I have used Zinsser 123 with great results though many recommend the Zinsser BIN. Two coats of either followed by a good cabinet paint. Ask for recommendation at your local reputable paint store - take a door with you if possible.

I did a small chalk paint project and painted over it - did not like the chalky appearance and brush marks. I can see why some like it, but for a piece that is built into the house and hard to remove, I suggest a well done beautiful finish that will last years rather than something trendy. You may want to consider having it professionally painted.

Jhmarie, it will be professionally painted by a specialist. What color you thinking?

My husband thinks white will just make it look strange... Like a big white thing in the room!

I would paint it to completely match the surrounding wall. And then perhaps later, add color/wallpaper to the backs of the shelves.
I would do that, or a light grey color.
Another option is that you could stain it the same color as the beam above, although I think matching it to surrounding wall would be best

If you are hiring a professional, why not see if she can stain it a lighter color, then switch out the hardware to bring it more to your liking?

Can you share a picture of your kitchen cabinets?

Here are the kitchen cabinets (don't mind the mess!)

And I don't want to paint it to match the ivory wall because I want to change this someday, so I don't want it tied to that. I have Ben Moore Horizon (off white-gray) in my other rooms and love it.

Here is a shot of the family room from the entertainment center. Our style is somewhat farmer but elegant and clean. My husband probably wouldn't like an antique rustic look, so probably something more elegant with broad appeal!

Note the accessories still aren't in the room yet. There will be navy, gray, white with touches of teal, yellow and natural.

Since your kitchen is opened to the living room, I think white would be very pretty. Your space looks very contemporary, so I would keep that vibe with a semi-gloss finish. No chalk paint or distressing...

The other option is to go with the Ben Moore Horizon off white/gray. How does that color look with your cabinets? If it is very close, it may feel off-like you are trying to match but are off. If the color is significantly darker, than it might be pretty.

Do you have a sample or pic to share of the Horizon?

Seeing a better shot of your couch, I think gray could be very pretty! I would get some samples and hold them up to see how they look in the room.

Karen, here is the Ben Moore Horizon paint color (off white-gray) in the other rooms!

It would look nice and make the wall look much bigger

What color Jordan?

So pretty, ehollabaugh! I think Horizon would be so pretty in your living room, especially since you have it in other rooms. It also looks great with the white trim, kitchen cabinets, and floors. I think you have a winner.

Just to be 100% certain, can you have the painter apply a sample to your entertainment piece? I would either go with white to match the kitchen cabinets or the horizon to match the walls in the other parts of your home.

Yes I agree w Karen. I meant the white that you have everywhere else

If you want glossy, have her use BM Advance paint, or SW pro-classic. They are the best for painting wood furniture. Unless she really wants to do super wazoo and use the Hollandlac paint by Fine Paints of Europe. Their paint is gorgeous. I've used it on a few dressers.

The gray on the built ins is nice in this photo. Maybe you could have your chosen paint color darkened. Semi gloss.

I think I would agree that a color possibly slightly darker than Horizon (for enough contrast to wall and cabinets), would look nice as an option. Maybe something like Ben Moore Gray Owl (our nursery color!) I think you either match to the white cabinets or go with some contrast like a very light gray. Anything in between might seem like we tried to match but didn't quite make it there.

How about the Benjamin Moore Beachglass that's in one of your ideabooks? Would that work with your teal? Just a thought.

Funny, that's in my bedroom!

Would you consider replacing the entertainment center with a long low console?

it doesn't look like you're needing all that shelf space and something long and low and less imposing would suit the space better.

I wouldn't go too dark on the entertainment piece. I think if you keep it light, you will love how much your space will feel brighter. I vote going with the Horizon like on the color you used in the other rooms. I think there is enough contrast between the Horizon and the white trim, so it doesn't look like you were trying to match but were off.

There is nothing wrong with painting the walls and the woodwork the same color- if you decide to paint the walls in the living room Horizon down the road. It will feel elegant and classic.

We painted our cabinets in the kitchen the same color as the walls-assessable beige and love the monochromatic look. The cabinets are a semi-gloss, while the walls are a flat finish, so you still see a subtle difference.

Because of the creamy ivory walls, I would suggest going with a taupe-grey in a semi-gloss. This color will not fight with the walls but sit in union with it. Then the gray sofa won't look "matchy-matchy" but will blend in with the surrounding colors. At this point you can add the pops of colors of your choice.

Unfortunately we decided not to remove it for a list of reasons but mostly that it would require more time and money.

I have heard a suggestion of removing the crown molding from the top for a cleaner / softer look?

In any case I will be rearranging the shelves to open them up and then add accessories to tie into the room.

I agree on being as light as can be but with the contrast to the wall. Ben Moore Nimbus may be another option to Ben Moore Horizon.

Any suggestions for hardware and best places to order? There are simple bronze/copperish pulls now for the 4 cabinets that may be ok.

I think the Paris gray from AS with a light gray glaze.

The chalk paint would be an easy and effective solution. You could even two tone it with one color on the interior and the blue color on the exterior. Easy to use. Weekend project with the Amy Howard paints from Ace. You just paint over the existing finish. Check out the videos on You Tube.

Blue with a white wax like this cabinet would be great

Beverly, what tool did you use to turn it blue? Would love to use to see the other options like white and light gray!

Microsoft Paint

I like the gray, I used Annie Sloan chalk paint on my cherry colored alder bathroom cabinets super easy to use

Jennifer, do you have a before and after?

