What to do with all those cords?

Before Tara left for Arizona she asked me, in passing, to figure some way to deal with our TV cords (now that it is on the fireplace mantle). I'm sure she was thinking just organize them, but I had a different plan. I decided that it could never look good as long as you could see the cords- so I decided to hide them. Now keep in mind that we are renting, so nothing can be permanent.

So what sounds better: Some zippied cords that are obviously trying to be hidden by some heinous mantle chach-keys that in the end still dangle helplessly (and distractingly) to the side of the fire place - or - would you rather have a pristinely hung television that floated in an abyss of cleanliness that was then framed by the subtle undertones of white pressed tin that added girth and grandeur to the entire wall. Yeah, I know, it wasn't even a choice.

The first thing on my agenda was to get our old TV wall mount back up. We had it in our previous house, but had no need for it here until now. Second was to fix a light inside of the mantle that shines up, now that nothing is going to be sitting on it.

Next in line is the foam. I needed to cut foam for the cords to go under and also my lovely pattern on go over. Next I cut the hidden cord chases into the back of the foam.

Now comes the wall paper- yes I said wall paper. And while on the topic, do you know how hard it is to find wall paper in Logan? Nearly impossible. But, I did find was an embossed ceiling tin style wall paper. Without going into details, and in an effort to keep your respect I will let you know that there were some other options besides wall paper, but this one was the best.

Test fit, and its coming together quite weel I do say.

Unfortunately the wall paper was a little see through so now I need to paint it. Good thing it’s designed to be painted.

I will tack the rest of this project to the end of this post some come back looking for more.