I know you said you don't want to wall mount but the ultra thin mounts now are really quite slim. An electrician can add outlets above and below and fish the cable wires so nothing shows.

Are you referring to the piece of furniture it is on now? I would say paint it black, not cream. Cream will make it stand out too much.

Sorry, I don't like it. I think the shape competes with the rest of your room - which is very lovely & serene. I think a black modern style sofa table would be better, imo. Maybe something like you might find at IKEA.

Too bad you dont like the TV over the fireplace, it looks like it would be the nice spot. If you are going to use that piece of furntiure, I like the piece itself and color it is now, but not with your other wood, I vote for the black. It would balance off the dark couch you have on the other side of the room, and it would blend in with the TV as well. Dont think it would look good, cream colored with then the black TV on top.

I really like kkbtoys idea as well as the painted hutch idea.

If you were to paint a hutch I would recommend going 1 or 2 shades lighter on the same color strip as the color you choose for your walls (which are currently lovely BTW - may I ask what color they are now?). That way the pice neither disappears into the wall as if you were trying to hide it but doesn't take over and compete w/ anything else in the room (hopefully). A tad lighter than the wall color will set it apart jsut slightly.

I agree with graywings - paint it black.

Agree that the piece is not ideal for the room. But you can try to make it work first. If you paint it black, then there is going to be a big black hulk in the room, competing with the black sofa and the black fireplace hole. How about painting it the same color as the built in cabinet on the other side of the FP. You mentioned the cream of the surround -- it surrounds and complements the black FP area, and you can work with the same contrast with the TV and stand. If it's wrong, try painting it black, or sell it as cream, and then get a different piece. It's worth a try.

I think it will work fine. It is the right size to fit your needs, the top of the TV lines up with the mantel without being too distracting and the cabinet doors are so similar to the niche on the other side of the FP.

I think you should paint the TV stand the same color as the niche on the other side of the FP and use the same cabinetry hardware. Your room is lovely.

Your room is too small for hanging the TV - any higher and it would be uncomfortable viewing- my opinion.

I like it for the TV and for the room, but not in black; rather in cream or remaining in wood finish. Leaning toward the wood myself as it blends with the floor. The TV itself, when off, is black enough.

KarinL

what Magothyrivergirl suggests!

My first thought was to paint it cream. It will compliment the cream on the fireplace. If you paint it the same color as the wall I think it will look like it's floating on the wall. The cream will balance the built-ins and fireplace surround nicely.

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. I think I am going to have a look something sleeker for the spot, I have a sofa table that might work if I paint it black. I will post a pic of the table, it's in my garage, will try and get a pic asap.

I agree - cream. It is a shame to paint it, but if you can't use this piece anywhere else in the house, go ahead. Nice how the doors echo your built-in on the other side of the fireplace. Fillagirl, I agree that you don't want to put it over the fireplace.

If you still are not convinced, borrow some fabric that is cream colored and drape over it. Then do the same with black fabric. See what you think. (An old trick from before Photoshop.)

Very nice room! Makes me want to come over just to relax!

Here's the sofa table...visualize it painted black. Sorry, this is the only photo I have of it with the TV on it (right now it's in garage) Is it wide enough for the TV? Other piece better? Keep looking? Thanks, I"m having trouble with this one...
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

forgot to add...perhaps I can take all 3 doors off the bottom of the first piece and have it "open" at the bottom, so it's not so heavy looking....I'm brainstorming here, any & all suggestions/ideas welcome!

another idea that I thought of..adding a top piece to the sofa table to make it wider, and adding "corbel-like trim" like on the hutch to it...I'm full of crazy ideas tonite!

I like the hutch the way it is, even though it varies from your other furniture. If you want it to disappear, paint it the wall color/niche color as has been suggested. The door is similar to those in the niche, so it would relate in the same color.

I think the sofa table painted black could work. I would be a little worried about the brass colored edging. Wonder if it could be painted over? Could look nice if it could be made to match the silver of the mirror.

One possibility with the cabinet is remove the doors as you suggested, and then possibly add dark colored glass doors to make it look more purposeful as an entertainment center. In general, the trouble I have with this piece in your living room is that you have a very clean cut look - and really it's very striking. The mantel is a very hard edge on the top, while this hutch has a rounded edge. By taking the doors off, it could make the piece fit in better. If you were more into eclectic or cottage style, then the hutch would be an obvious fit. If you do use the hutch, I would recommend using sleeker brushed nickel drawer handles that don't dangle & clang.

