Replies

1. 
   daverichards | Mar 16, 2008 07:05pm | #1

   Although not an Arts & Crafts style project, I'm working on a cabinet design for a client. The client has chosen a wall mount from http://www.mountsdirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=720 and I think the cabinet will be wall mounted as well.  The back will have a hole in it for the mount and will be placed far enough forward to drop wires down so they won't be visible. The plan is for the cabinet to hang on a French cleat above the wall mount.

   In your case I gather you don't want to attach it to the wall. I'd beef up the back of the cabinet for a mount like the one in the link and at least attach the cabinet with a bracket to the wall so it can't tip over.

   How about a drop-front sort of cabinet? Make the front panel swing down and slide in under the TV.

1. 
   Prado | Mar 17, 2008 09:12am | #2

   Sounds good. So far I've thought about two general approaches.The first is to build a cabinet tall enough to house the TV at a good viewing angle (though I don't know how attractive such a cabinet would look in my living room given the dimensions of the wide screen). Its 4 doors will slide open. The two middle doors will house the TV.Plan "B" requires a smaller TV which is housed in a buffet-like cabinet. 2 of its 3 doors open and are tucked inside the cabinet to expose the TV.I really have no perfect spot for a TV given the architecture of my home and the great number of windows and the wainscoating (?) throughout the family room, dining room, and living room. Personally I'm opposed to a TV in the more "pubic" space of our home. I'm fine w/ a small one in our bedroom...And you are correct, I don't want to mount the TV on the wall.These are my challenges.Thanks.

1. 
   rsaunders | Mar 17, 2008 11:40pm | #3

   Where exactly is the "pubic" space in your home?"There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
   -- Daniel Webster

1. 
   Prado | Mar 17, 2008 11:49pm | #4

   By public space I mean:
   1. the living room
   2. the reading/office nook
   3. the dining roomThe only open wall space is in the reading/office nook. Unfortunately, it is too high up above the built-in book cases and desk to offer a decent viewing angle. Plus, the space really is too small.Perhaps we'll convert the dining room into a family room for some time. In which case a "false buffet table" would work well. Now the only challenge would be to hide the furniture to make it look like dining room furniture.These are the challenges of making a 100 year old house function like a 2 year old house.

2. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Mar 17, 2008 11:53pm | #5

   The first is to build a cabinet tall enough to house the TV at a good viewing angle (though I don't know how attractive such a cabinet would look in my living room given the dimensions of the wide screen). Its 4 doors will slide open. The two middle doors will house the TV.

   Plan "B" requires a smaller TV which is housed in a buffet-like cabinet. 2 of its 3 doors open and are tucked inside the cabinet to expose the TV.

   While agree that a TV would not "fit" into a Craftsman home, join the "information age" and combine plans A & B. You need a wide screen TV. It can be placed in a Craftsman style buffet if you try hard enough. Actually one should look very nice in your home and will be something you'll enjoy as well. It could even be built in like many Craftsman pieces were. Here[s a link to one that I found that would work out fine:

   http://www.singularengineering.com/Projects/Cabinet%20Work/CabinetWork.html

   Just substitute doors hiding the TV where the mirror is. Just a thought. I'm sure that there are many different designs that you could use.

2. 
   Julmer | Mar 18, 2008 12:57am | #6

   It not exactly what you've described you want, but here was my solution to a stand/piece for a large screen TV in a room that has Mission/Arts and Crafts furniture in it.  It's not a flat screen, but a rear projection so I need some depth in the upper sections to house the TV.

   I knew that the stand/cabinet would out live the TV, so the bottom unit can stand alone in a future life. The columns can be resized/moved to accomodate a larger/smaller TV.

   Maybe it will give you some addtional ideas of what would work for you.

   JohnU

    

    

   
1. 
   Prado | Mar 18, 2008 01:03am | #7

   Wow!
   Thanks!

3. 
   JMadson | Mar 18, 2008 06:08am | #8

   Prado,

   I went to the Stickley Furniture website to look at their catalog. I printed a chunk of the catalog and attached it here.

   I think the one on the catalog's page 77 could work for you. It might be too tall though.

   Hope it helps.

   Joe

    

   
1. 
   Prado | Mar 18, 2008 08:30am | #9

   Thanks Joe. You are too kind.

4. 
   allen1 | Mar 18, 2008 11:08pm | #10

   I modeled mine similar to this.  More ideas on other pages of this site of really pretty furniture and cabinety.

   http://www.greendesigns.com/

1. 
   Prado | Mar 19, 2008 12:57am | #11

   Thanks.
   At this point it seems that most pieces leave the tv exposed.
   I really hate the television as a designed element. It clashes too much w/ the architecture of my home. My hope was to hide it. But at the necessary viewing angle, it doesn't seem that I can get a well proportioned piece of furniture.I guess I want to have my cake and eat it too.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 19, 2008 10:49pm | #12

   We faced a similar issue and I agree with you about all that screen just hangin about when not being viewed.

   I plan on making a picture frame for our flat panel screen to be wall mounted.  Haven't decided whether it will be covered or maybe run the PC screensaver into it and change scenes.  I've also toyed with the idea of building the screen into the wall with doors to close it off.

   Below will be a QA style sideboard which is being built now (yes, I know there's no such thing).  This will house all the components, i.e. satellite receiver, AV amp, CD/DVD player, etc.  out of site with doors closed.

   We didn't want a gomping huge EC that commanded the entire room.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 3/19/2008 3:50 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres

5. 
   DougF | Mar 20, 2008 12:01am | #13

   There is another option I don't believe has been suggested: motorized tv lift such as featured at http://www.activateddecor.com/lifts/index.html.  This hardware can expand your design options.   Just a thought.

   Doug