Try something like this against the empty wall instead of having the TV diagonally in the corner. Getting it in a light color would help it to not feel heavy against the white woodwork.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60176299

For such a large, black rectangle, a TV cover might not also hurt, as those things tend to be black holes, sucking all eyes inward, particularly in a room with light walls.

I'd sell the tv and buy a smaller one, since you don't watch a lot of tv.

To be honest, having lived with my boyfriend's massive tv in a tiny flat, I'd say sell it and get a smaller one (or something you'd love). They look silly if they're too bid!
Failing that, I'd say wall mount it.

Well, if you want to keep the TV, look into a TV cabinet lift console.

It'll probably cost you more than the TV might - but watching movies at home might be more attractive on the big screen.

I think the look of a TV mounted on a sturdy-looking, big wooden easel might work for your space.
Here's one ready made (although expensive):
http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1613195
And here's an instructable on doing yourself:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5588119_use-wooden-easel-television-stand.html

I have no great ideas about the TV, but your woodwork is to die for!

I'm not sure about placement solutions although I agree with the other comments--- if you think the TV is too big and you dont watch TV much anyway--sell it. If you don't want to sell it then wall mount it or get a large armoir/cabinet thing.

But another word of advice--your couch seems WAY too close to that 50inch screen. You'll ruin your eyes sitting that close. I speak from experience. My ex boyfriend had a small apt with a 55inch screen about that same distance and after awhile we noticed our eyesight starting to get a bit weird before we finally decided to move the couch further back

I'd mount it on the larger flat wall immediately to the left. Nice and centred. Then move your couch and rug off the diagonal.

Sell the tv, use profit to buy a smaller one and mount it on an easel as suggested above. :) Ditto on the killer woodwork too.

I agree it looks odd. It's huge. I hate the couch at the angle. It definitely looks like you are compromising the furniture placement just to see the TV, when you say you don't watch much.
Straighten out the couch to face the fireplace. If the tv fits on a rolling stand in the space to the left of the FP, then place it there. Roll it out when you want to watch it.
Otherwise, sell it and buy a smaller one that will fit into that space in the corner inside a media cabinet or on a rolling media console. I personally would not mount it anywhere on your beautiful wainscoting.
Or you can look for a narrow and very sleek console table to set it on against that wall. The only problem is that it does look out of place in that room. It's just too big. I know I said this before, but straighten the couch. You can also turn it to watch tv when needed.

What a beautiful space!

But yes, the TV is much too large for your space. And... since you don't watch a lot of TV, I agree with the suggestions to sell it and get a smaller one (or none).

If you decide that you want to keep it, a bit of furniture rearranging will help. As it is now, the TV is the room's focal point... as though your life revolves around TV.

To remedy that, your sofa should face the fireplace -- THAT should be the focal point of the room. The TV can stay where it is, but put it on a cabinet.

Your apartment is gorgeous. I am not sure where you could put that thing so it wouldn't be an eyesore. Selling it and buying a smaller one might be the best way to go.

I think that if you do keep it, it might look better flat along the longer wall it is against now, instead of in the corner. Having it in the corner probably makes for better viewing, but since you don't watch much TV, putting it to the side might make your room feel less TV-centric.

I saw a picture somewhere (maybe Lonny?) of a TV like that on a table and they had a few decorative items on the table, along with a flower arrangement in front of the TV, which I suppose you could just move out of the way to watch TV. The way I am describing it makes it sound fussy, but I liked the way it looked and I didn't even realize there was a TV on the table until I read the description under the photo. I have also seen them mounted on the wall, with artwork that hangs in front of the TV when it's not in use.

Oh I love the rolling stand idea. You can make or buy a tv cover and leave it along the wall with your couch facing the fireplace, and when you want to watch it, roll it out a bit. Just make sure your cords will reach!

I have to agree with arroyo and alahoop. The sofa placement is awkward. Center your furniture on the fireplace, tv off to the side, to be pulled out and enjoyed on the (rare) occassion you really want to.

Can you put it up above the fireplace? And then straighten out the rug and couch.

The others are right:

Sell the TV and get a smaller unit, perhaps one that could fit within that nice little glass-front cabinet next to the fireplace?

I'd sell the TV as well. I know it's not the answer you're looking for, but it is what it is. The TV is too large for the space anyway. 32"-42" is more appropriate (I'd go for 32" or 37"). In addition to being proportional to the room it will also greatly expand storage options since there are not a lot of storage options for a 50" TV that can fit up against your largest wall.

