Wiring

Today we met with the low-voltage wiring company that will be installing audio/visual/security types of things in our new home. That was fun, although half the time I had no idea what was going on. LOL (What does that jack do? Huh? What do we need for satellite TV? So... what do YOU recommend?) Anyway, got the wiring options worked out. We've opted to put a box for a TV over the fireplace. It's a stone fireplace. What do you all think? I love the idea of making the fireplace/TV ONE single focal point and not needing a second focal point/cabinets/etc. Not sure I'm crazy about replacing lots of beautiful stone with a big ol' box and ruining the look of the stone with a TV. The wiring guy had the exact same thing, and he loved it. But, like he also pointed out... he's a guy! Mike wants the TV there. It's a done deal now... just curious to see what you all think. We can always cover the box with a painting or mirror until we get a TV, of course. Hopefully the TV thing works out and doesn't destroy the look of the stone.

I have one other question to pose to people. Since that TV is over the fireplace, we're having a multi-media port that is rigged to that jack behind walls installed for the DVD player, satellite box, etc. We just located it in the corner of the room... however, now we're waffling over the idea of putting it in a closet so that we can hide it all and take up less space by not needing a cabinet for all of that. Another plus... eight little hands couldn't reach all those neat boxes and DVDs! Has anyone else ever done that? Is it weird to hide it all in a closet?

We've always purchased a resale house before (or a spec home that had nearly no choices left for us to pick). And just as my co-teacher and I like to say to our students, "You get what you get and you don't have a fit" when you buy resale. I've never had to decide where to put an outlet or TV jacks or telephone jacks or whatever. At least maybe I'll have a better understanding of how houses are really put together and what's behind all that drywall now!

If anyone has built before, any advice for the real electrical stuff is welcome! Same with choosing kitchen stuff. We have an idea of what to do... but any advice is welcome!!! I don't want to find out later that we screwed up because we weren't thinking of "that". All the design center options get decided in two weeks.... then I believe our decision-making is pretty much done till it's time to move in ...and paint. LOL