Yep, the basement has been done for months. No, literally months.
And here I sit…still lacking the desire to post about it.
I have finally figured out why I have such a hard time when it comes to posting my home decor projects.
Who’s ready to get deep?
One word.
Perfection.
No, I don’t mean that the basement is perfection. I mean that I completely hold back and procrastinate posting my new home decor and diy projects because I am waiting for the “perfect” final touches.
Yes, perfection.
Oh, that sweet little land that my mind lives in.
Do you know what I finally realized? Perfection does not exist. Perfection is an image in my head that will never be real.
Perfection takes me to a place where I say:
“I can’t take pictures of the basement UNTIL those shelves have the perfect items on them…”
“I can’t reveal the basement UNTIL we get matching bins for the toys…”
“I can’t show people the basement UNTIL I learn to use my camera better so that the pictures do it justice…”
“I can’t photograph the basement UNTIL it’s a sunny day and the light is coming through the window just right…”
You see where this is going. That’s a lot of “I Can’t”.
All because I need things to be perfect. And the reality is people…ain’t nothing ever gonna be perfect.
A little lesson my brain sometimes tends to forget.
I filled this space with things that I love. Each and every single shelf is filled with something that I hold close to my heart.
Whether it’s a vase that we got when we got married, a picture of my mom and me from 1986, a collection of shells from our vacation or a Bible from my Grandma B’s house…each thing tells a story.
That’s what I cherish most about this space.
When I look at the built-in entertainment center and bookshelves…I think talent. Because, yes, if you thought my dad created them…you are correct.
It all started as a drawing…
And it turned in to so much more…
I think about the love and creativity behind the design.
The craftsmanship and detail. The elegance.
And I think…perfection.
I know that no matter how I display the items on the shelves, whether it’s correct in the land of “perfect shelf decor”, it’s perfect because it’s created with love.
Isn’t that what any good space should be created on?
So, for me, I let go of having to be perfect for once. I let go of worrying about what looks good and what doesn’t go.
I erased the thoughts that left me wondering, “Will people like it?”
And I was left with…something that made my heart smile on the inside.
Perfect or not, I adore this space. Not because of what I’ve created but because it was all created out of love.
Source List:
Main Walls – Paint Color: Sherwin Williams March Wind – SW 7668 Behind the TV and Pillars – Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray – SW 7068 Rug – RugsUSA.com
these look great! Love the built ins, This looks like such an awesome space for your family.
Perfect may not exist but that basement area looks pretty close to it!
It looks beautiful Mandy! You can tell a lot of hard work and love was put into it. I honestly feel that way about all your decor, that it was picked with a lot of thought, care and “perfection” to me! 🙂 Absolutely love y’all’s style!
Love the built ins! Looks amazing!!!
It funny you post about being perfect today when I have just posted about the same thing..lol http://jenniesscrapspace.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/we-are-all-different-and-thats-ok.html
Anyway I think it looks great well done you guys!!
We are about to start a similar project! What kid of wood did you use for the built ins? Was it all cut and painted by you or some sort of prefab system? Love it!!!
All shelves cut from 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4″ hardwood plywood. Center cabinet is an unfinished sink basin cabinet. The shelves and walls and pillars are all faced with different individual pieces and styles of trim and crown molding. No pre-fab.
Your basement looks fabulous Mandy! So cute a comfortable looking, I bet your family loves it! So wonderful to have such a talented, handy Dad. I have one too but sadly live to far to take advantage of all of his handyman skills 😉
Where did you get your rug? I love it.
This looks awesome. We just decided that we want to do something just like this for our basement now! 🙂
I’m not sure what I like more – the bookcase org our sentiments about letting go of perfection. 🙂
I love the look of your custom shelves. Your dad does amazing work. You are very lucky to have him!
It looks like your basement walls were a darker color before you did the custom entertainment center. Did you notice a big change with the wall color? Our basement is a medium tan color and doesn’t have many windows and it feels so dark. I’m thinking if I lighten up the color it might make a difference. Otherwise I need to buy a ton of lamps… 😉 Whatcha think?
Wow, love it! It looks so fresh and bright. I love RugsUSA I have a chevron rug from them.
Oh my gosh, that built in looks AMAZING! I love the transformation. I really appreciate your vision and decorating sense…my tv area looks very much like your before, and I don’t have the decorating sense to improve it. I love seeing how beautiful yours turned out!
I love this! Built-ins add such a great touch or organization and style to a space. You all did a great job with these – perfect:) Susan
I hear you completely. My mind goes crazy sometimes! By the way, it looks great! 🙂
~Sarah
Your dad is so talented! And I love how you staged the shelves. Gorgeous!
I love it! I think you did a fabulous job but most importantly it means something to you! Can’t wait to see more of the basement.
This is great, and very touching! I am a relatively new subscriber, but I get such awesome inspiration from this blog! However, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a tad heart broken when I discovered that this post was not a DIY tutorial for amazing looking built ins! haha but the warm fuzzy feeling I got after reading ab your sweet Daddy an how much love you share made me feel good, so you’re forgiven! lol THIS POST ROCKS!
Oh man! Sorry about that Lauren! I can beg my dad to do a tutorial. Haha!
Hi there! These are gorgeous!! Any chance you will put up a tutorial?
Looks soo good! My basement look s like your first totally unfinished.. I’m so jealous!
Love the entertainment center. Did your dad use pre-painted lumber? Is it OSB or Pine? 8-9 feet wide?
How deep is the cabinet base?
Love love love this. Hubby is drawing up plans to do something similar and we are definitely using yours as inspiration.