apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

If all of this stuff HAS to go on this wall (and I really think you should think about how to make that not happen), then what about mounting the shelving unit on the wall above the desk?

I should have mentioned tht credenza is beautiful....

More pictures of your space would help a lot.

What's inside the credenza? Can you store the receiver there?

How about putting the receiver in the credenza, the TV on the wall just above the credenza, and your record player and speakers on top of the credenza? That way you can get rid of the black bookshelf.

I think the placement of your computer depends largely on how you use it and what kind of computer it is. Are you constantly online, surfing the net while watching TV or do you only use it to check email a few minutes each evening?

What kind of computer do you have? If it is a laptop, I would just place it on an end table next to the sofa. It looks like your desk is convertable and the file drawers swing out from the area to allow your legs underneath (am I right?). Could you use it as an end table instead?

If you use it only occasionally, perhaps you could place it in another room or create a convertable space on a bookshelf or in a closet.

I think that if the MCM credenza does not currently meet your needs for the TV entertainment center than you shouldn't use it as such. Adding more furniture to that wall to hold all that stuff is not the most aesthetically pleasing solution.

If you can get a flat panel TV and mount it on the wall above the credenza, that would help. I don't see why you can't place your record player and receiver in there as well or on the top surface.

You should move your desk to another wall but I can't help without more photos.

I think the credenza just looks squished and out of place where it is among your dark, unrelated (style wise) furniture. Maybe you could use it in your bedroom or dining area instead.

First thing that Good Taste demands has to go is the AC/DC album cover on the wall.

Look into Poul Cadovius "Royal" system in teak. I used it in a clients house. Its stunning. Its a modular system that hangs on the wall and you can add to it as needed. There is a cantilevered desk, cabinets with drawers, open shelves, tons of stuff, completely adaptable.

http://furniture-love.com/itemviewer.php?id=269

(beautiful credenza btw)

totally agree with everyone.

What I'd say is, put everything inside the credenza (receiver, turntable, and you can remove its lid).
Remove the black shelving unit on the left, try to get some kind of room divider to separate the computer unit from the living room. ( not the same style, different color...)

And if you really want that piece in your living room, really, I'd get rid of the coffee table and try to find a replacement. It's too bulky and dark (or not bulky enough if you want to go into the extreme).

I would put the record player and receiver on top of the credenza and then, put the speakers on the floor on both sides of it to get rid of that other unit.

Can't really say about the computer since we only see that one wall.

I love that credenza! I agree with so many others...integrating the stereo into the credenza and losing the stereo cabinet is the way to start.
Make that gorgeous credenza the focal point. Someday, replace the computer desk and coffee table with furniture that coordinates with that.

(the link i added shows just a small configuration with a few of the available pieces)

Very nice credenza (or is that technically called a sideboard or a buffet?) In any event, I think you might want to consider moving the two dark pieces flanking the credenza to other areas of the room or house. I'm not really vibing on the brown/black pieces next to the lighter teak. It doesn't allow the credenza, which you love, to shine on its own.

Owner here. Thanks for the great suggestions and complements on the piece-a craigslist find.Currently, the credenza houses my 300 albums, a DVD player and my CDs. There isn't enough room for the componentry and I figured it would be better to hide cluttery stuff in there. I tried every configuration. Both dark pieces are going to a friend and the album pix are already down.I do have a new coffee table that is mdc. I was wondering if those leaning/ladder shelves, one on both side, might work? What do you all think?
Also, the desktop is going to be donated as I will be getting a lap top-that was my solution for the computer. You guys are great to help me out!

To "parttimedesign"-do you think if I used the wall unit on this website

http://www.eamesloft.com/index.html
(go to bottom of page to see it)

and a leaning shelf on the other, that would be okay? Is that breaching a symmetry rule??

Boo, crowding everything in a line up against the wall. Definitely, definitely don't do that again when you replace those dark pieces.

