I had another place come and draw up built ins for either side of the fireplace.  They sent the quote - which is a bit pricey, but I just don't like it and I think it's because it's stark white -- and it almost has to be.

Since I have an open kitchen to living room I could also see going the same color as the kitchen cabinets, but that won't work with all of the white trim that is already in place - unless I half ass them and don't take them the whole way up the wall and leave the white trim at the ceiling in place.  They also convinced me that my original design isn't the most ideal for reasons and I get their argument.

It wasn't meant to be right now anyhow, as it can't happen before the new carpets go in.  At that point I wouldn't want them to pull the carpet back up to add the built ins, but I also think the action of putting something like that in on top of carpet is kind of gross and weird.  Is it just me?

Save your money girl, you have other things to buy and need to rebuild the slush fund.  I think I'm going to get a real glass chair mat for my computer room, which isn't cheap, but it will protect my new floors.  I also need to get the right solution for under the dog crate to protect the new floors in there and keeping the crate from moving around.

Finally, I really should call someone about the hot water tank or watch enough you tube videos to try and figure it out the slow leak of water from the overflow valve myself.