Category: At Home

Media Unit “Maybes”

Yesterday, I showed you what our TV setup looks like (below, left). Yikes; it truly is a cord-tastrophe. In our old place, the setup wasn’t that much better, but at least it provided some storage and allowed us to use our big honkin’ speakers (below, right)…

Here’s what happened. As we moved in last September, the desk we had been using for the TV went to the office to hold our computer, and the sofa table got plunked down “temporarily” with the TV on it, and remained that way ever since. Please tell me the same thing has happened to you…?

Since the size was right, we kept it throughout the winter months, shopped around a bit in the spring, but kept putting buying an entertainment center on the back burner. For the past few months, we have been thinking about (and finally deciding to pursue) moving, so at this point it doesn’t even make sense to buy one until we are in the new space.

So! Assuming we both quickly secure gainful employment, we should be getting a new media unit sometime before the end of this year. I’m really putting a priority on it since it’s such an important part of the living room (that, and the sofa table has been sold so we won’t have it as a crutch anymore).

Here’s what we’re looking for:

  • Attractiveness
  • Ability to stand the test of time
  • Eclectic appearance
  • Hidden storage
  • Height negotiable

Here’s numero uno: 

We almost bought the IKEA PS in Dallas last September when we bought our dresser, wardrobe and kitchen carts. Although we got to the store early, it wasn’t early enough and all the units they had on site had already been snatched up. I have always loved the locker look, and it would be a good counterpoint to some of our natural textiles. The price is right ($100) and we like its quirkiness and concealed storage. This is definitely still in the running.

Numero dos:

I love the look of this World Market apothecary unit. It’s got the look of an apothecary or librarian’s card catalog, without the annoyance of a bunch of tiny little drawers that aren’t all that useful. So, on the one hand it’s kind of a cop out (there are just two doors that open up with the façade of an apothecary chest) but on the other hand it’s a nod to a classic look. Not a steal at $359.99, it’s still pretty cool.

Numero tres:

I thought West Elm could do no wrong, but I was not blown away by their media unit selection. This Industrial Metal TV Cart ($399) stood out to me though, because I love the strong look of metal and glass working together in perfect harmony. My reservations are that it’s a little too high (31″) and too skinny (30″). As you can see above I lean toward the low, extended models. I am however diggin’ those wheels. This is a good option if space is at a premium and I need to find something with a smaller footprint.

Numero cuatro:

Crate & Barrel had the best selection, by far. Of all the online shops I visited, their options were most diverse, attractive, and yes, expensive. Anyway, the item you see above is actually three pieces of the “ascend” system used together ($249 + $349 + $399). This system has a ton of options and the Crate & Barrel website has lots of pictures for ideas. I love our crisp, white dresser in the bedroom so much I would love to use another crisp white piece of furniture in another space.

Bonus 1:

Wal-Mart really surprised me today. While I was there grabbing some essentials, this unit from the Better Homes and Gardens line grabbed me. The price ($179) makes it a great option for someone on a limited budget who doesn’t want to sacrifice style… but admittedly, the finishes did feel a bit cheap. Still though, for only $179 it is a good option!

Bonus 2:

Isn’t this World Market Easel unit cool? I don’t think it goes with my style, but I think it has the potential to be something really special. I’d love to see an example of this used in someone’s house… I also think it would be awesome in a learning environment!

Weigh in: which is your favorite? What do you do as far as your TV and DVD storage is concerned? 

Like my product selection process? Click here for some coffee table candidates. 

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Open Your Eyes

If you’re reading this, I assume your eyes are open. What I’m really talking about here is something we really should have done to our home waaaay back last fall when we painted the exterior. Painting the wood sections between window panes.

Here’s how it used to look:

And after the exterior was painted (above picture from last September, below picture from last November):

I don’t think you can tell unless I point it out, but all the wood in between the window panes on the front three windows (and all over the house if we’re being honest) was still painted maroon. Burgundy. Whatever color you want to call it, it certainly wasn’t doing much to make the windows stand out. Which they should, because they are pretty cool!

So, finally we painted all the wood in between the frames with Olympic exterior white and let me tell you– it took forever. I don’t know if it was the paint or what, but each window took like three coats which was sooooo time consuming. I’m talking like a season and a half of Parks and Rec. Yes, I even primed beforehand to attempt to prevent the burgundy coming through, but to get a nice even look, it still took three coats.

Anyway, here’s the house now (in blaring sunlight)… doesn’t it look like the house’s “eyes” are wide open? Also, our flower bed is out. of. control.

With the bamboo blinds down, it looks most dramatic. What an update! And I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect or not, but having all that extra woodwork painted white makes it feel like more light streams into the house than before, when they were dark burgundy.

Isn’t it funny how something minor like that can make a big difference? The maroon is now banished from every square inch of the exterior. Preparing a house for sale can sure light a fire under you to take care of long-neglected details, can’t it? 

Friendly Furniture

Am I the only one who views furniture as a dear friend? Even more so than clothes, I think, I get attached to the pieces of wood and/or plastic that sit firmly and consistently in their appropriate space–they provide a sense of comfort and stability. They are what makes my home mine, not somebody else’s. (Okay, I guess a locked door helps that feeling too).

That said, we have been downsizing our funriture stash since we realize that in order to afford an apartment in San Diego, at least at first, we’ll have to downsize from a two-bedroom with generous dining room to a one-bedroom with “dining area.” This is fine. I look forward to the mild weather, the sunshine, the beach, IKEA, you know… the finer things in life. However, it’s not easy for me to part with furniture, especially ones that have been with me the whole time I’ve lived here in Kansas! For example the desk-turned-media unit-turned-back-to-desk and the small blue couch were picked up by Doug and my roommate Lisa before I even moved here! Other things have been picked up for a few dollars here and there–some were even free! It’s not like I’m getting rid of big-ticket items, but the sentimental value makes up for the low price.

The good news is that by letting go, I am allowing myself to fine-tune my decorating aesthetic and opening new possibilities for future purchases ;) I’ve been pouring over the couch section in my West Elm catalog and I downloaded the IKEA catalog app for my iPhone since last year’s catalogs have already been boxed up and put away.

And now, cheesy as it is, a tribute to list of the items that have been downsized.

The desk and the tall bookshelf:

The black headboard

The blue couch

The sofa table/TV stand

The dining chairs

Pretty cheesy, I know. But the house is still starting to feel empty and we still have several weeks before we go. Luckily thanks to my hoarding tendencies we still have plenty of chairs to sit on, even after getting rid of 4 dining chairs and the blue couch. Which means that we will probably still invite company over up until the last day ;)