Every since I bought my 27 inch iMac (aka my fourth child... after my two actual human children and my 6D), and it has been sitting on my dining room table all out of place, and our lack of office has really become an eyesore.
Insert the built-ins. We decided we'd do an entertainment center on one side of our fireplace and an office on the other side.
Years ago, we got an ASTRONOMICAL quote on someone building, finishing and installing. It was insanely expensive, so we decided we'd order the built-ins and install and finish ourselves. We saved about $5k by putting in some sweat equity.
before:

after:

Before we ordered, John and I debated doing something over the top, but he was pretty apposed. So I dropped it. Now that they are installed, he agrees we need something over the top. We'll order that in the next few months. We are so happy with how they turned out!
One more photo:

Our garage full of the unfinished furniture. It took two FULL minivan pick ups, and two long nights of painting, but we got it all installed over one weekend. I'm thankful for my handy hubby.
