This seems funny considering the room I'm sitting in has slate coloured walls, but that wall colour with that carpet looks kind of drab and washed out. Would you be able to change either?

There are symmetry rules?

Personally, I'd rather look at record albums than the stereo system. Why not have your albums in plain sight, stash the stereo equipment in the MCM piece, and get rid of the much-less-attractive stereo table. Sounds like you're a big music buff. Why not show it?

Your wall that all that furniture is against is pretty dark, so you need to lighten up the area. Move the Expedit bookcase to another room and use it for books and decorative items.

Move the credenza over so it's more centered between the end of the wall and the desk; that way, the desk won't seem so squished. Then move the desk over a little too so it's not pressed up against the curtains.

I assume the credenza has a back, but does it have any holes for cords to go through? If not, would you be willing to create some? Since the back probably isn't solid wood, it probably won't be too hard to do. Then put your record player inside. See if your receiver will work inside the credenza with the doors closed, if so, keep it there so it's out of sight. If you use your record player a lot and want easier access, put it on top of the credenza and move the tv off center if you can (is the stand the tv is on attached?- if not, consider removing it alltogether). If you have small speakers hide them in the credenza or on top. For bigger ones, place them on either side of the credenza.

Then I think something like this-- http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=13376&PRODID=60605 --would be nice. It would bring some lightness into the room, and it goes with the color of your credenza. I know it doesn't match what you have there, but it's modern and imo looks better than having s/t dark flanking both sides of the credenza if you don't want to or can't afford to get a new desk. You may be able to fit some records on it too. Get a couple white lack shelves and hang them in steps over your desk (kind of like you did the art, but overlapping a bit). You could lean one of your framed album covers on a shelf.

I did a really really quick mockup. It's messy, but I'm supposed to be working and this computer only has the Paint program. Just to give you an idea. Hope the link works.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b64/WeTheLiving/fixed.jpg

That's a great looking unit...if you leave the desk down you will never see the nick in the veneer. You need to measure how deep the stereo components are (including the space required for the cords in the back). Ask if it is a system (if it has a name), if it is, you can always keep an eye out and add more pieces as you can afford and as needed.

I would be brutal in what is a must have in the living room. I just turned a small closet in my house into a record depot with shelves 13" apart. When I want to listen to LP's I grab a handful I want to hear and bring them over...that way I don't have to clutter up my living room. If you can move the lp's out of the credenza you can put the stereo inside with the turntable on top.

If you can edit down I think the best looking solution would be to shift the credenza down towards the windows/doors?.
Pivot the tv into the room to minimize glare, and mount the shelving unit a little to the left of center of the space remaining (off center).

MCM looks best when it is pared down and you are allowed to really appreciate the lines and the materials.

I guess I am trying to say: I would do what I can to avoid the leaning shelf. I think you can get by without it.

also, if I may offer an unsolicited suggestion...when you reconfigure the wall, I would be more formal in the way I hung the album covers. Either stacked on top of each other in a column or side by side.

krisn, We must have been writing at the same time, so I guess some of my suggestions are irrelevant. I still think if you're going to use shelves around the credenza, go with white since it goes with the color and it's a dark wall (just make sure they are more modern, not country/traditional). Get open shelving units-so the space still feels airy. I'm not sure about ladder shelves on both sides, but I'm not that into symmetry, so it might work.

also, I doubt the shelves would be strong enough to support the weight on your record collection. You could always consider installing that inexpensive slotted track shelving system from Home Depot of Lowes. Spray the tracks and the shelf arms with the appropriate primer, use MDF shelves and prime them (do not use a prefinished type..impossible to paint), and then paint the whole thing the wall color. It will virtually disappear. That way you can install as much or as little storage as you need. I just put it in my home office. Its simple good design.

I meant to ask: is the stand the tv is on part of the credenza or is it some external piece?

1. I think I have that same TV and I know what a nightmare it was to move with, find a piece of furniture deep enough to put it on and lift onto that credenza. My heart goes out to you :) Sony Trinitron Tube?

