Accessorizing the Media Cabinet

Hi Christine,

 

 

I have to start off like many others and say I love your blog!  I have learned so much!  I also have learned that I have made many mistakes, and I am working on fixing them.

 

My current dilemma is that my husband just hung our flat screen tv on the wall.  It looks so nice on the wall, but now I need to accessorize the media cabinet.  How do I do this?  I cannot overlap the items over the tv, as if the television were a picture.  My husband would not let that happen, and I cannot blame him.

 

Can you help?

 

Thank you for your time,

Laura

Hi Laura,

I'm flattered that you read enough to mention overlapping!  I think this is a great question. Let me give you a few ideas.

Idea #1- Just accessorize on the side of the TV.  Sure there's no overlapping, but if there's a place you can get away with that, it would be the TV console.  Still be sure to have the accessories overlap with each other. 

(photo from Crate and Barrel)

Decorating to the side is especially easy with a larger console, and increasingly difficult as the size decreases.

Look at the photo below.  It is similar to yours, with a single plant to the side, but they then added a tray, which is nice and low, still filling a generous amount of space.

(Room and Board)

Know too, that you don't have to have the console centered under the TV, you can shift it to the side, giving you more space for decorative accessories with the asymmetrical look.

(Design Sponge)

Idea #2 is simply to go low.  You might have furniture that would have obstructed views with the decor in the photos above, forcing you to not have any decor higher than the TV screen.  If this is the case, go low.

(Crate and Barrel)

Here is another example with lower decor- I love the use of the books.

(Room and Board)

Idea #3- Overlap- but just with the TV, not the TV screen. 

(Pottery Barn)

Notice how the jacks and the box with the remote overlap the TV a tiny bit?

(Pottery Barn)

Here they push it to the limit, overlapping without covering the screen at all.

(Pottery Barn)

Notice how the accessories on the outside are the overlappers?  That gives the arrangement unity.

(Pottery Barn)

It really comes down to how you've decorated your entire home.  If you have a very simple, clean modern look, you may not need any decor on your console at all, or very little, like the small group of succulents, or the two vases.  The more provincial your feel, the more you will want to add accessories.  Make sure you take into consideration every seat, so you don't end up with one chair that "has the vase in the way." 

Thanks for writing in!

Christine

Today's Entertainment Center

Ever since the flat screen- the "entertainment center" look has been entirely different. People don't want a unit that doesn't show off how thin their new screen is- and yet- on what frequently is the focal point wall- having just a flat screen there is also not always the best design solution. This is especially the case in a more traditional interior. The modern look is perfect with a simple screen. As a designer- I am always keeping an eye out for units that I like. Today I came across this unit from Grange. I liked it. What do you think? Have you seen any entertainment centers lately that you liked?

Amira from Canada's Kitchen Conundrum

Hi Christine,
I recently started reading your blog and it made me realize how in over my head I am! (but I love it)
My husband and I bought a new house that is almost done being built. It was an inventory home so we didn't get to choose the finishes - but everything is brand new. Since we're moving across Canada (over 3000 kms!) we're not bringing any furniture (and it's student furniture anyways so we won't miss it - bad memories). We're starting from scratch and I'm feeling very overwhelmed. Where do I start?? Start by reading this post. :)

The kitchen is as you see in the photos - with granite shown in the samples. The sink is in the centre of the island. I feel like there's something wrong in the kitchen but I don't know what it is. Perhaps that it feels like a whole wall of cabinets which should be broken up? Perhaps??? UHH- yeah- that's what it is. Whoever designed that was considering function- and perhaps cost- but not design. I'm not crazy about the cabinet colours but we can't handle the expense of replacing them at this time, especially since they're brand new. I was thinking of maybe replacing just a few with the glass cabinets to break it up a bit? I'll give you a few ideas below. Also, I need an idea to add colour into the kitchen. We haven't chosen a backsplash or anything yet, so that might be an option. For it to really look right- you need to use the colors in your granite from which to select backsplash colors- so I'm not exactly sure what you mean by color- but if you are referring to colors like red, blue, or green- no- I would stick with colors like cream and beige in the backsplash.

