You could get a better drywaller. Using the proper primer and paint will not help if the patching and seams are actual humps. The good primers and paint will only make them look worse. The best thing to use on crappy drywall is a high build primer or cheap flat paint with a high chalk content that will hide the seams the best because the paint film is thick. Anything with a sheen will highlight poor drywall, especially when the sunlight comes in.

I loved Horchow's tv wall cabs, but they wouldn't work on my adobe walls. We went with a tv lift console and I've been very pleased with it. I love not having to look at a big black screen most of the day, no matter how thin it is! The only downside to these consoles, other than the fact that they could be a lot cheaper, is that the top hinged door that lifts up makes it impossible to put anything on the top of them, decor-wise. Our lamp needed to be on the tower next to the console (which still needs to be replaced eventually) and all decor had to be on the wall above it. Here's mine open: And closed: Since we first looked at them, I've seen some other very nice wall mounted cabinets on the market. The prices are getting more reasonable and they're so darn practical, too! Lynn

I think it definitely would add value to your house because the next owner wouldn't have to go through what your going through now. I think you're right that people want more usable, functional space. Too many people think they want totally open spaces but they end up with what you have now with wasted and useless space. and in furnishing those purposeless areas, they end up with something that looks like a furniture store showroom. Boring! I agree with squaring it off and placing the French doors facing the foyer. An added benefit when finished, is you gain some wall space in your living room for a wide but not too deep statement cabinet that could hold a lot of the kids' toys and games. If you have frequent guests and need an extra bed, I like the idea of a fold-up couch or desk/bed set-up to give the room an extra function.

The cabinets have a lot of charm, I like plank doors. The construction is interesting how the face frame drops below the box, is that for undercabinet lighting?