I have to agree with everyone else who says sell it and buy a smaller one with the proceeds. Since you say you don't watch it much, it seems odd to have the couch angled directly toward it, making it the centerpiece of the room. I think I would direct the couch to face the fireplace, and let that be the focal point. If you want to watch TV occasionally, I would then situate the TV flat against the wall. You could buy a mobile piece of furniture on casters to sit it on so you could angle it toward the couch, when needed for easier viewing.

I'd trade it on Craigslist for a smaller one (lots of people would love that deal!!!) and then I'd mount the new one above the fireplace. If you want to have a decorative pull-down screen or piece of artwork leaning on the front of it to cover when not in use, that's fine too.

This leaves tons of room to put something you truly love against the far wall.

either way the sofa angle must change.

I'd trade it on Craigslist for a smaller one (lots of people would love that deal!!!) and then I'd mount the new one above the fireplace. If you want to have a decorative pull-down screen or piece of artwork leaning on the front of it to cover when not in use, that's fine too.

This leaves tons of room to put something you truly love against the far wall.

either way the sofa angle must change.

If you dont like the idea of a wall mounted tv, you can also get a large painting that you can mount over it when you aren't watching, which is what i plan to do.

Having a period place as well (have similar 5-panel doors in my apartment, love them!) I've concluded that if and when I get a TV, the only ways to do it in such a place are: (1) put in a cabinet so it isn't visible when not watching it, or (2) watch TV in another room (library or study) and not in my living room. Depending on your house, since you don't watch a lot of TV, #2 may work for you.

As to the living room, since those are the pictures you sent - you must move the couch! I'm not sure what's on the wall across from the fireplace (perhaps that hallway), but given what I can see, facing the fireplace is the way to go.

Then, if you must put the TV in this living room, try to find a corner cabinet for that corner - you'll be able to see the TV from the couch. You may not find a corner cabinet that will fit next to your fireplace trim that will fit a TV this large. You might get one you can float a bit out from the corner that will work. If the cabinet angle is not quite right for viewing, there are ones with swivel platforms to let you angle the TV once they are open.

You can also see if you can find a cabinet for it for the longer wall. Make sure you have the TV at a comfortable viewing height, not too high. Do not hang it on the wall - you have a gorgeous period room - you gotta hide the the TV.

You may need a smaller TV - not because you watch it less, but because there are definite size recommendations for TV's based on how far the seating is from them. (If you watch from the dining room table, then a larger TV on the longer wall might be right.) If you watch from the couch, smaller might be better.

I don't care if you won it, it has to fit in your room properly for viewing. If you can't sell, maybe you have a friend with the opposite problem and can swap. (I did this with my bed once after a friend and I both moved to different places - worked great for us both.)

I'm still wondering what's to the left of the kitchen door, and on that whole side of the room.

Sell it and buy a smaller one along with an armoire that closely matches the walls. Also, take the sofa and face it towards the fireplace since it's much more important than the tv for company. If you're really into tv watching for one day (like when the new box set of Dexter comes out *cough*) just tilt the couch until you've watched the entire thing in order. Twice.

No one has suggested a full-motion arm on the wall opposite the fireplace?

Glare or reflections from the window won't interfere with the not-much-TV you do watch.
The view as you enter the room won't seem to say, Hello, I am a TV!

The sofa can go perpendicular to the FP, and a couple of movable chairs will make the conversation area comfortable.

I can't work it out, how does the anaglypta wall and hallway shown picture 3 fit into the floor plan? The mirror in pic 1 shows raised panel wainscoting on the wall opposite the FP.

The sofa can be

i'm joining the selling it on craigslist and buying a smaller one camp. also agree that an armoire to hide the tv would probably be good for you, esp if you don't watch much tv. i'd put the armoire against the empty wall instead of cramming it into that corner (which could throw off the balance of that lovely fireplace/built-ins).

really cute place!

My first though looking at your apartment was 'wow this is so beautiful and there is so much character... guess the TV will have to be thrown out'. I am sure your husband enjoys his 50" so I understand it has to stay. I think you should get a low piece of furniture, not as low as the suitcase though to flank the fall. I would have the tv against the wall rather than at an angle although that might be awkward for tv watching. I have a big TV in the livingroom and I just try to ignore it...

