Rebecca's Questions- part I

Hello Christine-

What a treat to be able to find your blog yesterday while randomly searching the web (don't you LOVE the Internet - so much to discover). I'm so excited to get your feedback on my house. I try really hard at making things look nice, but I always seem to miss that "finished look" that I'm after. They make it look so easy on TV and in magazines. So that brings me to my living room. I'm including a picture of the floor plan so you can get an overall feel for the layout.

As for style, we live in south Texas where we have tile floors, rounded wall corners (is this called bull nose corners?), and very hot weather. In terms of my personal style, I'm drawn to the style you see in Pottery Barn catalog or the West Elm catalog. And I like things to look neat. My husband, Michael loves Asian style - he lived in Asia for about 5 years and has lots of Asian inspired pictures, scrolls, and vases. I like all of that too, but I actually try to fight against having an Asian theme house, if you know what I mean. I want both of us to feel comfortable in the space.

We have a brand new house (with identical floor plans all over the neighborhood), and I'm trying desperately to give it some personality and standout style (for now and for when we try to sell in a year or two - my husband is in the military). My initial reason for writing you is to, as I said above, get a more "finished look". So I took some photos and I'm really not happy with the result (is your house supposed to look so bad in photos??) Anyway, I think with some tweaking, things can look much better. The potential problems I see with the room:

The TV is going to be mounted on the wall, but again, until I'm satisfied with the position of the furniture and the TV, I didn't want to hang it up just yet. The entertainment unit (I know, I know - you aren't a fan and I'm not really either...) can be separated - the two towers on the end can stand alone. Or they can be left together. I don't quite know. I think hanging the TV between them (so the TV would be higher on the wall than it is now, obviously) would make them look so much better, but my mind is not made up either way. And as a side note, the door on the top of the left tower is missing, but that is on my husband's to-do list. So please respond to my questions as though that unit is intact.

OK Rebbecca- I am going to stop you there- and break your questions into different posts.

Today I wanted to discuss your TV- so you can get that hung :) I find that I just am not crazy about the whole, two tower look. And my not crazy, I mean- I just don't like it. Not long ago I was looking for an Entertainment Center for a client- and even the very expensive units that did not have an enclosure bar across the top felt awkward to me. But- not to worry- I have a solution for you that does not require new furniture.

First of all- that is your only wall for the TV- so yes- let's keep it there. I agree with you. It would be wrong to have it on the entry wall- and the small wall by your bar is too small. The wall with the window on it is also too small. However- I would center it on the wall. It feels uncomfortable having it closer to the right.

OK- so now- about the whole- "two pillar" look. Consider this.. (and by consider this- I mean- this is a great idea- trust me and do this.) Look at the entertainment center unit at the top of the post. (the Wilshire by Bernhardt) See the back of it? It is essentially, a flat piece of wood. This piece of wood keeps the unit from looking separate and disjointed- which I feel like yours does. Add a flat piece of wood to the back of your unit. Do it nicely. Keep it the same height as your columns- no need to go larger. Get a piece of plywood that will stain to match your existing as close as possible. Match the sheen on your existing unit as close as possible. Have your edges finished. Make it look professional. Then hang your TV. It will look great. It will give it the balance and unity that is lacking and make that wall look terrific. Can you see my vision? I hope you can. What does everyone think? Will it work? Any advice for Rebbecca? I will answer your other questions on another day- I have to run.

Thanks,
Christine