Hide Your TV in Plain Sight With This DIY Plaster-Coated Bookcase | domino

The article details a DIY project by Danielle and Ely Franko, creators of the Hunter Houses, on how to discreetly integrate a television into a living space using plaster-coated built-in niches. This approach offers a novel solution to camouflaging a TV, distinguishing itself from other methods that involve external coverings or lifts. The couple developed this technique while renovating one of their vacation rentals in the Catskills, aiming to achieve visual balance and incorporate diverse textures and tones into their design. The process begins with meticulous planning, specifically measuring the television and other items intended for the shelves to ensure a seamless, built-in appearance. The Frankos prioritized selecting the TV, opting for Samsung's Frame TV, before constructing the wall unit. They also designed specific alcoves for a speaker, planters, and vases, arranging temporary wooden shelves to achieve an organic yet symmetrical layout. This initial step is crucial for the integrated look, allowing the niches to complement the items they house rather than merely containing them. Following the measurement phase, the structural framework of the bookcase is constructed using plywood backing and 2-by-6 studs. To provide a suitable surface for the plaster, the wood is then covered with drywall. This step is highlighted as labor-intensive, particularly when cutting drywall for the numerous niches, but it is deemed essential to prevent plaster from cracking or peeling. Mesh tape is applied to all corners, followed by two coats of all-purpose joint compound, smoothed with a putty knife, to prepare the surfaces for plaster application. The next stage involves preparing a solid base for the plaster. Danielle mixed one pound of American Clay's sand additive with one gallon of Kilz primer, creating a slightly gritty texture. This mixture was thoroughly stirred and then applied to the built-ins using a 6-inch short roller, ensuring an even and adherent base for the subsequent plaster layers. Plastering commences once the primer is fully dry. Danielle prepared the base coat by gradually adding water to American Clay's Loma finish in Snow Canyon until it reached a soft-serve ice cream consistency, mixed using a heavy-duty drill attachment. After an hour of resting, she applied the plaster to the bookcase using a hawk and metal trowel, aiming for a credit card-thickness layer. The goal was a natural, suede-like finish, embracing slight imperfections. The complexity of plastering numerous nooks and crannies in a built-in bookcase, as opposed to a flat wall, was noted as the most challenging aspect. A finishing coat, slightly lighter in color—Lomalina in Snow Canyon combined with Sugarloaf White pigment—is then applied. Danielle misted the work area with water to extend drying time, allowing for better manipulation of the material. This second coat focused on achieving an even texture and correcting any inconsistencies from the base layer. Once dry, the plaster was lightly sponged with a damp tile sponge in circular motions to achieve a matte, covetable appearance. To ensure design continuity, Danielle extended this plastering technique to other areas of the home, such as a small niche in the adjacent open-layout kitchen. This repetition of elements helps create visual cohesiveness throughout the living spaces, effectively tying different rooms together with a consistent design language. The overall project transforms a functional item like a TV into an integrated design feature, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the interior. #DIYHomeDecor #PlasterFinishing #BuiltInFurniture #TVCamouflage #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #HunterHouses #DesignContinuity #DIYHomeDecor #PlasterFinishing #BuiltInFurniture #TVCamouflage #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #HunterHouses #DesignContinuity

49 months ago

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