San Francisco Bay Area - 1950's ranch for modern update

by maryjknowles

1950's ranch for modern update

I am attaching pictures of the living room fireplace area in a home we recently bought and will start to remodel in 6 weeks. We are thinking of a low modern fireplace insert. We will place our flat screen 42" TV above this. The seating plan/space makes this the best placement. Two dilemmas: how to design a clean, contemporary look but have shelves or some design to fit all the extra electronics: cable box, DVD player, speakers, etc. I want the electronics to be very accessible: i.e. preferably not behind doors. The second dilemma is what materials to use. I am considering a modern 12"x24" tile or possibly Hardiboard or wood? We are creating a cathedral ceiling in this room and using modern furniture and new windows and oak flooring, etc. Our goal is an updated, modern, somewhat minimalist look throughout our home. Thank you for your ideas, questions and suggestions.

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Kaplan Architects, AIA This is a nice large room and it will benefit by raising the ceiling. I think that is a good move.

4 months ago · Like

Amplio The room looks like it has a lot of poetical
I would not put the TV above the fireplace. Any chance it can fit somewhere else?

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles Thank you. I am debating between an inverted V or one upward slope for the ceiling. Also a PS re: the fireplace update design. We do plan to create space using fir strips to bump the modern facade out enough for the TV wires. I have seen suggestions for electronic equipment with wireless signaling but my husband (IT guy) says this is quite expensive:) Thank you for suggestions/opinions about how to proceed with this project. As you can see there is little room between the fireplace and the windows OR under the windows.

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles I have pondered having the TV on the side wall but the distance is either too close or too far for placement of our sofa/chairs to watch TV. I am quite addicted to what my husband calls real estate PORN and also movies so this is a big part of life:). I want to keep things clean/simple for the sake of a quiet space unless the TV is on.

4 months ago · Like

Amplio I would keep the fireplace design simple

Living Room

Family Room

Lew Loft

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles (NEW picture attached) Also please note the view from this living room into the dining room area which will also be updated with a modern version of a "harvest table" and modern wine jug pendants x2, a mix of modern chairs and a clean modern white sideboard with a wonderful large rectangular painting of a Romanesgue closeup of a modern woman's face to go along the wall on the right. The windows you are looking at will be replaced with two sets of full length sliders and fixed panels. My goal is light and the view of the woods/garden in back. A lovely Italian family lived in this home and the traditional furniture is now removed. Thank you.

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles Yes, I like your examples of the simple fireplace ideas. We are not sure if we can simply tile in front of the upper portion of the fireplace to create a low modern line? Or is there a safety issue when you have a fire going? We are trying to avoid the cost of an insert. Also have to figure out how to use the available gas line to add glass or whatever. My husband also worries about ruining our TV if we keep it low above the fireplace? I have read on Houzz that this is not usually a concern.?

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles What do you think about placing some clean simple open cubby/shelf under the windows on each side and tie it in with a tile facade over the fireplace? I want to avoid having these "front and center". Use two materials high and low with a new mantel? Thank you for your guidance.

4 months ago · Like

Amplio What kind of furniture will you have in the living room?

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles I can't afford to change out my furniture completely at this time. So there are two brown leather loungers from Crate and Barrell and a taupe microsuede sofa from Pottery Barn. I plan to add a more mid-century occassional chair: Eames or other type. I have a 8' x10' silverish gray and off white plush area rug and contemporary glass tables. In the future I hope to change the sofa and loungers to more mid-century or modern choices. I appreciate your help!!

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles My husband did more research and feels the wireless set-up with our electronics in the closet may be a possible solution. Also I am steadily falling in love with a wood covered ceiling with wood rafters over that. And what about a dyed plaster above a tiled lower fireplace? I appreciate your adivse!

4 months ago · Like

Amplio Do you have any pictures of inspiration? Of the ceiling.

4 months ago · Like

Amplio And a floor plan, the room looks big?

4 months ago · Like

olldbobbi I would create an 'open front' mantle to house the electronics inside, something that would look like a long box but trimmed with interesting molding. With this the wires and cords will be less prevalent.

4 months ago · Like

maryjknowles Thank you fo your persistence. I am going to try to attach some houzz examples that I love. Not sure if the asymmetrical wood covered ceiling with faux beams over that will work here but that is what I am drawn to. The room is quite big: 24x16 feet. I will try to attach a sketch or our blueprint.

Re: the 'open front' mantle. The mantle would have to be very deep to house the dvd player, etc. I don't think it would work with our situation. But I loved the idea. We are continuing our research of using the closet by the front door which is about 12 feet away. i.e. remote control extender

4 months ago · Like

olldbobbi Actually, if you add corbels on either side of the mantle you could make it deeper. [houzz=

Corbels

]

4 months ago · Like

TVCoverups Mary, I think you may want to consider TVCoverUps. Based on your description of what you envision the room to look like as well as the concern about placement of the TV equipment- TVCoverUps is a solution to this. Framed art or panel adds to the room's decor, until it swings upward to reveal the hidden TV. Inside the TVCoverUps, the cable box, DVD player, speakers, wires and any other consoles can be stored. It will also give your room a modern, simplistic feeling- especially when you consider the space you will save on not having to buy additional furniture for the TV equipment. It comes in automatic and manual lifts and also allows for TV tilting hardware. Each unit is custom to the viewer and space, so it is always best to give us a call.