TV mounting system puts an end to decorators’ nightmares

During the past 60 years, the miraculous evolution of radio and television systems has had a major impact on the changing face of family and living rooms. Until recently, the large, bulky boxes and cabinets built to house the most up-to-date media equipment intruded on living space to the extent that they became a decorator's nightmare. And with every new component came more wires! You might have noticed that photographs of living rooms and dens in glossy magazines never show the television -- it has always been deemed too ugly, its awkward presence ruined an otherwise lovely room.

When faced with our new flat-screen TV and yet another converter with a million buttons and endless channels, I freely admit to complete frustration at the thought of navigating through the system. But I was impressed with the sleek, contemporary look and saw the space-saving advantages. My next discovery was even better. I found a modular panel installation system that is designed to take care of the mounting and hide the wires in a stylish fashion. The evo system has become my best friend. This is how it works.

The frame is hung on any type of wall via independently mounted rails that attach to wood or metal studs, concrete or brick. The frame extends 4 inches from the wall, creating the space for power and wiring so that there is no need to cut into the wall. The removable wood-veneer panels allow easy access to wiring once your components are in place. If you decide to move rooms or houses, the system is portable. The unique installation design can be easily removed with minor wall repairs.

The 16-inch-by-16-inch veneer panels come in maple, cherry, walnut, black ash and espresso so that you have plenty of flexibility. You can also order blank panels and paint them to blend with your existing wall color. Another option is to custom cover the panels in colored plastic or metal sheeting.

With various accessories including tempered-glass shelves and flat-panel mounts, you can personalize the paneled wall to hold favorite books, framed photos, sculpted vases and artwork, along with that classy new TV. Check out its Web site, www.theevosystem.com, to see the various configurations available and full product details. For distributors in the United States call 888-886-6868 and in Canada call 888-876-6786.

With clever wall-mounting systems like this, you're going to see a lot more TVs in the picture.

DEAR DEBBIE: Please help me with a bedroom color. I have a black-and-white checkered dust ruffle and bedspread in black-and-white toile. I was thinking of soft-gold paint for the walls, but I'm hoping you have some different ideas. Thanks. -- Marissa.

DEAR MARISSA: If you like the look of today's metallics, then you are right on trend. I would try a pearly silver, which would look great with the rather bold black-and-white bedding. You can find metallic paints in different shades at your paint store. Some come in colors, or you might find a metallic glaze that you apply over a paint base so that the color shimmers through.

The soft gold you suggest would also work, but I would add shimmer with a metallic glaze painted over the paint.

Debbie Travis is a columnist for King Features Syndicate. E-mail questions to her at house2home@debbietravis.com.