Living in a pre-war bungalow in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago presents a unique set of design challenges. The architecture is charming, with high ceilings and wide window frames, but the interior layout often lacks flexibility for modern technology. For the Rossi family, a household of four including two teenagers, the living room had become a bottleneck. They owned a 75-inch OLED television that required a substantial base, yet the existing wooden media unit was too narrow and prone to warping in the humid summers. They needed a solution that offered a clean aesthetic, massive stability, and sufficient width to house their growing collection of home theater equipment, all without sacrificing the open feel of their historic home.
United States housing varies wildly from the dry interiors of the Southwest to the humidity-heavy basements of the Northeast and Midwest. In Chicago, the climate is distinctly continental, swinging from freezing winters to muggy summers. Traditional solid wood furniture, especially large consoles, is susceptible to these shifts. Wood expands when it absorbs moisture and contracts when it dries out. For a family who had already replaced a previous TV stand that had cracked at the seams due to humidity, this was a non-starter. They required a material that would not react to the air, something that could handle the specific temperature and moisture swings of a Midwestern home. The answer they found was a high-end sintered stone product, specifically a unit that bridged the gap between industrial durability and Italian minimalist design.
When purchasing a low-profile console, the rule of thumb is that the unit should be at least 10% wider than the television to provide a visual balance. The Rossis' TV measured 168cm wide. A standard 180cm unit would have been acceptable but felt cramped for their soundbar and streaming devices. They opted for the maximum extendable length available, which was 240cm. This extra 60cm of space was crucial. It allowed them to place a large smart home hub on one end and a collection of board games and manuals on the other, keeping the living room functional for a family with four distinct personalities. The low-profile design, sitting only 45cm off the floor, created the illusion of the TV floating, which is essential in rooms with high ceilings where visual weight can make the space feel enclosed.
The top surface of the console is made of Calacatta-style sintered stone. Unlike natural marble, which is porous and can stain from coffee or wine, sintered stone is essentially non-porous. It is manufactured at extremely high temperatures, creating a surface that is heat and scratch resistant. For the Rossi household, this meant they could place a hot soldering iron from their DIY projects directly on the counter without worrying about thermal shock damage, a common issue with glass or laminate tops. The grey and black veining on the ivory-white base matched the granite countertops in their kitchen, creating a cohesive material story throughout the main floor. They also noted that the weight of the unit, coming in at approximately 140kg, provided a level of stability that lighter materials simply could not match. It did not shift when their youngest child swung off the side of it.
The "floating" look is achieved through a slim black metal base. While it looks like the cabinet is suspended in mid-air, it is anchored to four sturdy metal feet that rest on the floor. This design choice eliminates the gap under the cabinet where dust and dirt typically accumulate. In a home with pets, this is a significant maintenance win. The Rossis had two cats who shed heavily, and the previous open-shelving unit was a trap for hair and dust. The enclosed, handleless storage of the new console meant that everything could be tucked away behind press-to-open doors, keeping the surfaces pristine. The metal base was powder-coated to resist rust, a practical consideration given that their garage-adjacent living room experienced higher humidity levels in the summer months.
Installing large, heavy items in older homes requires care. The Rossis' bungalow had hardwood floors that were uneven in places, a common trait in pre-1950 construction. The adjustable metal feet of the console allowed them to level the unit perfectly without cutting the hardwood. The installation process took approximately four hours. They hired a local moving team in Chicago to lift the 240cm unit up the main staircase. The unit arrived in two major crates, each weighing over 60kg, requiring two strong individuals per box. Once on the wall, they marked the anchor points using the template provided. Because the unit is modular and extendable, they had to ensure the joinery was tight. The mechanism uses hidden steel brackets that lock into place. After securing it to the drywall with heavy-duty anchors, the cabinet was rigid and did not wobble, even when they tested it by leaning their full body weight against it.
At US$3,270.00, the price of the console is premium. However, when broken down over a useful lifespan of 10 to 15 years, the daily cost is under 70 cents. Compare this to the average American household spending upwards of US$500 on a replacement console every few years due to damage or style fatigue. The Rossis calculated that their previous furniture turnover cost them nearly US$1,200 over the last decade. The sintered stone top and metal frame are built to outlast their tenure in the house. They also considered the energy savings. The hidden storage allowed them to keep the thermostat at a consistent level without the need for extra climate control in that specific corner of the room, as the solid stone top does not radiate heat or cold like lighter materials might.
The clean lines of the Italian minimalist design played well with the natural light coming through their large double-hung windows. During the day, the Calacatta top reflects the sunlight, brightening the space. At night, they installed an LED strip light underneath the floating cabinet to create a subtle glow. The stone surface provided a perfect backdrop for the light, diffusing it evenly without the hot spots that occur with glossy lacquered finishes. This lighting accentuated the architectural details of the bungalow, drawing the eye upward to the crown molding. The result was a space that felt both modern and respectful of the home's history.
Living with a 240cm unit changes how you interact with the room. It forces you to organize. The Rossis used the interior space to store their projector, extra soundbar components, and a small bar setup. The handleless doors opened with a simple push, which they found instinctive after a few days of use. The stone top was easy to clean with a damp microfiber cloth, no special chemicals required. They spilled red wine on it during their first movie night, but a quick wipe removed the stain entirely, a feat that would have been impossible on the old wood grain. The unit stood firm through a winter storm that caused power outages for three days. The reliability of the materials meant their home theater system remained undisturbed and ready to use the moment the power returned. The integration of high-end industrial materials with the warmth of a family home created a balance that improved their daily comfort significantly.