Once upon a time – namely, in the 1950s in the United States and not much longer after that around the world – televisions were big and clunky, yet also status symbols that warranted a prominent spot in living rooms. Then came the 1980s, aka the Era of the Armoire. Electronics were to be hidden, preferably in pieces of huge, clunky furniture we’d all wonder what to do with in five years.
Fast forward, and flat-panel TVs seem to be everywhere – in kitchen backsplashes, behind bathroom medicine-cabinet mirrors, and outdoors. “TVs are as important to my clients as dining tables or king-sized beds,” says Chicago interior designer Jessica Lagrange.