Welcome to the 858th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope you had a fabulous 4th! I spent mine with family and it was a lot of fun. I drove up a couple of days in advance to get settled in before all the festivities got underway. I don’t often attend fireworks displays because of the gridlock traffic that usually follows, but this year was different. We saw a wonderful fireworks show that was within walking distance of our homes, and the traffic afterward wasn’t bad at all.
Taking photos of fireworks is tricky—timing is everything! Ha! I gave up after a bit and decided to just relax and enjoy the show.
A few weeks back, or has it been months now—I’m terrible with time. I now wish that I’d kept a diary, starting when I first made my offer on the Dollhouse and it was accepted. Anyway, let’s go with weeks. A few weeks back, I put together a little movie/theater room here in the basement of the Dollhouse. During that process, I mused in a post about the best way to make use of the shelves in this room. At that time, they held a very small DVD collection (top shelf on the left) behind which were some vintage VHS tapes that I couldn’t bring myself to part with for sentimental reasons. The shelves on the right side held a few puzzles I’d worked over the past year during moments of rare downtime. I am blessed in this house with a lot of great places to store books, so I didn’t need the bookshelves here in the movie room for that purpose. Being a bit of a puzzle junky, I decided to continue with the puzzle storage idea.
Over the past year, I’ve gradually been bringing up books from the Georgia house, squeezing them into my SUV wherever they would fit. As mentioned in a few previous posts, I’ve discovered over the years that IKEA Billy bookcases are not great for holding large, hardback books. The shelves just can’t handle the weight without sagging. On this trip back, I brought up the last few shelves of books that were still left here in the office. So, these shelves are now all empty and ready to be donated.
Clearing out the top of a closet where I had been storing all my puzzles, here’s where all the puzzles and the remaining books ended up before their trip north—on the floor of the living room. Could I really get ALL of these books and puzzles into my SUV?! To make things even more complicated, I purchased two new LEGO sets for my grandsons, visible on top in the center of this massive pile! lol
I did it, I got everything loaded in! My computer was on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat, and I added a lot of summer dresses, shorts, and shirts on top of the puzzles and books, making sure not to block my view out the back. I always bring up too many clothes since I’m never sure exactly how long I’ll stay.
Unloading everything was both exciting and exhausting. I definitely got my steps in that day! So, how do these bookshelves in the movie room look now?
They are filled to the brim with puzzles, well, except for the shelf on the left that holds the “Movie Night” sign that my daughter-in-law and I both really like, so it has to stay.
The eerie thing is they all exactly fit, down to the last puzzle. So, if I buy one more puzzle, I’m in trouble. There’s no more room left, not even for one more puzzle. This is the bookcase cabinet on the right. Due to the height of the puzzle boxes and the lip across the top, I couldn’t wedge another one in on the top shelf. There was no room left to tilt it to make it fit, so I turned one puzzle out a bit to fill in the space.
And here’s the cabinet on the left side of the room. Okay, maybe I could fit in a couple of more small-box puzzles. lol
I decided to stack up these awesome “The World of” puzzles alongside the Movie Night light instead of turning them on their side. That gave a bit of space between the light and the puzzles. If you enjoy doing puzzles, these are great! They’ve created them in a lot of popular themes, including The World of Hercule Poirot, The Great Gatsby, King Arthur, Oscar Wilde, Bridgerton, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and many more. (You’ll find those available here: The World Of Puzzles.)
Putting these puzzles on the bookshelves and in the storage cabinet below was a bit like doing a puzzle. These are the puzzles that are currently stored in the lower cabinet on the right.
I guess if I continue to buy puzzles, I could store them in the lower cabinet on the left that now holds a bunch of board games. Umm, just thinking out loud. A question I often get concerns what I do with the puzzles once I finish them. I save my favorites to work again, and yes, I do occasionally do that. If they aren’t a favorite, I donate them to my local Goodwill. I’m pretty picky about the puzzles I purchase these days, so I do end up keeping the majority of the ones I work. I love how they look displayed here, almost as nice to view as a library of books, only it’s a library of puzzles.
So what happened to the DVDs and the ancient VHS tapes that were on the top shelf on the left? They amazingly fit on the two shelves at the right end of the TV console.
I had to double them up to make them fit, which is fine since it’s unlikely they will be watched with almost all movies now available to stream. Back in Georgia, I hadn’t had cable TV in 15+ years, so when my grandsons visited when they were quite small, they ended up watching some of the old VHS tapes that their dad had watched during his childhood. My son and DIL thought that was funny, seeing how much the boys enjoyed those fuzzy old VHS tapes. Kids don’t care about quality like we picky adults do. Anyway, they loved the old VHS movies and asked to watch The Sandlot movie more than once. That movie seems to have become a bit of a cult movie for baseball fans. And to think they first watched it on an ancient VHS tape that their dad used to watch! Life is funny, ya know!
