Yesterday we thanked The Rev for such a beauteous day off, and then we hit the San Marcos outlets in search of treasure. Because shopping is about cultivating peace and understanding, right? If we hadn’t actually found something worthy of the trip, I would be depressed that I live such a miserable and shallow existence. On the other hand, have you seen what was happening with our tv situation?
RAGE. ANGER.
Also, WOW I really need to take some new pics of the house. But I am lazy and Ike is home sick, so no pictures today.
I suck.
Anyhow, this is what we bought to disguise our components and “blend in” with the wall. Say hello to the West Elm Niche buffet. It usually retails for $699, but we got it for $199 because it had a few tiny chips here and there. High five.
While I kept holding out for some amazing antique to come my way, it actually fits the space fairly well. And it was cheap, so when Better Half Ben figures out how to hide the components by running cable through 2x4s and bricks (probably never), I won’t feel bad about abandoning ship.
Now I just need to figure out how to style this sucker.
I shamelessly stole this image from Naomi of Design Manifest‘s pinterest, which is a total douche move because she was probably planning to post it tomorrow but I need it NOW.
To put myself back in Naomi’s good graces (fingers crossed), I’m showing her Ikea Rast hacks that she used as a tv credenza. Crafty as all get out. I’m thinking I should paint the hardware on the Niche gold, and then steal the shelf idea. Because I am a thief.
I find Celerie Kemble‘s tv set up both charming and hilarious. Should I just put a giant vase full of flowers in front of the tv, cross my fingers, and pray no one notices it’s there? Awesome.
And then there’s fabulous Laura Day. No matter how many times I post this picture, it’s never enough. My take away from this image is to make sure I tune the tv to 2001 or A Clockwork Orange before I photograph it in situ. Oh, and to buy an amazing Ello mirrored credenza, stat.
File that one under #thingsthatwillneverhappen.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have some Downton Abbey to watch. Later, taters.
No related posts.
You crack me up. Yes, that mirrored Ello credenza is just crazy amazing. I like your West Elm find though – very practical and cheap and attractive – win, win, win. I definitely would paint the hardware gold and I like Naomi’s shelf (I’m sure she’ll forgive you, by the way, she’s awesome like that). Good luck with your styling self, and yes, definitely go watch Downton Abbey – I need to do the same but laundry calls. Blechhh.
Awesome! Love it. Don’t apologize for not going vintage…it looks like a fantastic solution to your wiry woes.
I laughed out loud over the CK shot. Talk about deep denial.
PS: I would have drawn inspiration from Naomi’s Pinterest here too…the sconces are a must.
Isn’t the whole point of pinterest to steal other peoples images? I don’t mind, I honestly didn’t have anything planned with that pretty credenza, I just liked it.
Thanks for posting mine. You should totally steal the shelf idea. It’s a nice way to “hide” the components while not really hiding them. Hell at least they aren’t sitting next to the TV.
PS- I’m behind, what is Downtown Abbey?
That IKEA hack blew my mind. Also total win with that baller West Elm piece. I’m jelly.
The buffet is lovely, perfect for a TV and the related stuff. I’d skip the shelf and do a gallery wall of cool, limited-palette images above, instead.
Yikes, I would never disguise my TV by putting stuff in front of it. All my time would go into moving the stuff so I could indulge in my TV addiction! Better to just display it, proudly.
Looking forward to new pics of the house!
Whew glad you don’t mind, nay! I myself have a love/hate relationship with pinterest because
sometimes I do pin things I plan to post… And then they’re already out in the world.
Shelf idea = genius.
Oh, and Downton abbey is a PBS show. Do it.
Wendy, good call on gallery wall. I have pretty limited space flanking the tv, though, so not sure how that would look…
Love the credenza – especially with gold hardware. And Downton Abbey is the best thing ever. I hardly ever rewatch or reread and I’ve watched season 1 at least 4 times.
The San Marcos outlets is heaven on earth.
Love your plans of painting the hardware gold and adding a shelf. Maybe dip the legs in gold as well? That could be fun!
I guess I gotta check out Downton Abbey. So many of you are talking about it.
I don’t have anything to contribute on the credenza situation, but I must add: Downton Abbey, woot!
your purchase is the stuff of jealous murder rage.
i say you find new hardware to customize it.
and i too am tickled by celerie’s flower bomb styling.
that wouldn’t last 2 seconds in my house bc tv’s are for eyes.
So it seems clear, from your inspiration photos, that you need to spray the little handles in brass, OR just gold-leaf (or silver-leaf, or goldish-metal-that-is-not-gold-and-therefore-less-expensive) and poly the doors of that thing. And THEN, you need to find a remnant slab of natural stone in a nice black and put it on top. At one time World Market had 20″x30″ slabs of white marble for $20 or $30 apiece – I had big plans for a few of them, but decided to buy them “later” and we all know how that goes. Maybe they are still at a store near you?
Also, Alexis the Couch is clearly the same profile as your salmony inspiration. But while professional reupholstery will break you (and I assume that, like me, you are planning to learn to do your own upholstery Someday), I bet if you craigslist for a bit, you will find that someone already has a salmon velvet-covered couch (maybe not in the exact same silhouette, but life is compromise), and then you could sell Alexis and come out even and not have to worry about malnourishing your children, born and unborn, because I’m sure that’s not enjoyable (for you. They will begin their own program of malnourishment as soon as they start eating solid food, in the proud tradition of a free people). I am always amazed by the amazing (!) velvet upholstery tones available on craigslist. Don’t ask me why I have not yet actually bought any exemplars of same. First, I, too, have to buy a car.