel is narrow, making it hard to style.
- Because I have two other wood-burning fireplaces in my home, I’d love to have gas-burning logs in the living room so I can have a fire with the flip of a switch and no sooty mess to clean up.
- With the new cabinetry in my kitchen and entryway, the existing fireplace and bookcases in the living room feel dated. New cabinetry would elevate the entire room.
Okay, so now you’re all caught up on where I started. Let’s take a look at the after!
Ta-da! Isn’t it spectacular? I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. And yes, I realize that there is absolutely zero decor on the shelves. Sorry about that. I had wanted to decorate this all for fall, but then life happened and I just couldn’t get it together. However, the holiday season is upon us and you know I’ll be styling this entire space up for Christmas. It’s going to be magical!
I with with classic white for the cabinetry. It’s timeless and will be the perfect background for my seasonal decorating endeavors. The color is Sherwin-Williams Extra White SW 7006. The finish is custom to the cabinet maker, but I’d say it’s between a satin and matte.
For this project I worked with Drury Cabinetry. This name might sound familiar as they are the ones that did my entryway cabinetry. They are AH-mazing! It was a joy to work with them. Their work is stunning (clearing) and I’m already thinking about what I can have them do next. If you are anywhere near Pittsburgh and need cabinetry, I highly recommend them. Let them know I sent you!
As you can see, all of the old cabinetry, mantel, and marble surround was removed to make room for this masterpiece. Everything was custom built and installed on site. I’ve tried to include lots of close-up photos so you can see all of the beautiful detail that went into this work. It’s exquisite.
I mentioned this before, but I should mention it again: the fireplace does not sit in the center of this wall so the cabinetry on the left is larger than the cabinetry on the right. This is just one of those weird things you have to make work. Besides, symmetry is overrated, right? To be honest, I love “odd” details likes this. It gives my home and this room character.
In addition to the new cabinetry, I also replaced the old marble with new Carrara marble. I was so excited to get this replaced as the previous hearth had a piece of quarter round trim that ran around the edge. It always bothered me. Now the marble has a nice finished edge.
I also made the decision to switch this fireplace from wood-burning to gas. Since I have a wood-burning fireplace in my family room just across the entryway, I thought it would be nice to have the convenience, cleanliness, and low-maintenance of a gas burning fireplace in this room. I can turn it on and off with the touch of a button. Plus, it looks pretty realistic too. I’ll be putting together a post all about this conversion, so stay tuned for that.
I do have one question for you! I don’t love the tan brick inside the fireplace. I was thinking about painting it black. Thoughts?
I did order a screen to keep my kitties out, so maybe the screen will hide the brick. It just sticks out like a sore thumb to me. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
The beautiful picture lights are from Husdon Valley Light. They are their 18″ Ridgewood in Distressed Bronze. It’s wonderful to have these light here as the lighting in this room so limited. I only have one other lamp so it always feels super dark. (Which reminds me I should get another lamp or two.)
I did slightly change the hardware I originally selected. You can find the knobs I selected for the drawers HERE and the pulls HERE. (The pulls are the same pulls I used in my kitchen remodel. I LOVE them.)
I am just so insanely pleased with the results. This is everything I wanted and then some. I’m so happy to finally be able to share it with you. Let’s take a look at a few more pictures.
And that’s a wrap on another Bayberry House renovation! Now I’m off to another project because my Christmas decor is calling me and these shelves are just begging to be styled. I can’t wait to show you how they look all dressed up.
Until then……..!
Michael-DO NOT PAINT THE BRICKS. You’ll be forever cleaning up flakes of black paint. Take the spot and smear it all over the white
The new cabinets and fireplace look wonderful! I would leave the bricks as they are. Painted black they would call attention to themselves. I think you’d want the focus to remain on your beautiful new additions.l
Just love the new cabinets. My vote would be to definitely paint the bricks black. It’s not a huge space but I think it would tie in beautifully with the lights and hardware. Looking forward to seeing your Christmas styling
So nice and yes, I am anxious to see your new bookshelves decorated for Christmas.
