The Samsung Serif TV is the result of a collaboration between the talented designer brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and the household electronics brand Samsung. Because the frame of the TV looks like the letter “I” with serifs in profile, hence the name Serif.
Samsung approached the Bouroullecs 3 years ago with the request to design a new TV concept. Although hesitant at first (Ronan and Erwan refuse 90-95% of requests made, mostly due to a shortage of time) the Bouroullec’s decided that working on a project that would end up in many homes was too tempting.
THE DESIGN BY THE BOUROULLEC BROTHERS
Since the Samsung people felt that the flatscreen TV has come to the end of its evolution, Samsung was after a design that was totally different than the current trend of TV’s getting thinner and thinner. Therefore, the Bouroullecs decided to create a TV that doubles as a piece of furniture. Something beautiful to look at, not to be hidden like the old eyesore it always was. They tapped into the nostalgic memory of thick old TV’s with lots of trinkets on top of them. Therefore, the Samsung Serif TV has a flat top and bottom, acting as a small shelf. Furthermore, they wanted the Serif’s back to be beautiful too. So they invented a way of covering the ugly back (with all the sockets) with timeless fabric fastened with magnets.
About the technical side: of course it has all the latest technology including a LED 4K screen, 3 HDMI ports, Wi-Fi and apps. But the best thing for me is the option of the Curtain Mode: it applies a filter over whatever is currently broadcast and visible on the screen, giving an abstract impression of what is going on behind. When active, you can access simple services such as a clock, Bluetooth speakers, apps and your photo gallery.
The Samsung Serif TV is not available at your average electronics store. In the US it is exclusively available in the Samsung stores from around $1500, the blue model is only available through the MoMa. I am afraid my old TV is still working, hope it breaks down soon….
THE SAMSUNG SERIF TV IN ACTION
The Bouroullec brothers with their latest design, the Serif TV for Samsung and the fabric to be used for the Serif’s back
A Scandi-styled dabyed, a Serge Mouille floorlamp and the Serif – via The Design Chaser
All white interior with a touch of worn leather, I spy a Serge Mouille floorlamp and I love the way the television is set up – no cables – via Trendenser
A Serif in the home of Architects Jeunghye Park and Kyuho Choi
This barely there black Serif blends perfectly with the gallery wall – via Asplund Stockholm
The Serif blending in into a gallery wall at the Sartorialist’s home – via The Sartorialist
via Trendenser
via DesignFizz
Detail of the fabric covered back, no ugly sockets visible – via CerealMag
Little trinkets on top of the Serif
Trinket minimal style on top of the Serif
Minimal Scandinavian with minimal Serif TV, great together – via SebastiansView
If you enjoy reading my blog, please consider giving my Facebook page a “like“
 |
Dear Machteld,
Where do I get these handholds as I do like them, they are so solid and clear together with wood…!…and fit to the stairs, thank you in advance for your help…!
Samsung Serif TV
A Serif in the home of Architects Jeunghye Park and Kyuho Choi
Kind regards
Wolf
Hi Wolf, I don’t know a retailer for those handles off hand, but I’m sure that you could get them at your local hardware store. They look like items a plummer would use. Hope this helps, bye, Mac