In this project we got around paying for custom built in shelves around the fireplace wall.  We went searching for two cabinets that would almost fit right into each side of the fireplace and hit the jackpot at Ikea.  The only short term problem with the cabinet is that it was the wrong color.  I immediately put my friend at ease and told her we will paint them.  As you know cabinets from Ikea come in a box - perfect for spray painting small pieces of wood.  We layed out the pieces primed them with Painter's Touch 2X and then sprayed them with two coats of Painter's Touch 2X in Ivory.  Once we were done I advised that we allow them to fully cure for 24 hours before be put them together - the harder the paint cures the better - just in case we scratch it while putting it together.  Each cabinet came with two clear glass doors which she did not want and wanted to remove the glass and cut custom pieces of mdf board and spray those as well...good idea but then I asked her if she liked the frosted glass appearance - and yes, we sprayed one for her to check out....she loved it - Applied three light coats of Rust-Oleum Frosted Glass.  This truly  finished off the cabinets.  Estimates for custom built in cabinets ranged from $800 to $1,000.  We came in just under $300. The cabinets were $120 each and the spray paint came in under $50.