So, how am I using some of the baskets that I’ve added to the TV console? Miss Vickie’s chips are a hit with family, so I try to stay stocked up on those. I just reordered the plain “Sea Salt” version since those are the most popular. (Miss Vickie’s chips are available here: Miss Vickie’s Chips.)
I also keep a stock of Nearly Naked Popcorn for those times when the boys want a quick popcorn snack and I’m not here to fire up the popcorn machine. It was a lovely BNOTP reader who first told me about this popcorn, and we love it! (Popcorn is available here: Nearly Naked Popcorn.)
Another HUGE hit with my family is their “Zebra” popcorn. We first tried the Zebra popcorn when it was shipped by accident instead of the Nearly Naked popcorn that I had ordered. They are both made by the same company, so I guess that’s how the mixup happened. Anyway, that turned out to be a happy accident because it’s a huge hit with both the kids and the adults! I just reordered more of it last night since it goes fast around here! You’ll find it available here: Zebra Popcorn.
Recently I added these Popcorn Seasonings to the top of the popcorn machine. We haven’t tried them yet, but they have great reviews. (Seasonings are available here: Popcorn Seasoning.)
I’ll be adding a few new movie posters to the movie room this week and will share how those look in a later post.
This one is currently in the bathroom that’s on this level, but I’ll be moving it to a different spot—changing it out for another poster that should be arriving today. I may be having a bit too much fun with this “movie room” thing. Shopping for movie posters has been one of my favorite parts of creating this movie room—well, that and the popcorn machine. Ha!
It’s the funniest feeling when I come down the stairs and enter into this space. It feels like I’ve entered a whole different world. I’ve never put together a room like this—I haven’t even had a TV in many years, preferring to watch the occasional movie online. So this is a bit strange, but it has been a lot of fun! If you have a little-used basement or room in your home, consider turning it into a movie room or game room for you and your family. It’s a little like creating a vacation spot in your own home, one that doesn’t involve hours spent in a car or on a plane to reach. It makes me wish I had done this in the Georgia house many years ago!
The rest of the plantation shutters should be going in the windows of the upstairs rooms before too long. Also, I need to share where all the books I brought up this time ended up, and something special I’d love to add to the living room bookshelves I need to set up a time for the wallpaper installation in the guest bath. Lots of fun stuff coming up! In the meantime, I’m looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your email will never be shared. Subscribe for free email post updates here: Subscribe.
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings; save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address (that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog) into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
I love the movie room, and the puzzles look great on those shelves. The unexpected outcome of how it’s transformed family entertainment is really cool.
Thanks, Rita! We are really enjoying it. Now if I can just figure out why the remote is no longer working the volume on the TV. I think I need a visit from the Geek Squad.
Hi Susan,
I know this sounds silly but the same thing happened to my friend with her tv and remote. She tried just unplugging the tv for 5 minutes and when she plugged it back in, the volume started working again! She had also tried changing the batteries in the remote which you probably have already done. Hope it works!
Thanks for that tip, Dawn. I did replace the batteries even though I didn’t think that was it, and it didn’t fix it. I unplugged the TV, but only for around 10 seconds. Maybe I should try doing it for a longer amount of time.
I’m glad you went to spend Independence Day with family. Sounds like you all had a great time. The Movie Room looks great, Susan. I very much like the look of all the puzzle boxes on the shelves. Similar to books, just as you said. And the colors add a fun, friendly brightness. And I bet working all those puzzles keeps your brain in good condition. I’m amazed you got that big pile into your SUV!! You are definitely an expert packer, lol.
You mentioned how nice it is to walk down into the basement and have a sort of vacation spot set up. Imagine if you did that in the Georgia house. Your walk out basement there is fantastic and that could be quite the get-away / entertainment area. Maybe when you run out of things to do at the Doll House you can work on that! 😀
That room is perfect for that! Now I just need to win the lottery to do that and all the other things I need to do here at the Dollhouse. Ha!
Susan, When you are ready to donate puzzles, check about donating them to your library or Senior Center.
Our Friends of the Library collects and sells books and puzzles and donates the money back to our library for items they need.
I think the local library here may take donations, too. Thanks, Margot!
