Amazing.  Innovative. Inspirational.

That’s Ann Sacks tile.  Never before I have seen such an effective translation of art into tile.  There are new collections appearing all the time.  They craft some very traditional styles and patterns, but I smile every time I see an ad for one of her fresh new collections.  Back in 1980, while some of us were sporting big hair, Ann was looking for the perfect wedding dress and saw a box of Mexican tile being sold as trivets.  It inspired her.  She first worked with hand-glazed Mexican tile, then she started a line to coordinate with Kohler fixtures.  Next came a stone collection.  Eventually the  company started embracing a more modern look and feel.  Ann sold the company to Kohler in the early 1990’s, but she continues to contribute to the line.

I have purchased quite a bit of of tile from Ann Sacks for my clients.  Their customer service is top notch and they offer tile at many price points to fit your imagination and your budget!

Visit Ann Sacks on My Design Secrets!

Panasonic 42″ Plasma HDTV from Circuit City

Superbowl Sunday is quickly approaching. If you did not purchase a flat screen TV for Christmas you might be tempted to get one before the big game. The recent International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas further proved that flat screens are all the rage. They are getting thinner and thinner and also are featuring more designer options such as color and attractive stands. Many designers who previously did everything in their power to hide TV’s are now admitting defeat and realizing that tech toys are a source of pride for most consumers and they want to display them front and center. While I admit I have hidden them in armoires and built-in cabinetry in the past I am finding it is easier to work them into the design these days. The fact that they are so thin and can be hung on the wall is a huge plus. Also, many companies have caught on to the trend and there are many attractive storage options for the components.

I know it’s tempting to purchase one at the spur of the moment when the price is right, but if you want your new tech toy to fit more seamlessly into your home keep a few things in mind.

1. Size: Bigger is not always better. You should purchase a TV that is going to work best in your home and that means taking the viewing distance into consideration. How far are you going to be sitting from the TV? CNET has some great advice to share on this topic.

2. Location: Where is your cable hookup and are you prepared to move it to where you think the TV looks best? Is the light from the windows going to shine on the TV? Do you want to be able to see the TV from the Kitchen?

3. Height: Whether you are hanging the TV on the wall or putting it in a cabinet or on a stand, the right viewing height is critical. You don’t want to be craning your neck to see the TV. The middle of the TV should be in line with your eyes. For a 6′ person that is about 52″ above the floor. Consider everyone in the family and average it out.

4. Components: That TV looks pretty slick all by itself, doesn’t it? Well don’t get used to it because you still need to hook up the cable box, TiVo, stereo, DVD player, speakers and computer. Where are they going to go?

Basically you can buy a stand, have someone build it in or have the components tucked away remotely in a closet. But remember, all these options are going to cost additional money. Stands are your least expensive option and there are some very nice ones out there.

TVX1 from Boltz for 34″ - 36″ TVs

If your taste is more on the modern side, I like the products from a company called Boltz that makes some very cool, minamalist stands. The also carry coffee tables and other furniture if you want to tie the whole look together.

Sligh TV Console 9711–1DM

If you are more traditional. Sligh has some really nice stands and they can be ordered from a retailer near you.

Happy Viewing!