Today, a “fake it ’til you make it” project that I can be proud of!

I love the look of built-in shelving – it’s the perfect marriage of beauty and function – but the price tag is another question. Also, I’m constantly redecorating, so I’m afraid of investing in something so permanent, when I might want to redo it next month!

I am, however, a veteran at faking a built-in look by finding the perfect furniture pieces to fit my space. Up in our bedroom, I created a daybed bench from off-the-shelf pieces.

My latest project was a fireplace wall in our family room.

I had been swooning over inspiration rooms like these, with their crisp white fireplaces and shelving.

Source: Houzz Parade of Homes

Source: A Well Dressed Home

Source: Traditional Home Magazine

Source: Frou Frou & Frills

My starting point was a completely blank wall with two windows. I bought an electric fireplace a few years ago to help warm up the space – figuratively and literally – and while it’s pretty simple and no frills, we’ve gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Since my dream family room has white woodwork, I decided to paint our old fireplace. Let me just insert a piece of advice here: if you are putting together pieces of furniture from different sources, it’s definitely best to get paint custom matched. I had a “more haste, less speed” experience, when I tried to spray paint the fireplace not once, but twice. Neither spray paint was the right color to match the surrounding shelves, though I did create an interesting leopard effect. Thank goodness, my friend Ari over at Revolving Decor convinced me to walk over to the hardware store and get some paint to match the shelves. I rolled it on in one evening, so the third time was a charm!

To complete the fireplace makeover, I wrapped the pieces that surround the firebox with this grey marble adhesive film. I love the transformation!

For the shelving, I measured the space around the fireplace and found that the IKEA Hemnes sofa tables fit almost perfectly. IKEA is a great place to find pieces for your own custom arrangement, because a lot of their product lines come in a variety of sizes and shapes that let you mix and match to fit your space perfectly.

Finally, with the addition of some accessories, our new fireplace wall is complete!

We all love the final result and have enjoyed many happy hours playing and lounging in our cozy new family room.

A last look a the before and after:

I’m still working on the other side of the room, which will have “built-in” desks and shelving.

I have collected a lot of ideas on Pinterest for great off-the-shelf furniture pieces that can be used to create a built-in look. Check it out, and I hope you’ll feel inspired to fake it… and make it in your own space!

“Jewels”