Rant: PSA to builders, housewives, and general complaint


In our search for a new house, I’m seeing some disturbing and annoying trends, mainly, living rooms where the ONLY place to put a TV is way high above a fireplace. This leaves zero flexibility for tv placement, additional audio components etc. Most don’t even have plugs. I'm also in Texas and there's ZERO need for a fireplace.

Not to mention all the "open concepts" we’re seeing where the living room is strangely shaped and the kitchen is basically in the room where you hear all the kitchen noise and you’re 100% accessible to your spouse and their conversation (ramblings).

This isn’t a problem if you have $2m to spend but for most of us, we’re limited in where we can set up our toys and this does not help.

Thank you for listening.

dtximages

Open concept seems to be the fashion though I’ve seen a couple articles that the tide is turning and rooms with a specific purpose are making their way back. I’m lucky that my wife let me set up in the living room.

Unfortunately kitchen cacaphony is easily heard so serious listening is done when she’s gone or in her craftroom. I believe we’re going to have to build to get what we want once she retires. 

But best of luck!

Happy listening. 

@uncledemp Nice ref.

Life ain’t fair and the world is mean

Sturgill Simpson, Cuttin' Grass Vol.1

I have no idea why someone would jack a TV up to the ceiling.  Stairing up above the fireplace mante would become very uncomfortable after a while.  What about a hard day after work and you  want to strtch out on the couch and watch TV?

Maybe people think they are simulating some type of cinema experience - NOT!

@stuartk - unless I was hiring the contractor to be my decorator, why would I care the slightest about what the contractor thought about feng shui or anything else regarding home decoration? If he laughed at me, he'd be a contractor looking for another gig and I'll find a good one who respected clients. 

Fortunately I've never lived in any house or apartment that had a fireplace...save one....and above a FP is the last place I'd want to put one....😣

Having a flat screen over a heat source seems idiotic....not to mention the nearly inevitable soot if you use the FP frequently enough....

As a 'fan-person' of architecture for the bulk of my existence, there's rare examples of current home design and detailing that even begins to give a nod to acoustics.

'Open plan' designs do pose a challenge that, for the most part, engender surrender...😒   The 'best' (🤷‍♂️) I can think of would be an 'alcove' with the 'back wall' non-existent....opening into the open plan general living space....

...that entry/living room/dining/kitchen 'barn'....*L*
Or just giving up....go to a distribution system with drivers every 12', and sensors that 'follow' you around....

The 'immersive option'.... ;) 😏😆