Page 25 - Kerry Mann

It’s just not possible. The new backpack smell is still lingering in the hallway. The new athletic shoes are still clean and the lawns are still green. But as the stores begin to fill up with holiday décor and television commercials are pushing layaways, it is, indeed, time to get ahead before the most wonderful time of the year is upon us.

That’s especially true if you’re planning to host some of this year’s family festivities. If that’s the case, take a few minutes to walk around your home, focusing on rooms where people gather.  Ask yourself these questions. Are things looking tired? Is there enough space for everyone to gather to watch those big games as a group?

Huntington Fireplace TV Lift Cabinet

Meal planning can come much later, but refreshing your gathering spaces may take a little time. One piece that instantly warms up a room is a beautiful TVLiftCabinet with a fireplace. Imagine adding the beauty of a hand-crafted cabinet that becomes an instant focal point for your room.

I absolutely love adding pieces to my home that make a statement. The Chatham TVLiftCabinet is not only beautiful, it gives me great options for furniture placement in my family room.

Chatham Black TV Lift Cabinet

The 360-degree electric swivel TV Lift provides the best possible way for more people to get the best views of all the sporting events that are so important to my family. Plus, since this cabinet is identical in the front and back, we can place it against a wall or free standing – whatever makes the most sense to get the best flow in my room.

I appreciate that the Chatham has built-in infrared to protect the TV and electronic components from the curious fingers of my grandchildren (who love to push buttons of all kinds.) Plus it’s much safer than wall-mounted televisions - another important perk for homes with children, grandchildren and pets. Yes – I have them all, so they’re always in the back of my mind whenever I add a new furnishing to my home.

I’m especially impressed

A trend forecaster recently predicted that 2016 will be the anti-Facebook year of interior design. I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about, but I have to admit to being curious. Apparently many people are becoming so overwhelmed with over-sharing that they’ll be looking for places in their own homes to retreat and be comforted.

The designer, Laura Greenwood, says they’re exploring ways of creating cocooning qualities, as well as products where people can have social solitude. Whether it turns out to be an anti-Facebook year or not in 2016, we already know that there are times when you want to be social – and times when you crave solitude. That’s why we created a product to give you everything you want, whatever your mood. TVLiftCabinets.

Banyan Creek TV Lift Cabinet

Handcrafted by dedicated artisans, TVLiftCabinets are a stunning addition to your home, giving you the flexibility of disguising your entertainment system without compromising elegance. One of the most popular units

Everyone who works in the home furnishings business knows that many style trends show up at the High Point Market in North Carolina each year. One of the style trends for 2016 is adding a touch of drama to your home.

If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt an instant, “aha” moment, it could be because there’s one piece – one beautifully handcrafted furnishing – that just commands your attention. If you’re trying to change your furnishings or create a space that adds a little drama, consider adding a  TVLiftCabinet to give your room instant style and grace.

Somerset TV Lift Cabinet

The Somerset TVLiftCabinet, made of handcrafted solid maple, is as stylish as it is functional. It’s a real showstopper. Like all TVLiftCabinets, the Somerset comes fully assembled and ready to use. It fits televisions up to 60 inches and features ventilated shelves to keep televisions and electronics cool – and out-of-site.  Let’s face it; a dark piece of furniture draws attention. When paired with your

Remember when bedrooms were just for sleep? Today many people are living in close quarters. From studio and one-bedroom apartments and condominiums, people are constantly seeking ways to live well in small spaces. Each space needs to serve a purpose and many people are looking for ideas to make bedrooms sanctuaries that not only provide the basic furnishings for sleep, but also provide space to work and relax. Contemporary bedroom furniture and space-saving designs help maximize space in small rooms to make them feel more spacious.

Living well in close quarters requires, among other things, efficient furnishings. Here are a few tips to consider if you’re hoping to make your bedroom a multi-purpose space that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

1) Go vertical. If the ceilings are high enough, some people are adding lofts for beds so they can use the lower space for other living essentials. It’s an efficient way to maximize a small space, especially if you’re in a studio apartment.

