Q: My wife and I bought our first house and can't figure out how to layout our living room because immediately upon entering the room- there's a fireplace! In the corner. We painted it white and it helps a lot, but it really throws off the focus of the room. I was thinking of moving to sofa and chairs/bench to sit around the fireplace(and put a dining table where the sofa is now) but can't figure out how without blocking the entrance to the other room. I feel like half the room is cluttered with furniture and the other half is empty with a fireplace randomly there. Any help with how to arrange the room would be amazing.

Sent by Kelly More

Q: I'm trying to accessorize the built-ins/mantle space in my den. It's the first room you walk into when you enter the house. I don't know if I should keep the top of the bookshelves empty? Everything I do seems so busy. Help please! Also, the Roman shades will be pulled up and fastened but are not in this photo. Thanks!

Sent by Kelly More

(Late last year, I kicked off a series of posts in which I’ll document the transformation of an old barn into my future workshop.)

2010 is here and I’m rearing to renovate! Construction on the red barn begins soon, and my first resolution is to heat the frigid space. Though my new Snuggie keeps me pretty toasty, what I really wanted for Xmas was a wood-burning stove. Then I could warm my workshop and burn the many wood scraps I’ll generate, killing two birds with one stove. More

Q: I'm moving into a house with a wood burning fireplace and find myself in need a fireplace tool set. I'm having a hard time find one that is modern or Scandinavian modern for under like $1,000. Under a $150 would be more inline with my budget. Does anyone know where of any great looking sets out there? Thanks.

Sent by Becky More

Q: Two days after closing on our first home, a 1936 Colonial Revival house, we exuberantly painted the interiors with the help of twelve gracious relatives. After three months in the house, we are lucky to find that some of our rash decisions are fine (we like the golden yellow of the dining room), but the crayon-orange of the living room has proven to be misguided. It darkens the room and has a certain inelegant 1970s vibe to it …

Sent by Catarina More

Winter is looming and already the Duraflame logs are out for sale. A sad reminder that you live in an apartment with a stifling, rattling radiator instead of a a warm, crackling fireplace. Fortunately Vauni makes innovative fireplaces for the home that are as functional as they are stylish. More

Hi! My husband and I just made a faux fireplace on our new loft. The top piece is sustainable salvaged maple from our local re-use shop. We cut it in half (going to make a coffee table out of the other piece) and stained it with a clear coat for protection.

Sent by Laura

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I had to share this amazing fireplace facade — it's part of a home renovation in Sag Harbor, New York by Jendretzki Design and Planning Consultant. The update to the existing home included the addition of some green technology and an overall plan that better unites the interior with the exterior spaces and amazing wooded views. More

Q: Hi, I just moved into a new condo in an older building from the late 1800s. I don't like my fireplace and would like to change it with either paint or new tiles. I have seen pictures of other houses/condos with similar fireplaces, so I think it may be a common style. I would love to get some suggestions on what others have done to update their similar fireplaces. Thanks! More

Fireplaces grace many a pre-war apartment, working or non-working, decorative or functional. In small spaces, the fireplace can be somewhat limiting when it comes to laying out furniture. That's why we liked this pic from interior designer Jeffrey Brooks... More