I love the way you have set up this movie room! I have been closely following your progress on the Dollhouse…in a way, you DO have a diary of your progress in the form of this blog. 🙂 I live in the Marietta, GA area and would be interested in taking the empty Billy bookcases off your hands. (already assembled is a bonus!)
Amanda
Amanda, you are welcome to them. Unfortunately, I’m not there right now, but I can let you know when I’m headed back.
Yeah, I guess this is a bit of a diary, but I’ve haven’t shared all the trials and tribulations of fixing up this old house. lol
Great idea to display all the puzzles; perhaps there is still a puzzle or two that you know you wouldn’t do again, that you could donate. Also try side-stacking them in a couple more spots to see if that opens enough space for another box. This movie room is going to be THE place to go, especially on a bitter cold, wet, icy, dreary winter’s night!!
I love the way you’ve displayed the puzzle boxes, Susan! I showed my husband & he agreed we need to do this at both houses!
Great to hear about your fun & family-filled 4th! We had our eldest grandson with us at our cottage for a week before his parents & younger brother arrived for a second week. So many fun-filled memories & my heart is so full!
I think I would consider leaving the empty bookcases in the Georgia house for the time being. I think empty bookcases are a good feature. Just my thoughts.
My GOSH!!! YOU DO keep BUSY!!! Nice job!! franki
Loving your sofa in that room. May I ask where you found it.
Thanks, Dawn! I found it here: https://amzn.to/44IRgoy
The photos online at that link don’t do it justice.
You can see the color/texture a bit better in this post: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/some-fun-additions-to-the-movie-theater-room-adding-lights-to-the-basement-staircase/
I have so enjoyed watching this room evolve! It looks like so much fun!
The room and the shelves look great!!
Thanks so much for hosting this charming party!!! I truly do appreciate it as I do know the time involved with it….I hope you and your family are well and enjoying your week!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Susan, your movie night room looks fabulous! I’m amazed that you got everything into your car and that is all fits on the shelves. It looks great and if the grands don’t want to watch a movie, then the puzzles are there as an option. Happy entertaining!
Be careful storing any paper product in the basement they are noted to be damp. From experience…
You’re movie room looks so fun! I need to buy some bookshelves. Do you know if any of the other bookshelves at IKEA are more sturdy?
Thanks, Valerie! I purchased the IKEA Hemnes for my guest bedroom after a BNOTP reader suggested it, and I have it loaded down right now with very heavy, hardback books, and it has held up beautifully with no sagging. It’s all wood so I guess that’s why the shelves do not sag. Seems like I read some reviews recently complaining that they had changed it, though…so check out the most recent reviews before you order one. It’s more expensive than a Billy bookshelf since it’s real wood, but so nice that the shelves don’t bow, or at least mine have not bowed.
Here’s a link to it at the IKEA website:
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/hemnes-bookcase-white-stain-90371765/
I think it comes in several colors/stains.
While I admire your tenacity at getting your “dollhouse“ in order, I’m curious about one thing: why didn’t you pack the books and puzzle in boxes or bags. I cannot imagine that it did not all come tumbling out of the car when you open the tailgate when you arrived in Ohio.
That being said, I have read & enjoyed your blog for years. I have learned, and purchased many things because of it.
Thanks so much, Judy! That’s a great question! I never thought about how my packing must look to those reading. Ha! I guess it does look a bit odd. lol
Well, after bringing stuff up to the Dollhouse for the past year, I’ve discovered I can get so much more into the car if I don’t pack it in bulky, square boxes. Usually, I fill the car with things I have in Georgia that I don’t need/use, but could use in the house here, then I fill in around that with books, filling every nook and cranny possible. I’ve been doing that all year, and I’ve managed to get a ton of books brought up that way. Boxes just take up way too much space, and I can get so much more in when I pack things loose. Of course, I don’t do that with dishes or anything that’s fragile or breakable, but it works great for things that are not breakable and don’t need padding around them. If I do decide to move to the Dollhouse full time, I’ll hire an actual moving company and everything that I bring up will be in boxes then, for sure.
Fortunately, things were packed pretty tightly, so nothing fell out when I opened the back.
I love your puzzle storage. Mine are stashed in my craft room, in some footstool cubes, behind the sofa, in a cabinet…..although if my family saw them all in one place they would give me a hard time.
Well, this girl totally understands, Kara! 🙂
I am so so so far behind reading your blog, having spent my summer with hubby in the hospital recovering from complications from cancer surgery. Now I can FINALLY catch up! I am amazed at how organized you are, even down to how neatly you pack a car to move things!! And then how perfectly everything fit in the movie room! What fun! And what a great way to recover my sanity, reading about your adventures! Thank you!