Really need to go out in the garage and get a pic of the entertainment center and post it

I have only used the Java gel stain before. Are these water based ones you suggested as easy to apply?

I will recommend to go for water-base, the finish is very natural look, durable surface, no strong odor, dries fast. Also it is easy to apply. Choose Satin finish.

In any case, as you say, there are little scratches on surface, better give it a quick sand and then apply stain, it will guarantee best result for years.

Here is an example of product

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Ronseal-Interior-Varnish-Satin-Walnut-750ml/p/117958

Usually the reason you find used entertainment centers is most people don’t use them since TVs mount on the wall and they usually take up a lot of space I like what you have now much better than a big clunky piec on that wall.

What Patricia says is true...tho your home doesn't look like the tv on the wall kind of place...the main flaw in the entertainment center is that they are usually way too deep for the new thin screen tv...I like your little chest below the tv as well for the fact that the drawers are so handy for storing things ...and the style and personality of the piece fits the sort of grand country home feel ...

Yes I see what you mean... The unit is actually in two pieces so I could just redo the bottom part which would go along most the wall with about 15" on each side...

The unit is 77 length and walk is 108

Wall

A larger piece on the bottom would definitely be more in scale...I am a fan of paint in instances like this...if the style of the piece looks more like a cabinet than furniture...this is why a pic would be good..black may be an option or maybe the wall color...if the piece has character..like your home...than stain may be better...

Just took some pics.. Sorry the pics of the bottom pieces are dark. But you get the idea of the look. It is 77" long. The bottom cabinet insets come out... I took out the left one... I have two glass insets that can replace the wood... I could always get two more if I want glass along the bottom but I think glass in the center would look nice... I can change or spray pulls/handles. THird pictures is the top piece but its upside down so hard to make out. I was thinking if I use it to take out the wood dividers so there is one long shelve...

Your room has a warm cosy feeling to it which I like. The unit in the first pic is ideal for the room. I would give the unit the same colour as the coffee table and consider painting the fireplace wall as well as change the colour of the curtains and have a lesser number of curtain pieces. Bring down the curtain rail, it's too close to the ceiling/roof, it gives a busy look. The room is formal to me but the curtains are the opposite. Also get rid of the book shelf (replace it with a mirror), the clock, the candles and the plant on the fireplace. Place the photo frames with the lamp. Get new cushions to complement the new curtains. Consider a hanging portrait above the fireplace.

Wow this is nothing like I pictured......can't tell what the depth is...that was the dimension that worried me but the size of the whole unit sort of justifies the extra depth...I think with or without the top it would work...depending on whether ...in place ...you feel the scale is overwhelming...it is a nice piece but not nice enough to be too important in the room...if you go for the whole unit painting may be better...if you go with a wood finish....the interior space for the tv is where I would paint...are there doors or would it always be open? ..I was taken with this piece at first sight but the first thing that came to mind was what a great kitchen cabinet it would be...will attach a pic of our kitchen ...you'll see why...

By the way..I love your curtains...they were the first thing that caught my eye...some of us think outside the box..some of us are more into conformity and the expected...

Wow! You're kitchen is amazing. Love the way you used the cabinets. You must have a great handyman :) The depth of the unit is 22". WHat color would you recommend to paint? Unfortunately the two pieces are both terribly heavy so I was thinking of doing the bottom piece first and putting it in place before I decide wether or not to do the top piece. What do you mean about painting just the interior part if I stain? There are no doors that close. The bottom cabinets have a glass door option.

How tall is the cabinet?...is it counter height?...in view of the depth this would rule out using the top for me...but the bottom could be really interesting in a color...several options...match the wall...match the red in the rug...choose an accent color you like....if you choose a color or stay with a wood finish....it would be sort of perfect with the tv to paint the top in a satin black...this allows an easy prep on the base with just a little more attention to the top so it looks more sleek...I would also consider replacing the removed door panels with some thing other than glass...bamboo...fabric...screen...mirror...metal...lattice...The hardware can be decided when you settle on the look you like

Oh and thanx ....knew you would get the whole kitchen thing...built this house 16 years ago...still love every part today..all these old cabinets never lose their charm...and tho' they were old when installed they are still functioning better than the few new cabs we did use...the quality I always look for when help is needed is someone who is open and willing and can figure out how...

