daniele's Profile

We have a similar non working fireplace in our front room we use as the office / art room. I have an oversized vintage flat round ceramic dish filled with colored pencils, a ceramic owl candle lantern thing, and an oversized mercury glass ornament in there and they look great together. You could pretty much stick anything visually interesting inside!
Plants would also work - too seventies for some folks i know.

domino search.
http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/2008/08/cheap_tricks_18

(yuck)
http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/objects/accessories/accents/blue0

http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/objects/accessories/accents/mantels14

more (wow some are funky)
http://katie-d-i-d.blogspot.com/2008/06/fireplace-scapes.html

Yay! We have the same dilemma. Can't wait to hear comments.

Some ideas I've had but haven't implemented:

-paint the door at the end - and perhaps even the inside of the front door - a crazy bright color..

-hang thin framed tackboard or magnetic board (or maybe multiple) with fun postcards and memorabilia.

-collection of mirrors

- i love those Brocade Home cut out felt area rugs, they sell long runners too.

Paxton Gate has garden design services.
http://www.paxtongate.com/landscape/toc.cfm

It's great to see spaces like yours. I go to the paint store - become paralzyed - walk away with timid, tinted whites. Boring!

Thanks for sharing photos of your home.

Your home is beautiful and inspirational..but a question mark pops into my head when I see neutral tones included in a color contest. Neutrals are colors too! (i hear you).

It's cute! I'd clean it and make it work. Could punch it up with pillows, artwork and or a colored wall behind it.

Hi. What a great contest. We just bought a TIC in San Francisco with another couple. Bottom unit of 2. Built in 1912, refurbished in the 40s and the 70s. The flat has pizazz. We instantly loved its mix of styles and saw lots of potential. First thing, we ripped out the stained flesh pink carpet and resurfaced gold toned hardwood. Next we removed lathe n plaster from the water closet. Right now we are using our bedroom as a holding area for tools and construction debris. Our bed is in the soon-to-be living room. We are process of painting this room a pretty green-blue white. It's looking really good. We decided to make the back room into the living room because it's closest to the kitchen (walk two steps versus 20 to serve drinks to guests) and it has beautiful box beam ceiling. Right now we have a tiny tv hooked up on the floor in the front room (which will be office/art space).
If we win this TV we will not only use it for social TV watching, will be able to buy a NEW TOILET and what improves a home more than a a fresh new loo ?!

Ace Hotel in Seattle is great and they just opened one in Portland.

Doug Fir is a fun lounge/ hotel / restaurant, Portland

Both cant totally work. I say discard all rules for pieces you love. I'm picturing a neutral room with bright accents.. or a crazy colorful room with these two chairs as color voids.