Here is my TIP!
http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-diy/753449-floating-wall-million-colours.html

I think it's fine. There's no huge issue with the TV. If you absolutely hate it you can get a low cabinet for it. Otherwise, just save your money. it's not the biggest faux pas I've ever seen.

You don't watch a lot of TV, but have a FIFTY inch TV. Send it to me.

You angled your couch to look at a 50" TV that you randomly won? Who enters to win a 50" TV if you don't watch a lot of TV?

Get realistic about how you spend your time and how you want to live in your space.

If you were to mount it in the middle of that wall, I think it would be pretty ignorable on a regular basis, but I'm also of the opinion that attempts to hide TVs usually just draw more attention to them.

And while you may not watch much TV, I see that Wii in the corner. The smaller your screen gets, the less fun those games are, so maybe you should just make do with your giant screen ;)

Just sell it and get a smaller one....pocket the rest

Patrick LOL!
When I read your signature I wandered what of a great design idea you had that could be expressed in such a short sentence.

I think the TV is fine. Just mount it on the wall and turn your couch to face it head on and push it back so that the couch backs up to what looks like your dining table and you can enjoy a fire. Then I would put a coffee table and then two armchairs or some other type of seating with their backs to the TV. So you have a sitting area that can have the TV/Wii as a focal point or conversation and friends gathered around the fire as a focal point.

Kind of like this:

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=3459&index=15&currentPage=0&searchQuery=fireplace&searchType=photos

Or this:

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=13468&index=4&currentPage=2&searchQuery=fireplace&searchType=photos

I agree. Simply taking the sofa off the angle and having it face the fireplace would make a WORLD of a difference. That way the focal point is the fireplace and not the massive tv.

I'd get an open bottom console/sofa table - on the low side - then wall mount the tv on an articulating arm above it centered. That way you can straighten out your couch and just pull out and angle the tv on the days you intend to watch it. Put a simple nice bowl, low candles or something on the table just for show that will not be in the way of pulling the tv in and out but will look good when the tv is pushed back at the wall. IF you know someone who just purchased a smaller tv – maybe ask them if they want to trade – that way it costs you nothing since you won the tv.

Step One: Sell TV.
Step Two: Enjoy life.

I'd have to say that if you don't watch much TV and think it's too big, I'd sell it and get a smaller one! No use buying entire furniture items and working a room around something you don't particularly like.

If you must keep it, I'd do what previous commenters suggested and simply angle the sofa (and rug) towards the fireplace. It would open up the space and bring the focus off the TV.

Your fireplace and mantle are beautiful!

I'm with Fred. Sell the monster and treat yourself to something that you love.

All of the comments hinge on the fact that you don't use the tv that much. Is that true? There is a wii and other stuff hooked up to the tv and the remotes sitting out. I don't keep my wii remotes out.

I will be the philistine since almost no one hear admits to watching tv or loving having a fancy nice tv. If you actually do LOVE watching tv and having a beautiful large tv (like I do) then I would recommend the following:

1. The tv needs to be as close to the wall as possible. Mount the tv or put the tv on a cabinet with a shallow depth against the wall.

2. Hide all of the tv related paraphenalia.

3. Put something visually arresting in the vicinity of the tv. I have a large tv (I think mine is 42 inches so slightly smaller). My flat panel is low and close to the wall on a cabinet. ABOVE THE TV I have a HUGE piece of art hung (I think its like 5x5 feet painting...of a monster truck (just kidding)). So when you look at that wall its not ALL TV ALL THE TIME.

I think the mistake most people make is getting a huge tv and then putting some small piece of art on the wall next to it. Um, no one is going to notice that little painting or whatever. You really need something large to compete with the tv.

Also, I LOVE that easel idea posted.

Get a dresser or low armoire to set it on. I think the TV location, or against the side wall is fine, but turn the sofa to face the fireplace. If you don't watch it often, then it really isn't a big deal to turn your head a bit or to lay on the sofa and snuggle while watching movies. You can put a cair at the right side of the sofa that faces the TV and still keep the TV from being the focal point of the room.

The angled sofa looks awful in my opinion. If you must keep the TV (but I'm with other posters on selling it), then put it flat against the wall it's on. Twist the sofa so it faces the fireplace squarely. When you want to watch tv, lounge on the sofa lengthwise! In this setup, you could also potentially add an armchair that's perpendicular to the sofa/fireplace and facing the TV.

