tpup's Profile

No doubt the railing is important for safety but I would at least remove the small section at the end. It isn't necessary and adds to the cage feeling. I can't add any more than that. Everyone else has given good ideas. I think you need to spend time in it before making decisions.

I would consider card catalog boxes. They're all over etsy.com. Just pay attention to the sizes because they're not all the same. You can mix and match, paint them, etc.

There's a complete desk for sale here if you want to see what it looks like with the top. http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/for/3584364440.html

I like the camouflage idea with non-traditional colors.

There are really cool and reasonably priced lights at LampsPlus.com. You can even design your own shade. Check them out (And no, I don't work for them or own stock. I just like the lights.) http://www.lampsplus.com/products/manufacturer_giclee-glow/category_close-to-ceiling-lights/

I stay where you are and consider some type of on-desk screen to provide a little privacy. Something like what's at this link could at least remind people that that is private space. http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/113243311/Desktop_Partition_office_partition_office_desk.html

I once had a gray room with three dogs: black, brown and blonde! I put down a gray carpet that had a lot of variations in shade that kept it from looking like a concrete floor. I then got leather furniture in a dark reddish brown. Leather is great even if the dogs don't get on the furniture. I used pillows for accent colors and made sure there was plenty of light.
P.S. Now I have all blonde dogs which is easier to decorate around!

All this discussion of proper use of forks and knives reminds me of an old poem: "I eat my peas with honey; I've done it all my life. To you it may sound funny But they don't fall off my knife!"

You can find that very pull at knobs4less.com. It's recessed pull. I can't tell if it's the same size but here's the link. http://www.knobs4less.com/Hafele-Cabinet-Hardware-Recessed-Pull/haf16116600.html

I don't love the brick but I hate the dark grout lines. Rather than tiling over it I would consider extending the bricks to the ceiling and filling the grout lines with a color that looks cleaner. (I've had dark grout and it always looks dirty.) I'd also consider having a mantle installed with the brick so it's all integrated. Then maybe sheetrock under the bench.

I would build a platform exactly the size and use non-swivel wheels. On the platform build whatever you need: shelves, bins, stand-up storage, or get creative and build a kitchen. Slide it out when you need it and back in when you don't.