2. If you can afford, or work up to (or buy refurbished) a flat, wall-hanging television please do, and get rid of the stand holding up the television on your lovely credenza. Arrange you wall art (AD/CD record is JUST FINE, BTW. And you clearly love it.) around the television, treating the TV as a piece of art in a grouping as well (may want to add another piece of artwork for that "odd number" rule. Not sure it matters)

3. Once that's done, place the record player atop the credenza with the lid open to show off the lovely workings. maybe place your larger, hard bound books (in the center of that book case) beside the record player with some interesting book ends. Only use 5-9 books and arrange them by size. And that thing that looks like it might be a sculpture can go up there too.

4. Take all of the ugly technology: speakers, reciever cable box, cords and cables and whatever and hide it in the credenza.

5. Take out all of your beautiful albums and display the more frequently used ones with something like this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90117166

6. Place the rest of the albums into metal or whicker baskets that can be displayed in a book case. see below (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30110078)

7. Get rid of the coffee table and go danish modern with your coffee table. Minimalistic, same color/wood material as credenza. Perhaps narrow round oval? Mimmic the credenza legs.

8. Big assumption: I'm going to go ahead and assume there's an identical wall behind the couch and that you have some wall space to the right of the slider. There's a lot of room between the credenza and the couch. (Especially now that you have a smaller coffee table) Move the couch several feet forward, creating a "hallway" between the couch and the wall. You've now got another living space behind the couch. Put the black desk at the end of that "hallway" (beside the slider) and place the bookcase along the wall. Display your remaining albums there, in the baskets that you've used to create drawers within the bookcase.

9. Over time, replace the bookcase and the desk with mid-century vintage pieces to match the credenza and coffee table.

10. Now you have two spaces: a cozy livingroom/media space, and an office space. Your couch acts as the demarkation between the two. Don't clutter that credenza wall with anything other than the credenza and hang more art.

You guys are so helpful. I wish I could "see" things the way you all do. I have a lot to consider (on a wee budget) but I see it as a challenge, which I like. BTW, the TV isn't attached and I don't like the shelf thing it is on. This is all just a temporary arrangement.
THe wall color does look lame in this picture. I moved it to the place with it like that. In fact, there are many colors in the place- some cool, some goofy.
I get overwhelmed sometimes and constantly second guess myself but your advise it sage and I appreciate it all!
Keep them coming!

i have a lot of cds & have them shelved in my living room. if you think albums look cluttered, you *might* consider...arranging them by color.

yes, it sounds blasphemous & way too form-before-function. but considering that a sizeable majority will be either white or black, you can group them in broad groups by color (and then alphabetize within the color groups) & it will look pretty sweet & still be easy to find. when i did this, i grouped by black, white, red, blue, & then a small group of "other."

I'm sorry to hear you don't like the wall color. I think it looks pretty good...the credenza really "pop" off of it. I would say paint the baseboards a tone or two darker, but since you don't know what the color is, I guess that's not an option.

This is kind of surreal but I have that EXACT same credenza (I begged a family member that was getting new dining room furniture to keep it out of the pile of stuff they gave to the salvation army) and did my whole living room this week as well.
I cut a hole in the back of the left side of the credenza and put my stereo equipment, the boy's X-box and dvd player inside, with my laptop in the drawer that's hidden on the right side for cutlery (if it truly is the same) and DVD's also on the right. The CD's and albums went in appropriate sized boxes on a bookcase, and on shelves above my desk in the same room.

I do have two bookcases; one half sized and one full sized, flanking the credenza that both hold books and other random things, but I "styled" them so they look uncluttered but still are functional. My desk is located beside one of the bookcases but I used a rail system from Ikea and fabric panels to divide the space and de-emphasize the vast amount of furniture on one wall.

You've got great pieces to work with! Good luck!

ACDC rocks, particularly that album.

Mcheerio-this is the same indeed-there is a cutlery drawer.
Do you by chance have a picture? oaklandken@yahoo.com