Mariel over at our favourite decor-related LiveJournal community recently posted what she calls her "itty bitty/nifty thrifty apartment comittee", a textbook example of an art school student's apartment with a mishmash of small space and affordable furnishings. But what especially stood out was her bright idea of framing her older building's intercom panel. Very cute!
We think the idea would even be more improved if the picture frame was painted a contrasting colour to bring a little more attention to the whimsical solution. The rest of Mariel's apartment can be seen here at SaucyDwellings LiveJournal Community.
[Photo: Mariel Sshlinn Kelly]
Jonya & Brad's Modern A–Frame 
Quick Cleaning Tip: Keep Baseboards Cleaner With Fabric Softner
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Profile Chair by Ma...
15 Essential Building Blocks for Quick Weeknight Meals
Summer Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
Comments (12)
Painting it a contrasting color was exactly what I thought when I saw it.
great idea!
I did the exact same thing with the ugly intercom in my condo. I made sure the frame had some personality and it looks great!
This reminds me of Friends.
That said I have still been thinking about doing it.
i placed a painted canvas on top of my electric panel. i think using a painted canvas with hinges should work in this instance. the frame just draws more attention to it.
I'm w/ Shoepins - I'd have chosen a painted canvas hung over the intercom using a simple piano hinge to cover the darned thing and still give the place a sense of functional whimsy.
I completely agree kiljoywashere (lol) and I like this idea of making something bland to beautiful with a cheap frame and some paint
Yeah for the Bytowne Theatre!! Glad OC-Transpo's finally back!
I say the intercom is still ugly. Should it have been painted some dark color (dark chocolate or black), it would have been nicer, even without the frame!
I meant: had it been painted dark brown, it would have been nicer even without the frame!
Ah yes, bring more attention to an ugly fixture with an even uglier frame. I suggest to hinge a cover over it or just leave it alone. It serves a function and we all know that these necessities come with the territory.
I have an intercome JUST like that and I've always hated it. I'm framing it!
Me too! And I also have a frame around my peephole... a la Friends. What can I say?