The paint the interior part was referring to...if you use the top piece the interior space where the tv goes could be painted ...to match the wall behind or black to sort of make it disappear around the tv

Your house deserves to be in a magazine- beautiful space, you should be proud.

Thank you! I wish I had more money to put into updating all the 80's wood trim and staircase. We still have 80's pinkish tile that really needs to be replaced with wood floors. One day....

I think I will sand and stain the bottom piece first. It is 33" high. Not as high as I would like and I wish the bottom feet were solid all the way around. Maybe I can find a handyman to do that but the piece is so heavy. There is a tutorial on line about how to use trim around bottom of consoles. To replace the cabinet door panels... I like the idea of fabric or mirror or lattice or metal. I have a pie chest with a dark metal that has designs in it that are punched out in the metal. Sorry I have no idea what the terminology is of these things. Do you know where I can find pieces of metal like this? So many decisions! I figure I should start out staining and see what I think because it would be easier to go back and paint rather than other way around.

FOr fabric option, what would you recommend? An upholstery fabric.... any pictures on line of this? I've been scouring the internet but have not found any ideas for panels .

For the fabric I was visualizing gathered fabric...with a rod at top and bottom..a fairly light weight ..even sheer..fabric...a regular fabric store should have lots of options...

The metal may be too much of a challenge to find the right material..unless you could find something old to have cut to fit...

But if you already have the glass ...how about using etching creme to make a pattern on it?...could be as simple as a stripe or a border or an overall pattern with stencils...just enough to make it look custom and unique...you can get the creme at any craft store..

Eeek ....more decisions

I would certainly consider staining a walnut color to coordinate with your mantel which would look amazing. Also update hardware, possible an aged bronze style.

Thank you for all the great ideas! I will keep you posted with pics as I venture into this project!

Looking forward to that...

I have started painting the bottom unit as I realized stain was not an option. It is some sort of engineered wood, not real wood. This is a light color on it but I don't think it will go with rest of room (see first pic I posted when I started conversation) as colors are darker. What do you think of samples of yellow-golds at bottom of pic? THe one on right is the same color as walls. I've thought about black but worried it might be too dark. Thoughts?

My first thought is to paint it one or two shades darker than the wall (same color, just darker/deeper). What do you think? And you have decided to just use the bottom, right? I think that is your best bet.

My husband hopes so! The top part is extremely heavy! I am going to get the bottom part done and then decide if I want to add top part. I think if I leave it with just the bottom, three pictures along the top wall would look really nice.

I wonder if I can take the wall color to Benjamin moore and ask them to make it darker. It is their summerdale gold color.

How about getting brave and match the red in the rug?

Darker gold feels a little scary...kind of the way avocado green feels scary...

I finally decided on Sussex Green!

Wow would love to hear about your process..looks very professional...want to paint my antique cabinets..what were the steps and products to reach such an excellent result?

See photo in my above post...have had these cabs for 15 years...still love them but ready for a change...would love to try for a finished result such as your project..

I used Benjamin Moore Extreme paint made especially for trim and furniture in Sussex Green with satin fnish. I lightly sanded then applied a primer. I applied Sussex Green with a 6" roller and a foam brush depending on the area. I applied 3 coats but only because the color of the first coat had too much blue in it so I changed to Sussex Green. Two coats would have been fine. There is a sealer in paint so I didn't apply anything else after the paint. If this was a table or piece of furniture used daily I probably would apply a sealer for extra protection. Hope that helps! It was really easy... just time consuming.

Thanx so much..did you use any special cleaning solution before you started the process?

No it wasn't dirty. I just wiped down with a damp cloth.

Thanks