Where is the tv?

I remember my Grandmother's TV/stereo cabinet from the 1960s. It was long and looked like a side buffet. It had a built-in stereo that you accessed from the top and featured multiple doors across the front which were mostly fake. The only ones that opened were where the TV resided which was also built-in.

She had the most beautiful elegant drapes that she hung from wall to wall (the width of the living room) and ceiling to floor- that hung behind the cabinet. (she also made her own tailored clothing, my first pair of bell bottoms- floral corduroy, all my Barbie clothes, my wedding dress and all the drapes for my first home). That TV/stereo cabinet paired with the drapes was the focal point of the room. She was truly a trend setter!

Remember the 80's "entertainment centers" that came into vogue.. where VCR's, stereos and the TV all hung out together in one cabinet sometimes made of lovely fake wood? You can still spot one of these treasures sitting at the end of a driveway with a free sign.

We built two custom homes in the early 2000's that featured the emerging trend of full wall entertainment centers featuring book cases, fireplace, and TV/Stereo cabinet spaces. At that time the trend was still.. hide the TV/stereo behind cabinet doors. It was a beautiful seamless solution to incorporating entertainment systems gracefully into more formal rooms.

Somewhere in the last ten years (I'm just estimating here) TVs came out of their cabinets. They became thin and sexy- no longer resembling their former boxy selves. And to accommodate these new beauties.. a whole new styled cabinet came into favor.. sleek and low.

And somewhere along the way some TVs- or should I say.. flat screens? left their cabinet homes once and for all, and started hanging out on walls. What a change! This all leads to the link I'm going to give you. I find these ideas worthy of passing on to you. Ways to incorporate your flat screen TV onto a wall with grace. You can paint a section of wall, add a textured stone wall the color of the TV, mount in a collage gallery grouping etc. Just check it out here if this interests you. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72580906?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u3710&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery1

Where possibly can the TV go next? I'm guessing there will be no TVs as we know them. Stay tuned for that!

My Grandmother's cabinet looked similar to this cabinet.. but it had wire mesh over the doors. Actually I think it is still sitting in my Dad's garage! 

A good idea.

by the Artist

While the Carpenter deals with the mechanics and the ordering and all the details of our current large project- The Modern Farmhouse- I've been assisting with design decisions when needed. It's been fun to work with the homeowners as they work through the many decisions that are needed to be made for the scope of this project. I am basically "on call" ready to lend a listening ear or do some research for materials.

I think.. no I know that this can be overwhelming with the amount of decisions that come along. Even if you have a good sense of design and know what you like and what you don't like.. it still can be taxing. 

I usually set up a secret board on Pinterest and an Ideabook on Houzz.com. Then send out the invitations to start sharing and gathering styles– flooring, trim, lighting, tile etc. It's collaborative and I like that. I work mostly alone these days.. I no longer have co-workers to bounce ideas off of.. so boards and books and collaborations scratch that itch. I also work on keeping up with the latest housing design trends. Well that is the easy part as I tend to chase shiny objects. Unfortunately my ever changing design perspective has made the Carpenter crazy at times! Well and me too. just alittle.

Why am I sharing this? For those of you that might need that type of help. Perhaps you are leaning towards calling that other builder. Maybe we would be a good fit if you know you need design help, that you know it kind of makes you crazy, and to even think about it makes you break out in a cold sweat. My design assistance for whatever question or decision you may have or will encounter during the entire length of the project is included in the project. No extra cost or fee. It's part of the deal.

And that's a pretty good deal.