thanks! This is all really helpful. Sounds like everyone is on board with the distraction strategy. Any suggestions about where to buy a good screen? My contractor found some special heat resistant...

thanks, yeah, the only catch is once i paint the mantle there's no turning back. and i'm indecisive. the floors are covered but they just redid them & they're also oak, like the mantle. so some hav...

thanks, that's a great idea! any ideas for the mantle or the brick area? the brick is actually a veneer and not nearly as nice as the real brick on the walls. i could also paint the oven insert whi...

THANK-YOU!!! Wow, you guys are good. These are all great ideas & so helpful. (Just discovered this site and am so relieved that I'll now be able to stop bugging all of my friends, family & anyone ...