Flat-screens pose dilemma

I really like TV. Many of my younger, creative co-workers and several of my friends are shocked when I tell them how much I like TV. I wish I could reassure them that I only watch the smartest shows, or those that offer some redeeming educational value. But I'm also guilty of taking in my fair share of lowbrow shows.

However, a television is not the most attractive feature of a home's interior. The introduction of the flat screen has added a level of complexity. Where do I put it on the wall and how do I hide all the nasty cords?

We decided to mount a flat screen on the wall in our upstairs family room presenting the challenge of hiding cords, and moving both the coaxial lines and the electrical outlets up on the wall. I considered other options, such as creating a floating wall out of walnut plywood that would hide all the distracting cords or building a series of simple floating boxes on the wall to hide my components and at the same time serve as design elements to hold pieces of art and sculpture.

Paris Renfroe, a reader of my blog, sent me pictures of his custom furniture work. I found some interesting treatments for flat-screen TVs and home entertainment centers. It was enlightening to see how another design person had solved the same problem in similar ways, offering me more food for thought.