searching for a entertainment unit
March 29, 2005 12:54 PM Subscribe
So I bought a TV, and now I need an entertainment unit in which to hide it so that it's not the focal point of my living room and so I don't have to look at something that resembles a big ugly dead eye when not in use. I'm having trouble finding one that meets my super-specific criteria.
The TV stand should be:
• cupboard-style with doors that fold back so that the TV can be completely hidden from sight when not in use;
• small and unobtrusive - not much bigger than 24" wide, 20" deep, and 50" tall;
• warm pine or oak finish;
• classic in style; and
• priced at $500 (Cdn.) or less (though I can go a little higher if absolutely necessary).
I kind of like this one from Sears, but it's much bigger than I would like.
&clist=018980323803:12b6f000140d94:12b6f000140f59">This one from Home Depot is close, and I might end up going with it, but it is still a bit big and somehow not that appealing design-wise.
I have also looked in Leon's, the Bay, IKEA, Bad Boy's and assorted other furniture stores without finding a piece that will do.
Can anyone recommend other stores (online or Toronto-area) that I should check or a Toronto-area cabinet maker from whom I could special order such an entertainment unit?
The TV stand should be:
• cupboard-style with doors that fold back so that the TV can be completely hidden from sight when not in use;
• small and unobtrusive - not much bigger than 24" wide, 20" deep, and 50" tall;
• warm pine or oak finish;
• classic in style; and
• priced at $500 (Cdn.) or less (though I can go a little higher if absolutely necessary).
I kind of like this one from Sears, but it's much bigger than I would like.
&clist=018980323803:12b6f000140d94:12b6f000140f59">This one from Home Depot is close, and I might end up going with it, but it is still a bit big and somehow not that appealing design-wise.
I have also looked in Leon's, the Bay, IKEA, Bad Boy's and assorted other furniture stores without finding a piece that will do.
Can anyone recommend other stores (online or Toronto-area) that I should check or a Toronto-area cabinet maker from whom I could special order such an entertainment unit?
Crate and Barrel might have one too. Or you could just find an armoire you like and use that.
posted by amberglow at 1:08 PM on March 29, 2005
posted by amberglow at 1:08 PM on March 29, 2005
Do you folks in the frozen North have unpainted furniture stores? When we were shopping for a tv armoire, we visited one of these joints. Plain pine, stain or paint as you wish, doors, shelf, etc.
posted by fixedgear at 1:20 PM on March 29, 2005
posted by fixedgear at 1:20 PM on March 29, 2005
I had a similar problem a while back. I decided to pursue the custom route. I talked with a friend of mine who builds custom homes for a recommendation. However, the bid I got back from that cabinet maker was way out of my price range. I then went to craigslist. I found someone who was new to the area, but had a good record. I learned enough about cabinet making so that I could talk to him and feel comfortable that he knew what he was talking about. In the end, I went with him and I actually paid less than what I would have paid at a furniture store (He charged me basically materials x2). I am very happy with the result.
I will note that based on your description and links, an unfinished furniture store will likely have exactly what you want, they are filled with oak and pine pieces. I went with custom also b/c I wanted a more contemporary looking piece that is harder to find.
posted by bove at 1:27 PM on March 29, 2005
I will note that based on your description and links, an unfinished furniture store will likely have exactly what you want, they are filled with oak and pine pieces. I went with custom also b/c I wanted a more contemporary looking piece that is harder to find.
posted by bove at 1:27 PM on March 29, 2005
ug...Didn't see amberglow's great suggestion.
posted by thomcatspike at 2:07 PM on March 29, 2005
posted by thomcatspike at 2:07 PM on March 29, 2005
Second fixedgear's pointer on the unpainted route. Also, for maximum unobtrusiveness, look for a corner unit -- it really tucks away into the room.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 2:23 PM on March 29, 2005
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 2:23 PM on March 29, 2005
I "fourth" the suggestion of armoires.
You can retrofit armoires with shelving. English or French country pine antique units work well. You might scour antique shops in your area (or, the Web) for affordable units.
It also depends on if you find a style you like and one that "fits in" with your living environment.
posted by ericb at 5:55 PM on March 29, 2005
You can retrofit armoires with shelving. English or French country pine antique units work well. You might scour antique shops in your area (or, the Web) for affordable units.
