Double Feature: Framing your flatscreen

I admit it: I love TV. In fact, I'll even admit that I secretly watch reruns of The OC on the SoapNet channel (is it just me or was anyone else surprised how many black tie events these kids had to attend? You couldn't pay me to go to one of those when I was 16 going on 25). So, now that you know my secret shame, perhaps you can understand why I put this latest idea by the all-mighty Pottery Barn on my Most Ingenious list of 07: Framing your flatscreen.

Adding a frame around a TV--as elementary as it sounds--seems to elevate the flatscreen from evil recreational time-waster to a fine art installation, worthy of watching the entire Planet Earth miniseries or a meaty Peter Greenaway film while sipping a Chateau Pétrus Pomerol. However, I'm a bit queasy about plunking down $400-600 at PB for an accessory for my television, so if any of you have a DIY Television Frame Project you'd like to share, please do! After all, I still like the idea of creating my own art installation titled, "Marissa Cooper: Rehab By Way of Peach Schnapps."

Comments (13)

I don't really like that. Maybe because the frame is too heavy. It reminds me of the console TVs of my youth... wherein the television was elevated to furniture.

I have seen a number of folks hide their flat screens behind what looks like an lovely, elegant mirror (above the fireplace say... ) The TV image glows through the glass - but when it's not on, it looks like a mirror.

I like that better.

posted by clickchick on July 24th 2007 at 9:59am
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As much as I hate decorating with mirrors, I wonder if the mirror interferes with the TV image? If not, then potentially genius!

I don't watch much TV, but I always get sucked into Huell Howser. "A frame?! That's amazing! What's a frame?!" (Sorry. Had to.)

posted by gretchen on July 24th 2007 at 10:06am
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I don't know how I feel about this. My gut reaction is that I hate it, because it seems to be trying too hard. I think my feeling is that a TV is a TV -- you can't pretend to make it into something it's not. If you have a problem with your TV, don't put it in the center of your living room. Then again...I do like the idea of TV as installation art. Very conflicted...

posted by 1roomliving on July 24th 2007 at 10:08am
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wow, i would love to see that tv-mirror solution, clickchick! do you have a link?

posted by grace on July 24th 2007 at 10:22am
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Haha gretchen, you're a-okay in my book if Huell is the reason you get sucked into watching TV!

posted by gregory on July 24th 2007 at 11:56am
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Sorry, I don't think I have a photo. (I know it was someone I interviewed so I can look on my picture files, but I doubt it.)

They said it was fairly easy to do... their electronics guy knew exactly what to do.

I don't remember if it was a special glass or not. I don't think it is.

It doesn't interfere with viewing the TV (unless you have an unfortunately placed window) but while the TV is off, you can tell the TV is behind it if you're looking for it - the clueless would look right past it.

posted by clickchick on July 24th 2007 at 12:05pm
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This is an ugly and horrible idea! Especially as flat screen televisions have grown to have such stylish, and attractive casings.

To me this looks like a disgruntled Ethan Allen carpenter attacked a perfectly innocent LG plasma... :]

posted by MaSRade on July 24th 2007 at 12:32pm
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steenks -

I saw this "television behind a mirror" at this year's Pasadena Showcase House. It was very nice indeed but also very expensive. The trademark is Seura and you can check it out at the installer's website www.dsientertainment.com

At last year's Showcase House, they featured a flatscreen hidden behind a painting which rolled out of the way into the frame! That was really cool too.

Personally, I'm alll for looking for a way to functionally disguise my tv but not inside a bulky armoire.

posted by RJD on July 24th 2007 at 6:30pm
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What is so offensive about a tv? Why do people feel the need to hide it?

I like the idea of framing it.

posted by SleepyDweller on July 25th 2007 at 3:31am
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Hmmm...seems I'm almost alone in liking this. But me reason has less to do with aesthetics than it does nostalgia. Get ready to groan and toss rotten tomatoes at me, but I remember Mr. Rogers having his TV installed behind a wall so that the screen showed through and he had it framed - I think. Or maybe he had a hinged picture in front that closed over it. At any rate, I would prefer that the screen not stay blank - it's very un-green of me to suggest, but a static image or even a rotating slide show would be nice. I can say this because it'll never affect my green quotient as I am too destitute to have this set-up in my home.

posted by One Eyed Daruma on July 25th 2007 at 3:37am
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There's actually been a post on AT about the mirror solution. I tried searching for it, but I've never had much luck with the AT search engine.

I think people generally liked it, but some (like me) were worried if the mirror would darken or somehow degrade the image quality. I don't hate this solution, but it wouldn't work on my flatscreen, which isn't perfectly rectangular, anyhow (the speaker is attached below the screen and is slightly concave).

I'm keep looking for the mirror/tv post as it was actually pretty interesting.

posted by harlie on July 25th 2007 at 1:37pm
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Hi Harlie, here are some past links about mirror screens:

http://hometech.apartmenttherapy.com/hometech/tvs-video-screens/tilevision-waterproof-mirror-tv-024799
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/slinks/slinks-003744
http://la.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-mirror-tv-009932
http://sanfrancisco.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/012607/home-tech/how-to-make-your-own-dual-purpose-tvmirror-017037

posted by gregory on July 25th 2007 at 3:33pm
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Thanks Gregory! That last link is exactly the one I was thinking of.

posted by harlie on July 25th 2007 at 4:06pm
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