The family room has hardwood called "chocolate" which wasn't installed when I took the pics. There are 2 large windows on either side of the fireplace and it's open to the kitchen. I can't think of anywhere to put the TV except for above the mantle - to have a single focal point. Can I still do that even though it has that recessed space? Yes- this is where you will want to put the TV. It might look awkward- requiring some drywall work. Check out this post- where Dawna had the exact same issue. Since the room is small, I feel like the only option is to push furniture out to the walls. You keep saying that's a no-no but I don't know what other options there are in this case. Yes- you are right that in smaller rooms- you don't always have the option. I would put a large sectional along the walls and then a generous chair in the area that meets the kitchen. The chair at least doesn't have to be against the wall. Then get a big ottoman or coffee table in the center. I also don't know how to choose colours for the family room that will look ok with the kitchen colours. I know if I choose things it will end up being all neutral and no colour (which is not what I mean to do - it just happens). Let me address the color issue in a second post...
I attached the floorplan - but it's a mirror image of what we have.

Please help!

Amira

Well Amira, I have given your kitchen some thought and simply have not come up with a fantastic inexpensive solution for your huge wall of solid cabinets. Please readers- if anyone has a good idea- let her know. However- I have come up with some solutions- they would just all cost some $$$.

1. Replace some of the large wall of cabinetry with open shelves.
2. I did like your idea of replacing some with glass- or you could use a number of different materials- like - for instance the chicken wire below. If your cabinets are not a high enough quality- you will not be able to simply take out the raised panel and add glass- it will mean total door replacement...
3. Below is another look- with the doors on the middle and uppers going to an interesting glass panel.
4. You can remove a section entirely- add a counter and make a beverage bar.
   

New houses have so many advantages- I am sure you will be able to overcome these little obstacles and love your new place- it really will be beautiful. 3000 kms is a big move! Check back and I will post later on your color.

Thanks,
Christine

The Camouflage TV

Do you sometimes think your TV sticks out too much in your room? Do you wish you could have a camouflage TV- like those frogs and lizards- that seamlessly blend into their surroundings? I came across this bedroom in my House Beautiful magazine this month and loved the camo nature of it... What do you think?

The Large Awkward Media Wall

Hi Christine,

You are an absolute riot! You totally crack me up. I am so lucky to have found your blog. I wish we could do this in person! Love your style. I noticed you have become increasingly popular so I am sending this real quick before you become the next Candice Olson and are way too busy for lil' ol' me! I wanted to wait until the house was in perfect order and all clean but the fairies never came to magically make that happen for me. Darn them!!

I was thinking I should raise the tv up and put it on the wall. Then a tall espresso colored bookshelf on the right side of the entertainment center?? Floating shelves above it all? A huge painting or one of the photo wall templates you posted to the right of it?

Thanks so so much in advance! Enjoy the holiday season. Oh yeah!! That reminds me! WHERE THE HECK SHOULD I PUT MY CHRISTMAS TREE TOMORROW?? (I'm sure I'll have it before you reply but I'll move it if you say to!!)

Thanks,
Kathy

Dear Kathy,

Where should you put your Christmas tree?? Hmmmm.. In the attic. Sorry- but I have quite a pile of questions to respond to. I really like your home. Your view is amazing. I cut your questions up to respond in different posts. I wanted to focus on the TV wall today. I have the perfect plan for you.

The wall needs to be and have two things.

1. Functionality. You need the TV to stay pretty close to where it currently is.
2. Scale. We need the wall decor on this wall to have better scale in relationship to the wall itself.

   My solution? Start with a very long media cabinet. The one above is 86 inches long- from Global Views. I liked this one not only for the length- (I don't have your measurements- but you might want one even longer) but also for the colors in the teak. They would be perfect in your place. The TV would be hung on the wall- on the left. To the right- go with your idea of floating shelves. Keep in mind that- now that you have a piece of furniture on the wall- the relationship we are concerned about primarily is the wall decor to the furniture. We actually have two relationships here- the furniture to the wall and the wall decor to the furniture. Got it?

These shelves are from Pottery Barn- not the right color- but I wanted you to get the visual. You can have your wall decor extend a little on either side of the console- but keep it pretty symmetrical- and keep the decor on them simple. You want to maintain the clean simpe lines of the room. I would do three shelves.

Don't worry- I am sure that I can get to your other questions before I take over Candice Olson's job. ;)

Thanks for the compliments though. :)

Christine