Japanese Tonsu Style Elm Entertainment Center

Adapting the Sukia Style classic Japanese tansu esthetic to house a modern electronic home entertainment center was an exercise in cross-cultural subliminal communication. The piece is built as a free-standing unit divided into three sections that are attached and slid into an existing tight space. The materials and detailing reflect their rich heritage using Elm lumber and veneers dyed then stained to a luscious deep dark walnut and finished with multiple coats of hand-rubbed lacquer to give it the texture of a well-preserved prized antique. Imported, hand-wrought iron pulls were used for those panels that appeared to have drawers. All the electronics can be operated remotely through the black silk disk in the center of the panel below the TV. Much of the texture is hand carved. First Prize for ASID's Northwest Design Awards in 2004 for Reaidential Smart Solutions.