A popular home design trend these days is to install a large-screen television above a fireplace. Homeowners like being able to enjoy a cozy fire while watching the game or a movie. However, the electrical cords pose a challenge to keeping the area neat and attractive. Marvelous Woodworking has devised a solution.
The Skills of an Engineer
Doug is an engineer, so he cannot help but apply those problem-solving skills to every project he undertakes. Faced with this dilemma, he created an innovative design for a custom fireplace mantel that hides the cords while allowing access to them. And, because it is custom-made for the homeowner, the mantel compliments the architecture of the rest of the house, making it look like it was always there.
For example, in the project shown above, the existing fireplace had a plain, simple mantel. As it was the first thing one saw when entering the home, the owners wanted to make it a beautiful focal point. They also wanted to make it functional by adding storage for kids toys, books, baskets, etc., and hanging the television. However, they were concerned about the ugly wires.
Where The Design Process Began
The homeowner provided a Houzz Ideabook to convey the look they were going for, and we brainstormed how best to create it in their home. The rest of their space was decorated in a transitional design, so the woodwork had to mimic those clean lines. We brainstormed the design with our clients, figuring out the layout of the shelving, how to compliment the existing windows, and the style of the mantle. A painted wood look suited the rest of the home, therefore we planned for the project to be built out of poplar.
Our clients had considered buying ready-made shelving and mantels as an option for their project. Hiding the cords was of major importance to them. When they were unable to find the look and functionality they wanted, they called us. We were able to build a solution around their needs rather than those of the general population. The way we look at it, if we knew they could have bought what they needed, we would have sent them to the source. However they clearly desired a custom design.
Custom Problem Solving
One of the joys of our work is helping our clients solve problems. We listen to their needs, and go back to the drawing board to figure out a good solution. By looking for a clean way to hang a television above a fireplace, we created an innovative design that we have not seen anywhere else on the market.
