Interior Designer Cindy Payne, left, and homeowner Alice Bowers unwrap blinds that carpenter Carter Osterhouse, in background, of TLC's "Trading Spaces" prepares to install in the Bowers' home. Photo by Clint Karlsen. Carpenter Carter Oosterhouse of TLC's "Trading Spaces" carries blinds to install in Jerry and Alice Bowers' Las Vegas home. The local couple won a home makeover contest.

Makeover winner Alice Bowers of Las Vegas had her "before" pictures plastered on a poster board last week, displayed for everyone entering her home to see.

"Doesn't that look like anybody's house?" she mused. "I was kind of proud of it."

As well she should be. Bowers' family-room entertainment center did look like just about anybody's house -- provided those anybodies had the taste and wherewithal to equal Bowers'. But that didn't mean the "after" version wouldn't be even better.

Bowers and her husband, Jerry, won a $25,000 entertainment-room makeover from Red Baron Pizza. And for that they can thank their own frugality -- and their grandchildren.

Near the easel with the Bowerses' "before" pictures is a framed Red Baron box announcing the contest.

"We bought pizza because the grandkids were here," Alice Bowers said. "We always look for 50 cents off -- whatever."

The lure this time was the contest. Like the football-shaped pizza, it was themed to the Super Bowl.

"There was a second-chance drawing, and so we sent in our names," Bowers said. By the beginning of March, they found out they'd won. Work started April 13 under the guidance of local designer Cindy L. Payne of Project Design Interiors; Carter Oosterhouse of TLC's "Trading Spaces" put on the finishing touches last week.

So what does a $25,000 entertainment room look like? A 44-inch high-definition television, for starters, plus a custom-built oak cabinet that fits it perfectly (with a slide-out tray for easy access to the TV) plus a "Red Eye" device that serves as the remote-control connection to the VCR and DVD equipment that's concealed behind solid wooden doors.

The cabinet also has panels at either end that look like fluted pilasters but actually pull out to reveal shelving for videocassettes and discs. Speakers are tucked behind cloth-covered doors, and glass-doored cabinets accommodate the display of glassware and other decorative items.

The project also includes a couch and matching chair; vibrating, reclining lift chair; button-tufted storage ottoman; tray table and matching ottoman tray; lamp table; coordinated fabric-cushioned chairs for the dining area nearby; and window coverings.

All of it's designed to not only please the eye and show off the latest technological progress, but also for ease of use.

"This is one of my husband's favorite things," Bowers said, pulling out the TV on its rolling tray with one finger.

"You can hide blankets in here," Payne said, lifting the lid on the large ottoman.

As Oosterhouse drilled holes for drapery hardware, Bowers looked around and proclaimed herself already satisfied.

"I wanted this all to blend," she said. "This is our room. This is where we live.

"It's fun. Somebody actually does win."