Decorating around a TV

Decorating around a TV can be one of the trickiest parts of putting together a beautiful living room. Thank goodness we don't have to work with those ugly box TVs anymore! However, flat screens still present the same problem: just WHAT do I do with it?

I've collected some pictures that show some "outside of the box" thinking when it comes to incorporating a TV in a design-friendly way.

The surprising placement of this TV is that it's in front of windows. Ever considered that? I think it's an awesome idea.

The only time it would be tricky to watch TV in this setting is during the daytime. But who is home watching daytime television?? SAHMs, raise your hands! :) But, I could get over it. If I had this wall of windows, I could definitely get over a bit of TV glare. But let's be realistic. Your window wall would probably be better suited for drapes, so you could just pull the drapes during the daytime if Ellen at 4 is your afternoon cup of tea.

{Adore Home}

Bookcases are not just for books, of course. Or just for trinkets and books. Include your TV in your bookcase! Notice how the furniture looks like it can be adjusted according to what the room is being used for.

{Adore Home via Danielle Oakey Interiors}

People often think above the fireplace mantel is the obvious choice for rigging the TV. Think again! First of all, you don't want a crick in your neck from looking up at your TV. You always want the TV at eye level when you're sitting down. This photo shows a beautiful mantel display that makes a lovely focal point for the room, then the TV next to it is accompanied by a console table and accessories that help the TV not to scream "LOOK AT ME!".

I like the basket below that stores blankets for snuggling. Because what goes with TV watching? Blankets and snuggling!

{Little Green Notebook - incidentally the home of my former college roommate}

I love the idea of mounting the TV on the wall with a credenza below. Old school credenzas especially are my fave! I'm on the lookout for one for my own living room. Love, love, love.

In this dude apartment below, the caption really sums up what you need to know about decorating around a TV: "We know you love your TV. The trick is to display it in a way that doesn't sacrifice style. Try placing it on a sleek console (like this one from IKEA) and surrounding it with interesting objects. Be sure to keep the TV at eye level but let the accessories and the artwork be the focal point." 

{3 above: Lonny Magazine}

I like how the scale of this TV coordinates with the scale of the framed photos behind it. Plus, it's silver so it does a beautiful job of blending in to the black and white color scheme.

{Domino}

Back to credenzas - I've always loved this painted one in Jordan Ferney's home.

She changed it up later with some simple art above the mounted TV.

{Oh Happy Day}

Another painted credenza. This is Joanna Goddard's home (the blogger behind A Cup of Jo). Love that yellow.

{Little Green Notebook}

*Martha

Pie on My Mind

Hello Happy Thanksgiving week! I have pie on my mind. What's your favorite? I gotta stick with my homegirl pumpkin. Homegirl? You. Me. Thursday. Be there! (I don't know, pumpkin just seems like a female to me. Weird.)

Thinking of pie reminded me of a show I used to watch. Have you ever watched a show just to enjoy the eye candy? I'm not talking about eye candy in the manly man species form, but eye candy in the set design and costuming? When it was on a couple years ago, that's the only reason I tuned in to watch Pushing Up Daisies. I didn't care too much for the plot or storyline, but would describe it as chirpy with a dark twist if you want to know.

There was a pie shop involved called The Pie Hole. Everything is more colorful when you put pie-making in front of the camera.

See that fun gold dress with all that fun gold decor? And the hive-patterned window? I smell a honey theme in this scene. Bzzz!

You see, I think the kid kills everyone he touches by accident. I don't remember for sure. But those are his dead mom's toes sticking up.

I have actually seen real man caves devoted to animal heads. But this one is creepily cool.

Floral on floral ... mmm ... not so much. But everyone's got a style, right? And if you want to take it to the extreme, be my guest.

If you want to see a GOOD pie-making show, think Waitress. And count down the days 'til your Gobble Gobble. We'll see you back here next week!

Get the Look - Mad Men Office

I just finished (a little late) watching the fourth season of Mad Men. The decor and clothing did not disappoint, as is the case every season. I especially enjoyed Roger Sterling's office this season. Black and white to the hilt! 

The artist of that black and white picture may have been Bridget Riley. If only her prints sold in cheap versions. That talking bubble in the photo below was a real quote from that episode. It does kind of feel like a vortex. Not exactly a calming piece of art, but definitely a conversation piece.

The mushroom lamp was my favorite item in the office.

If you're looking to outfit your office Roger Sterling style, look no further. These are some plausible options for getting your black and white on circa 1963.

White mushroom lamp $125

White tulip table $375

Eames style office chair $345

Black Corona chair $563

Optical illusion poster $8

Love and Lost (one TV show I have never watched...),

Martha

Parenthood Set Design

I really like the show Parenthood and part of it is because of the beautiful set design. It's set in Berkeley, which gives it a woodsy, hippie vibe. But only one house fits that bill. Another is a traditional, comfortable home. Another is a boat. Another is this one below. It's my favorite. It's open, sleek, modern and kid friendly.

Love and Little Bo Peep (I've got Halloween costumes on the brain),

Martha