This one, maybe that one?

In our new living room our TV will be mounted above the fire-place… it’s already pre-wired and waiting for the TV.  This look is very common if you search living room decor ideas, or search the pages of Home Decorating magazines.  It’s a sleek look that typically presents a flat screen TV mounted nicely above a roaring fireplace, a beautiful couch and chair arrangement with a gorgeous coffee table featuring the latest magazines and flower trends.

Enter reality: Dealing with the wires from the TV, plus many TV warranties have a specific section referring to coverage if the TV is mounted above a heated area such as a fireplace that voids their coverage. Darn.

Well that isn’t actually our biggest concern… it’s when the TV is mounted above the fireplace… WHERE THE HECK DO THE ESSENTIALS GO!? The essentials being the ever-so-perfect DVR, our PS3 system, and the Wii.  We understand there is the option of Infrared Remote control sensors being added to all products and attached to the TV… however that gets pretty complicated when using systems like PS3 and Wii. 

So we have come up with the idea of having a “media center” to the right of our TV/fireplace corner wall.  It can serve as the purpose of being like a buffet/sideboard/media center/game center that will conveniently hold all the equipment plus decor.  I have searched every corner of the internet for the perfect sideboard/media tower/cabinet/buffet/table combination that I can possibly think of…. and I have ultimately come down to these three.

So please PLEASE cast your vote by adding a comment to say which of the three you adore.

Cabinet #1:

Ikea: $365.00 + $150 S/H

Pros: Love the finish, Easy to assemble, Love the look

Cons: It’s $150 to deliver, or a 3 hour drive to the nearest Ikea to pick up

Dimensions: Width: 35 3/8 ” Depth: 14 5/8 ” Height: 77 1/2 ”

Cabinet #2:

HomeDecorators.com $289 + $44 S/H =  $333

Pros:  More visible shelf space, love the look, great price

Cons: Less drawer space, want a diff. finish than dark

Dimensions: 59″H x 31″W x 13″D.

 

 

 

Cabinet #3:

Homedecorators.com: $279 + $52 S/H = $331

Pros: Like the finish of it, Love the sliding doors and handles

Cons: No hidden space or drawers available

Dimensions: 61″H x 31″W x 13.5″D.

So please, add a comment about which you prefer or any comments about each cabinet!  I am in a crossroads and at this point cannot figure which one I like alone.. I need your help 😉

CHEERS!
PB&J

Color Wheel

Just about every free moment of the day between work or being at home I’m constantly dreaming up decorating ideas for the new house.  We have always used the color scheme of browns and reds and I really wanted to add a splash a color this time when painting our house (perhaps from the persuasive influence from David Bromstad, Color Splash)! 

I’ve read from reading some other DIY and homeowner blogs that unless you have a guy who initially already has that finesse designing gene in their body that it is pretty difficult for them to picture “new” ideas in the mind.  It is far easier to SHOW them your crazy new fun idea, rather than describing it.  When I initially said I wanted to paint our living room blue, Billy didn’t seem all for it.  After showing him a few paint samples of the blue/grey color I was talking about he was on board!  So we’ll be going with the popular blue/grey color for our living room, with lots of colorful accessories and add ins.  I already have a few decorating items too that are not along our typical decor that I am hoping to use, but again will probably have to show Billy, because describing them will just not do them enough justice.  I really can’t wait to get started and show you all the results. 

Now onto our bedroom… I was thinking of bringing in the voices of our (hopefully) expanding readers right away!  We would love some feedback on what you think would be great color ideas for our master bedroom. 

For any extra ideas, or links for great decor ideas feel free to leave a comment letting us know. 

We appreciate the feedback and can’t wait to start getting the ideas flowing!

Cheers!
PB&J