A New Look at Technology in Design

Sometimes it can feel like technology can get in the way of our home decor. A huge screen TV might not go along with your rustic look, but thankfully there are some clever ways of designing your space around your screens:

via Houzz

Built in cabinets are a great way to go! You can mount the TV on the wall or just place inside the cabinet and have a gorgeous space without the eye sore of screens, wires, and devices that with it!

via dwellerswithoutdecorators

A fireplace is a gorgeous focal point of a room. A TV sitting above it is not! Having this slide away piece on top of the fireplace gives you that gorgeous focal point when it's put away and functional for every day living. 

via mcinteriors

Under the stairs storage has always been a favorite of mine. Storing your TV in the under stair storage is a brilliant idea! It won't break up the flow of the room when it's put away and when you do have it out, it's in perfect view with the rest of the room! 

via Houzz

Using a large photo split in two is a brilliant way to hide the TV. I love the idea of the ceiling mount track for the pictures so you could change out the art pieces if you wanted to later.


via potterybarn

Buying a good old fashioned wall mount to set your TV in is perfect if you are looking for a quick and easy fix!


via pinterest

Don't like the thought of going through the trouble to hide your TV? Try using your it as a centerpiece for your art. Placing your pictures around the it strategically can give the wall a great look without covering up the screen. 

My interview with Apartment Therapy's Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan

I was so honored to have a chance to chat with Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. He's the founder of Apartment Therapy, which was the first design blog I ever discovered and what ultimately inspired me to start blogging. We talk about "techorating," - successful decorating with technology that merges function and design. Below is the video of our interview, some still images, and even more tips from Maxwell on techorating.






Maxwell in his chic office at the Apartment Therapy headquarters.

The latest book from Apartment Therapy - "Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces," is packed with ideas for integrating technology into your decor beautifully


Apartment Therapy headquarters.

Techorating in action at Apartment Therapy. Cord management has become more attractive over the years with nifty helpers like these CableDrop cable clips.



One of my favorite ideas. I didn't even know these existed - a charging station that can charge up to four phones and only one cord. It's called the Duracell myGrid.


Instead of the outdated speakers you see above...Maxwell suggests looking into products like this ceramic Phoneofone III by Science and Sons. Your iPhone sits in the cradle at the opening and the sound is amplified. Read/see more info at Science and Sons. You'd expect this beauty to be almost $1,000, but it's actually $195 +SH.



He also mentions this Jambox from Jawbone. Completely wireless and small - but 120 DB. Cost is $199 and it comes in several colors.


Here are a few more resources from Maxwell.

An article on merging color and technology on Apartment Therapy. Click here to read.

A wiremold article for when you have to run cables/wires without drilling holes.


Click here to read.