Den turned Library

And I like your idea about the window in the den becoming a built in. I think it might be a better bookshelf than a place for a flat screen just because of where you'd be sitting if the TV was centered. Plus what about the DVD player? I like the idea of the screen being on the wall that's at the rear of the house. This opens lots of good, budget conscious new ideas!

In our living room here in Germany we bought a set of blood wood pieces - a buffet, a pair of book shelves, a small pull down top desk and a cabinet. I've always wanted to paint them black. IF we used all those pieces in that room, it would work nicely. The flat screen could go over the buffet, with the DVD and sound equipment hidden in it. We could even use the desk like we do here for the laptop/printer and postpone the office nooks idea. I have to say the price point on this is very attractive.

This is the buffet that could store the DVD player and DVD's etc.
The flat screen could be hung above it on the wall.

I have two of these book shelves.

This little desk could go in that room too.

A small cabinet that could go in that room to store games and such.

This is what the room looks like.

Can you believe it's been 2 1/2 years since we've been in this house! We will bid out the cost of doing the den turned library, but if it's over budget or if we have to start cutting costs somewhere,that would be a great alternative. Since this house could be a rental some day, we really have to weigh how much is smart to spend.

The drying rack by Ballard Designs.

And on the other side of the window, in the sunroom, there is great original wide bead board I could not replace. SO in that spot maybe a carpenter could make something like this rack for drying laundry. That room would be perfect for that purpose.