If you have the unit professionally painted, it will likely cost as much as repainting it.

Do a search of "durability of chalk paint" before attempting chalk paint. Also, do something small - even just pick up a small wood project at a craft store or old finished piece from goodwill - will better show you results over a previously finished surface. If you do not like the chalk paint after you have done it and decide to have it professionally painted - it could cost you more because I don't know how a professional will get the wax off. I am told you can paint over the cured wax - questioning that from my own experience refinishing furniture. How can this piece again be painted if the look you went for becomes dated or something that might detract from selling the home?

While chalk paint seems to require less prep - it requires more steps to finishing - applying the wax, which needs to be reapplied every couple of years if not more frequently. It is also expensive - by the time you buy the paint, special brushes and wax, you will have made a sizable investment compared to a good primer and cabinet paint. I have had to do very little prep when using Zinsser 123 primer - the same prep you need with chalk paint - really clean surface. I did not even sand my bookcase because it was not glossy - has held up well for over 12 years. I actually have one foot in shabby chic - as anyone who has seen my home could attest too, but faux distressed furniture - not my thing.

Just do a practice project before you commit to a piece of furniture built into the home.

Jjmarie, we have a professional painter who is very good, reserved to paint it. I would never trust myself to do a good job!

If we were to remove it, we would need to continue the trim near the floor, as it looks slightly built in where there's no trim where it is. Who knows what's under it - I fear there's no pine wood floor continued underneath or something. We'd need to cut it down and move it out. Then buy something new and possibly mount the tv... Plus my husband likes it and doesn't want to go through that trouble. So, lots of trouble and not sure what the situation of that area if removed.

I'm hoping there's something we can do to "update" the look to feel more timeless and part of the home.

You might check Benjamin Moore Baltic Gray 1467.
It has a slight ivory undertone which keeps it from looking too lavender. It will blend nicely with your sofa, carpet and walls. Plus it won't compete with the white cabinets in the kitchen. I would add bronze hardware to give it a classic look.

BeverlyFLADeziner can you show an example of painting the wall and cabinet the same color. Seems like it might be more cohesive and blend into the room.

I like white or cream

My entertainment center was brown and i plan to paint it white. Good enough?

@Erin J your built in turned out beautiful! So glad you posted. What color did you choose? Did you match the wall paint? Did you have it professionally done, and did it cost a fortune? Here is my entertainment center. People on a Houzz have told me to get rid of it. I cannot bring myself to replace it and would prefer to paint it white, remove the center piece, add an electric fireplace in the center and hang the tv on the wall above it. I would remove the top piece of the wall unit to have a more open look. I too have white kitchen cabinets. Your post and outcome has been an inspiration.

The white paint looks amazing- well done!!

Lizzie, I've painted many older pieces like that. you would paint it just like you would kitchen cabs. maybe a tad bit less prep. use a de-glosser (or give the entire thing a fine sanding to knock down any smooth/glossy finish) then a primer (I'd use the Zinsser in a can. so much easier) , fine sand until is super smooth, then a semi gloss (or satin) paint like Advance or similar.

I'd bring in some diff hardware.

you could use a chalk paint if you like more the matte look. less prep. chalk paint can be sanded smooth without distressing. then you'd wax and buff the top coat.

I'd also paint the inner back panel (or wall paper)

or even fabric

this would be more of the chalk paint finish. they didn't sand it very well. if you want more rustic, do this

@Beth H you are definitely the paint pro. Thank you for your advice. I would like this to be a diy for me and my husband to save money, yet still have a positive outcome. I don’t prefer the rustic look, so we would probably go with your first option. I’ll let you know how it goes. Erin’s wall unit came beautiful!

Lizzie, it will look great. make sure you remove all the doors, (be careful w/the hinges and try not to disturb them. you can give those a quick brush w/the sand paper, tape off the surrounding wood, and spray those w/Rustoleum metallic paint. whatever color you like. I did an ORB on my closet door hinges and they look great.

go over the wood w/a 220 grit. be careful not to go through the top veneer layer or you're hosed! do it by hand. get into the crevices too. clean well w/mineral spirits. when dry, wipe a de-glosser over it (HD has it). follow directions. you have to prime it rather quickly or you'll have to degloss again. use the Zinsser oil base spray paint. get good coverage. when dry, fine sand that w/220 or 320. go easy. use a brush to remove all of the residue. wipe w/a damp cloth or use a blower.

Now you can paint. after first coat, if you have brush marks, use a 600grit wet/dry sand paper. wet it, lightly go over the brush marks. clean well. now your second coat.

i didn't do many of those large china cabs because they were so much work. but I did tackle this horrendous mcm piece

the wood was so torn up and stained, I couldn't refinish it. it was gross.

I did sand every inch of this

just did a glossy white coat, and I did refinish the solid wood shelving. (this was 8 years ago and was heading to the beach) back panel is fabric attached w/spray adhesive.

I like the blue color of your chair. And your rug looks like it has navy perhaps? I think a deep dark navy with a touch of green in it would look good. Perhaps a color you would like to repeat on a kitchen island to add cohesion to the color choice without going white.

Keep the entertainment unit. Strip it and stain it to match the beams, or paint it if you wish, but not
a pale color. What the room needs is some color, and window treatments can add color, texture and softness. Don’t forget to add some art, and perhaps another rug in the bare area behind the sofa. What else is in this zone....another photo will help.

It's already done!

@Beth H Thank you so much Beth. I'll copy and paste your directions. Hopefully soon we can start on this. :))