Prism

Each month we share information about how you can add style and function to your home – wherever that might be. But we also love hearing from our customers about how they’re enjoying their new TVLiftCabinets. So we thought we’d share some of their comments with you today from customers all over the United States. Enjoy.

“Sometimes when you surf the Internet, you stumble upon great products. Your TV lifts are one of those things. I purchased your Metropolitan TV Lift for my family room and it looks amazing. Friends and family have been floored.” Mike T., Carmel Valley, CA

Remington Electric Fireplace

“I am sitting here grinning from ear to ear about the Remington Fireplace!!!! This is better than I ever expected.” Merideth C., Dallas, TX

“I just wanted to send you a note that I am very pleased with the Banyan Creek TV Lift. It is much better than it looked in your pictures & extremely well built. As you said, the TV was easy to mount. Thank you again!” Dr. Claudine T., Durham, NC

“I’ve

Last fall more than 200,000 flat screen television wall mounts were recalled by Costco because of a defect that could cause the TV to detach and fall, posing a risk of injury for consumers and pets. In 2010, 131,000 flat screen television wall mounts by Milestone AV Technologies were recalled because they could allow the televisions to fall off the wall.

Imagine how you would feel if that television you waited for so long tumbled to the ground, shattering into a thousand pieces. But what happens if that bracket fails and the TV falls on a child? That worst-case scenario came true for a family in 2009 when a TV wall mount broke and the falling television killed a two-year old.

If you choose to go with a wall mount bracket, it’s probably in your best interest to have a professional do the installation – either by the retailer or the manufacturer. You should also identify a location that isn’t above a child’s play area or pet bed when deciding where the television will be mounted.

Or you could

Adding your own special touches to your condo, apartment or house is what makes it your home. Custom paints, stone finishes, cabinets and more await you in every interior design shop and big box store, but it’s sometimes tough to find home furnishings that have exactly what you want to match your personal style.

If you’re considering adding a beautiful, Amish-crafted TVLiftCabinet to your home, it’s easy to exactly what you want for your home. These cabinets are great for maximizing space while showcasing your flat screen television. They’re designed to keep your components cool, hide unsightly wires and lift your television quietly and easily. Plus, a built-in infrared relay system means you can easily operate the electronics while the cabinet doors are shut.

You can customize the cabinet size and design to your exact specifications.

Here’s all you need to do. First check out the custom section of the TVLiftCabinet website. Then follow these steps:

• Call a TV Lift Cabinet Specialist at

I was watching an episode of House Hunters a couple of weeks ago that featured homeowners seeking houseboats. Fascinating. I knew there were pockets of marinas around the country where people enjoyed living the dream on waterways without the hassles of yard work or nosy neighbors, but I never realized it had become such a phenomena around the country. You’d expect to see houseboat marinas in Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington, but now more and more people all over the United States seeking that experience.

Whether you’re investing in a houseboat or customizing space in a yacht, one thing is certain: you need to maximize every inch of the living space. Multi-functional furnishings are the only way to go. It’s also important to create a space that reflects your personal style and taste.

While some people go with trendier looks, most prefer a more neutral color palette that can be easily updated with accent pieces, like pillow and throws. One thing that is constant is a desire to stay

According to a 2014 study by the National Association of Realtors, 14% of all buyers are purchasing multi-generational homes. A 2014 Pew study estimates that more than 50 million people live in multi-generational homes. While cost savings (18%) and health/caretaking of aging parents (15%) are some of the reasons for the growth, the primary reason is children over 18 moving back into the house (38%).

Another study looking at habits of Millennials (born between 1980 and 1984), found that 90% move out of their parents’ homes by age 27 – and 50% of those individuals move back to their parents’ homes.

And everyone has an opinion of how they’d like to create their own personal spaces. Although every family has unique circumstances, there are a few things you can do to help make life a little easier for everyone.

Have one large gathering space

Providing a space where the entire family can get together is a good idea. Whether it’s a central living room or dining space, it should be large enough