I, too, think the fireplace brick would look better painted.
Michael, I loved this room before the change, and yet love it more! Totally beautiful and with perfection! Re the fireplace insert, would go dark grey leaning towards black. Think it would compliment the lamps and cabinet hardware. Can’t wait to see these bookcases decked out! Beeeeutiful! Awesome!
Absolutely beautiful! You have such good taste! You may want to wait until you see how it looks with the screens.
Love It!!
Looks beautiful! I think every room should have built in cabinets 🤣 I just wondered what depth you changed the bookshelves to? You said 8” wasn’t deep enough… I’m planning on doing some built ins and was trying to decide on sizes, depths, step back depth etc. if you don’t mind sharing I would love to know! Your proportion look great! Thanks!
I am curious as well, as to the shelf depth you have now? Did you lose floor space?
Black is stark and bold, but, it’s a small area and would pick up the black from the lights and hardware. My vote is yes, black brick.
This is truly gorgeous! I didn’t even notice the shelves on each side were different sizes until you said something. A lovely addition to your fabulous home.
I definitely would paint the inside of the fireplace black. I think it looks old the way it is. Black would make it look much more refined and chic. Your cabinet makers are true professionals. When I see all your pictures, I am sorry I don’t still live in Pittsburgh! Happy Christmas decorating. I can’t wait to see it all!!
Your taste is truly exquisite, you have that east coast old money look…(that is the only way I can describe it) and I LOVE it. The details are perfection! I had a fireplace installed and was disappointed the liner did not come in black. I was going to paint it with a high heat paint but have decided to leave it tan. I’m so happy I did…I feel like it would have looked like a black hole and the logs would have become lost. The tan adds a little life inside the FP. Looking forward to seeing what you end up deciding!
Thanks for brightening my day, you are so inspiring to me.
Be well,
Lisa
Beautiful update. Can’t wait to see it styled. Painting the firebox black is an easy project. Just remember to use high heat approved paint (but you probably already know that).
Absolutely beautiful. My first thought when I saw the fireplace was that it would look good painted black. As I read further I saw you had that thought as well. I painted ours black and love it. I personally think fire brick is unattractive not to mention impractical. Am looking forward to seeing which way you go.
Love the transformation and those green chairs!!!!! I agree painting firebox black would look better. Always look forward to your posts. My family will be having Pumpkin Chili for the holidays.
Stunning! I want that. I think you should definitely paint the brick in the fireplace black! Brilliant idea! Can’t wait to see it all fancy for the holidays. You should dress it up for fall for Thanksgiving, pay homage to the overlooked holiday, my favorite! Love your posts! Happy Holidays! Don’t forget Thanksgiving😁
What a wonderful transformation! Having tall/to the ceiling bookcases makes the room look bigger! I don’t think you notice the different sizes of the bookcases as much either. I understand wanting to paint the interior bricks black. Probably a good idea, even though a screen might disguise the current ones. It has all turned out so wonderfully! I love that you thought ahead and put cord holes in the bookcases. I noticed a light switch in one of the book cases as well. Is that for the fireplace or the picture lamps? I loved that you showed the interior of a drawer and cabinet. It really shows off the wonderful workmanship. So excited for you! It all looks beautiful! I know your Christmas decor in this space will be gorgeous. Looking forward to that post 🙂
I read one time that every room should have a touch of black – and I totally agree with painting the interior of the fireplace. I love the entire project – it’s still traditional, but also transitional at the same time – my style exactly!
Love the room. As to the change to black of the fireplace brick, try it before making permanent changes. Not sure you’ll like black. Might look a bit too much like a dangerous pit to elsewhere. 😉
Looks beautiful! We also just converted our fireplace to gas and painted the inside black. The exterior is also white (painted brick) and the inside was the same color as yours. It looks so much better, do it! (I’d post a pic but can’t figure out how to do that lol).