Cocooning is passé. Hiving is all the rage.

While it may sound like these trends are referring to the habits of insects, it’s really all about how Americans are interacting with their homes. First, it was about comfort and connectedness to family. Now, it is about opening our doors to neighbors and friends, and expressing creativity and camaraderie through home entertainment.

Like bees, our homes are now hubs of activity—whether gathering for an impromptu celebration with neighbors, coming together for family game night, or hosting a formal New Year’s Eve dinner party. And this trend is no more evident than during the holidays when we reconnect and renew relationships with one another.

The Home as Command Central

The rise in popularity of multi-use rooms and open-area spaces within homes reflects our desire to be together while pursuing our own interests. Today’s families want to be able to prepare dinner while skimming the news online or completing a scrapbooking or knitting project.

With the pressures of the 24/7 world upon us, living rooms are being transformed into more intimate spaces without the intrusion of televisions or computers. In these family spaces, where conversation and reflection are cultivated, new pieces in the Maitland-Smith collection, such as our versatile demilune console table, are perfect for serving appetizers, displaying fine accessories, or hosting a board game. Handcrafted in wrought iron and Pompeii patinated solid brass with an inlaid marble top, it’s the perfect height for holiday entertaining.

The Rise of Home Entertainment

According to the National Association of Home Builders, nearly 25% of U.S. households have a designated home theater or game room. More than ever, Americans are purchasing large flat screen HDTV televisions for viewing sports and favorite shows, playing video games and watching family movies.

With so many HDTV options this holiday season, it’s a great time to consider creating an entertaining space that combines the sophistication of technology with the comfort and elegance of furniture specifically designed with such spaces in mind.

As you consider which HDTV to choose for your home entertainment room, experts suggest opting for the biggest screen your space and budget will allow. The options are endless, so consider the size and configuration of the room, lighting and your preferred entertaining style.

• Plasma televisions feature great color, deep blacks and minimal blurring of fast motion, an excellent choice for those who like to watch professional sports and action movies.
• An LCD (liquid crystal display) television is a good choice for a brightly lit room because reflections are minimal.
• Finally, rear-projection sets are the least expensive way to obtain a big screen experience, especially with today’s microdisplays, which are considerably slimmer than the bulky projection televisions of a few years ago.

Regardless of which HDTV you choose, Maitland-Smith’s flat screen television cabinet artfully camouflages your new television when not in use behind a striking and innovative collage of multi-sized and finished mirrors.

No matter what you choose as the entertainment centerpiece for your media room, remember to include comfortable, versatile seating, such as our Aged Regency finished motion home theatre chair in refined Baroque leather upholstery.

And, for those who refer a glass of sherry and a game of chess, contemplate your next move seated at our dark burnished laurel burl finished game table with matching leather and brass accented chairs.

As you design your perfect entertaining and relaxation space, be sure to reflect your own personal style and interests, creating a vibrant and inviting gathering place where guests will feel at home.