In a decorating frenzy!

I've been on vacation since December 17th, and in that time have finally started tackling some projects around the apartment like getting a new entertainment center to replace the 10 year old, (broken) pressboard unit I had. I'm not quite done, but I think I've got a plan.

I upgraded to a 42" flat panel TV since they don't sell anything deep enough for an old TV anymore, and I've decided to get the Hemnes TV stand and bookshelves to put it on. Here's my rough attempt to put pictures of the pieces together:

The whole thing only costs $434, which is about $2000 less than the first set I was looking at over at Crate & Barrel.

I've taped the height and width of the bookcases out on my wall with masking tape and they're large, but I think they'll give the wall a real focal point and add a sense of balance that's currently missing.

I have one nice large bookcase now, but I'll need to move that to make room. That's OK, though. It's always felt off balance with a hulking entertainment center and such a tall bookcase next to it, but only on one side. This should provide the same storage but in a much more attractive form.

It'll also force me to do some book cleanout. Some will be given away, some will be moved to an IKEA Billy bookcase in the office, and the bookcase itself will go to my mom. She has a much bigger house that can take such a wide bookcase without it being unbalanced.

I'm going to get the TV stand tomorrow and will pick up the bookcases once I convince an SUV-driving friend to play cargo-van for me. Will update with pictures once it's all put together! I'll probably paint, too, but that'll be a project for another time. Stay tuned - I'm hosting a few friends for NYE so it'll definitely be at least partly up in the next 2 days.