Is the hutch solid/real wood? If so, I would play first with the sofa table because it is a more dated style that really wouldn't be hurt by paint/updating. If the hutch is solid wood, then there would be more value in keeping the wood visible, imo.

Overall, I have to say that I really, really like your living room. It is simple, yet very eye catching in a sophisticated subtle way.

ttodd - The paint is BM Inukshuk

Thanks to all for all your comments and suggestions. I think I will try three things:

1) Painting the sofa table black, maybe beefing it up a bit with some trim. It's old so no harm if it doesn't work.

2)Taking the cabinet doors of the hutch and seeing what that looks like. Also, looking at the pics, maybe a glass coffee table would balance out some of the heaviness in the room if doors stay on.

3) Keep looking for something better....I live in a small Cdn city so in-stock merchandise selection is limited, so maybe hope that Christmas will bring in more stock.

Will keep you posted, thanks again for your suggestions & opinions. Any other ideas welcomed!

Hmm, opinions can be dangerous... but I do have one, so brace yourself :-)

I think the sofa table is too small for the TV; it makes the TV look gargantuan and the whole effect is top-heavy and sort of sports fan/bachelor-pad, while the sideboard/buffet (or whatever it should be called) makes the TV look sleek because it has more mass and together they are a balanced and civilized composition.

The sofa table also, to be blunt, looks like a cheap piece of particle board furniture, not enhanced by the sagging board at the bottom. I don't think paint will conceal its uninspiring lines and construction. The buffet is a nice piece of furniture that I would vastly prefer to look at.

Problem of course is that YOU have to look at it, not me :-)

I do love the mirror above the fireplace, and actually like your coffee table too. I don't think it's the coffee table that demands more mass from the piece under the TV, but the TV itself and the seating furniture in the room, which has a solid look to it (which is probably why it looks so inviting!). Even with the baskets, the sofa table to me just doesn't have enough presence.

KarinL

I like the current stand it's on. I actually like the wood but think painting it creamy like the other stand would look nice. My first thoughts were black but think it would look too heavy where it's at. I think the console table isn't wide enough or beefy enough at the bottom. I still might probably paint her up just to give you a better visual. I wonder if once the doors were off the stand if you could fit tall woven baskets under there and have it look like it's suppose to be that way, IYKWIM? I like your mirror about the FP.

You're the one with the beautiful shimmery drapes that I love! Beautiful room! If it were me, I would paint it the same color as the cabinet on the other side of the fireplace. I think light and airy is always better that dark and black, if you don't need to. I don't like the sofa table. It's just not pretty to look at like the cabinet it is on in the picutre. Also, you may need the drawers and doors to hold your dvds and other components.
We have a cream colored cabinet that our tv sits on and we love it. Your cabinet also has similiar lines as the built in so I think it would work.
I have a quick question for ya: Do you find the chair with no arms comfy? I have considered one but wasn't sure if I would like not having arms. Yours is wonderful in your space.

Thank you for all your comments. Today I am going to try to get the bottom cabinet doors off the hutch & see what it looks like(the screws have a weird flower design, I have to go buy a screwdriver that will work).

The built-in is the same colour as the wall, maybe I'll try to paint some paper that colour and tape it up on the hutch. Found this pic of a cream TV stand and I think cream might just be too much going on, wall colour might be better. Joanie38, if you have a pic of your cream stand would love to see it.

Joanie38, thanks also for your comments about the drapes, they are Dupioni silk and I love the shimmer too. Regarding the armless chair, yes it is comfy but we always have our feet up on the ottoman. Not sure how comfy it would be without an ottoman, perhaps others can weigh in.

I think the cream looks like too much in the photo you posted because of the green walls with it. Your walls do not have as much contrast.
I will take a picture and try to get it loaded later.

Get some black oaktag and cover just the raised panel inserts on the three doors and also the top. See if you like the black raised panel inserts and black top...if so just paint the inserts on the doors and paint the top black...and leave the rest in the wood...try the same in cream colored oaktag.

or better yet, maybe squirrelhaven can photoshop it
for you first.

joann