Diagonal lines in furniture placement tend to look very awkward. I suggest that you organize around what you do use the room for, rather than an object acquired by chance that you apparently don't use much.

If you won the TV, I wouldn't bother investing more money into getting a smaller one. Instead, hiding it away in a beautiful piece of furniture will do the trick!

It would be interesting to juxtapose your classic taste with an Asian-inspired dark wood media cabinet or you could embrace the shabby chic trend and go for something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PRIMITIVE-CUPBOARD-FARM-ESTATE-/180609847975?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item2a0d2f92a7#ht_1901wt_1139

Good luck!

might a projector work better?? maybe casio's new one that renest posted about in the fall. that and a hidden retractable screen and then, "what tv???

I really like the rolling cabinet idea, but I would pull the TV out of the corner and place it along the empty wall.

Next, I would get a much larger rug (natural grass versions can be affordable). Then orient the sofa toward the relocated TV/Kitchen entrance with an end near the fireplace, but not blocking it.

Add a love seat facing the fireplace, adjacent to the sofa. Put something beautiful in the corner and maybe even add another chair, table or ottoman......all in good time.

You may have to roll the TV forward a bit when in use, but it's worth it.

Next question, what to do about your dining room table a chairs?

Cheers!

I'm with a lot of people about a) the angle of the couch (needs to face fireplace and moved back) and b) selling it to get a smaller one. Then wall mounting on top of the fireplace with a cover (does anyone make mirror ones?) or getting a credenza and putting it adjacent to the wall the tv is cornered in facing a purchased love seat perhaps?

I like the idea of buying a dark dresser or something similar to put it on. It needs to be higher and look like it was intentional. Right now it looks like you put it there as an afterthought. Place it on a darker piece to help the black of the tv blend in with the room. I have seen some neat diy projects on here which use an old china cabinet for a new tv. home (if your tv 40 inches or less)

Also, perhaps look for an L shaped couch so that your couch can face both the fireplace and the t.v. It will look better if the couch faces the tv

hi
Im not a tv person.
And if you arent I would recommend not having your furniture angled towards the TV like that,
I would turn the TV so it has its back to the left hand wall, the align the sofa parallel. At the moment the furntiure is focusing on the TV.
Because only the right hand side of the sofa aligns with the TV, it wont appear like its just there for tv watching.
If you arent big TV people I wouldnt focus your furniture around the TV.
For me I would leave the TV where it is and face the sofa towards the fire, and back as far as you can. Then you could still see the TV but remove the focus from it because its offset.
Alternatively a fabulous vintage airing cupbaord with holes in the back for cables would be a good way to hide it from view when its not being used.
I like the idea of shutting the TV out specially if you think its a bit garish...
cheers

I say mount it on a free wall, then mount a decorative curtain road above it, so you can put up some pretty curtains when you want to watch. The rest of the time you can leave it closed, and people will probably think there is a window or door there. I've seen it done in other people's homes; if you pick a color/print for the curtains in the same family as the wall it will be subtle. Good luck!

This is an extreme suggestion, but I had similar situation once and I freakin' LOVE TV, so keep it...just hide it. My thoughts: Swap the dining room and living room out. Put that dining room table right in front of the fireplace (or nudge toward the kitchen if the room isn't big enough for the next step). Looking out from the kitchen, if you put a low sofa table behind the table, the tv could be completely hidden on the other side, facing the bay window. The sofa then goes below the Bay window, looking at the TV. If you pick the right sofa table, your view will not be obstructed to the window, keeping the room's open feel without sacrificing quality veg time.

That the big TV may be expensive, although you won it, doesn't obligate you to keep it. If it isn't earning its footprint, then jettison it. If you don't watch a lot of TV, then after releasing the big TV you may find that you don't want to replace it even with a smaller TV, and that's fine.

I agree with JenPDX and would suggest a TV lift cabinet. I have one in white. Mine only fits up to a 46" TV, but there are larger models. The site I got mine tvliftcabinet.com has a bunch of traditional models which would probably look best in your Edwardian house. P.S. love the detail work of your home. I am a sucker for built in bookcases and wainscoting.

I'd mount corner cabinet on the larger flat wall immediately to the left. Nice and centred. Then move your couch and rug off the diagonal.