Lark was featued in the the Dallas Morning News! Here’s what we had to say to the Dallas community about televisions and interior design. Article by Ryan Connor:
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Many of us enjoy watching our favorite movies, shows and sports in the comfort of our homes, but a large TV hanging over a beautiful mantel or amongst our artwork isn’t always the most eye-pleasing addition when it comes to interior design. However, with new, lower profile television models now on the market and a reconsideration of previously accepted design “rules,” you can feel good about bringing TVs back to your living spaces. “I feel like maybe five years ago it was a little more controversial,” says designer Traci Connell, owner of Traci Connell Interiors. “But now I don’t feel like it’s a must for me to hide a TV. Our homes are a haven — a place we can relax and let go and be comfortable. And that includes watching TV and escaping.” To learn how to ensure your TV completes — rather than competes with — your aesthetic, read these recommendations from Connell, along with designer Janelle Patton, principal designer and owner of Lark Interiors.
Consider swapping out your traditional TV for a design-friendly version
Once thought of as a design no-no, hanging a television in a pretty space is now an acceptable move. And with The Frame television by Samsung, it can actually function as a work of art. “For a long time we were trying to cover [TVs] up,” says Connell. “You’d have a TV over the mantel and maybe you’d get a large piece of canvas art with a wooden frame to cover it. But in came the Samsung Frame TV, which has a thin, linear profile and it doesn’t protrude. It’s totally flush against the wall.”
Patton also loves designing with the Samsung version, especially for its interchangeable and custom design features. For a few years, you could only purchase a black frame, but now there are magnetic bezels available in multiple colors and styles, so you can easily switch them out on a whim. “There are fun unique frames you can find on Etsy,” says Patton. “You can even make it look like a piece of ornate artwork.”
Height matters when hanging your TV
In the past, designers resisted the idea of hanging a television over a mantel, but that design rule has started to evolve, especially when it comes to the family room. The mantel is usually the center of the room, and it makes sense to configure the furniture pieces around it, so it’s the natural spot to place a television. And yes, even if you don’t have a thin-framed TV like the Samsung version, it’s still okay to hang it above a mantel. But how high you hang the TV is important.
“My preference is to hang it on the lower side of things,” says Patton. “TVs are typically hung too high, especially when it’s above a mantel.” Patton does note that sometimes you are stuck hanging a TV higher if your mantel is already tall, but she agrees that it’s a better option than hanging it on the side of the fireplace. “It can create competing focal points and your eye doesn’t know where to look,” she says.
Connell’s rule of thumb is to hang a TV about 56 inches off the floor, but keep in mind that the measurement is to the center of the screen, not from the bottom of the television. The bigger the TV, the higher it may hang. “Say if you have a 65-inch TV, you may go about 65 inches from the center of the screen to the floor,” she says.
What’s our very best design tip?
What’s the very best design tip of all? Hire an interior designer! Interior designers can save you money, time, and your sanity. Learn more from the blog post linked below.