It also depends on if you find a style you like and one that "fits in" with your living environment.
posted by ericb at 5:55 PM on March 29, 2005
oh, you may need to reinforce the shelf of the armoire if the tv is big/heavy--you can use ply under each end or even those metal L brackets.
posted by amberglow at 6:56 PM on March 29, 2005
posted by amberglow at 6:56 PM on March 29, 2005
Given the limited criteria about the display, it's hard to advise you intelligently. What size, shape, and confabulation is this infernal device?
Is it a 16x9, or 4 x 3? What kind of display is it? Is it fixed-pixel flat-panel, or a raster-scanning tube? Is it a CRT, Plasma, TFT/LCD; or a rear-projection LCOS, DLP, or LCD?
Your cabinet size suggests displays (possibly) as large as 42". From your skinny 20" depth requirement it seems as if you must have purchased a TFT/LCD, as opposed to a CRT; in which case weight considerations would be less problematic.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 12:50 AM on March 30, 2005
Is it a 16x9, or 4 x 3? What kind of display is it? Is it fixed-pixel flat-panel, or a raster-scanning tube? Is it a CRT, Plasma, TFT/LCD; or a rear-projection LCOS, DLP, or LCD?
Your cabinet size suggests displays (possibly) as large as 42". From your skinny 20" depth requirement it seems as if you must have purchased a TFT/LCD, as opposed to a CRT; in which case weight considerations would be less problematic.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 12:50 AM on March 30, 2005
Have you checked out overstock.com yet? There's a good chance they'll have something you'd like.
posted by LadyBonita at 1:05 AM on March 30, 2005
posted by LadyBonita at 1:05 AM on March 30, 2005
Response by poster: My TV is a 20" 1997 TV that I bought used a few months ago for $85. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't even know what a lot of your terms mean, Pareidioliactic Boy. But my TV is definitely not a plasma. It's about 18" deep, so my measurements reflect the smallest size cabinet possible.
posted by orange swan at 3:48 AM on March 30, 2005
posted by orange swan at 3:48 AM on March 30, 2005
This End Up $718 Classic Video Cabinet.
Dimensions are a bit big: Size: 39"L x 23"D x 51"H
Q: What kind of wood do you use for your furniture, where does it come from, and where do you make your furniture?
A: We work closely with our suppliers to ensure that our Yellow Pine comes from sources with active reforestation and renewable resource programs. Our furniture is made in our manufacturing facility located in Sanford, North Carolina. We take pride in the furniture and strive to provide high quality durable furniture for your and your family.
posted by Feisty at 6:12 PM on March 30, 2005
Dimensions are a bit big: Size: 39"L x 23"D x 51"H
Q: What kind of wood do you use for your furniture, where does it come from, and where do you make your furniture?
A: We work closely with our suppliers to ensure that our Yellow Pine comes from sources with active reforestation and renewable resource programs. Our furniture is made in our manufacturing facility located in Sanford, North Carolina. We take pride in the furniture and strive to provide high quality durable furniture for your and your family.
posted by Feisty at 6:12 PM on March 30, 2005
Response by poster: Thanks for all the great suggestions, everyone. I'm going to check out a place called "Naked Furniture Ltd." here in Toronto. I will keep the armoire idea in mind, and if all else fails, get something custom made.
The difficulty with buying anything used is that I have to figure out a way to get it home. I don't drive and this particular item is not likely to fit in a taxi, so it's a challenge. It sucks though - if I could scour Goodwill and the like for pieces I could fix up, my place would be all furnished by now.
And Lady Bonita, thanks for introducing me to overstock.com! They didn't have anything that was just right but I will definitely be using that site as a shopping resource from now on.
posted by orange swan at 8:33 AM on March 31, 2005
The difficulty with buying anything used is that I have to figure out a way to get it home. I don't drive and this particular item is not likely to fit in a taxi, so it's a challenge. It sucks though - if I could scour Goodwill and the like for pieces I could fix up, my place would be all furnished by now.
And Lady Bonita, thanks for introducing me to overstock.com! They didn't have anything that was just right but I will definitely be using that site as a shopping resource from now on.
posted by orange swan at 8:33 AM on March 31, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
We found ours there, it's an elegant Asian-looking cabinet, not too huge, with a glossy circle on the front and a sliding bar to lock the doors. Kind of like the Asian one on this page, only taller.
posted by GaelFC at 1:04 PM on March 29, 2005