apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Depending on the layout of the rest of the space that might be a good place to mount a flatscreen and hide the electronics (DVD, receiver, etc) below in the alcove.

Or you could have shelves built for that space and display collectibles there...

If that's your dining area (based on the table), you could possibly buy a piece of furniture, like a breakfront, and fit it into the space - the alcove would allow you to buy something deep that doesn't jut too far into the room.

It's hard to give you suggestions without more pictures of the space. I suppose the most obvious suggestion would be to throw in some rustic wood objets with candles or tea lights on little etageries. But that would be so Pottery Barn circa 1998.

Assuming that there is nothing terribly unusual going on, I think it would be a nice place to paint a contrasting color and to hang shelves and/or cabinets within. Also, you could consider softening up the overwhelming amount of brick with a generous drapey floor-to-ceiling panel of fabric in either a contrasting warm color/pattern, or a fabric that matches the chairs in your dining area. Then you can use this little nook for storage.

do you WANT a fireplace? i mean, a faux fireplace? throw up some short doors, make the nook long term storage and put shelving in front or something. a big armoire? or yeah, flat screen and hide peripherals in the nook. it all depends on if you want a fireplace...

Fill it with logs (ends facing out)! Or paint the inside a dark charcoal and get those fourlogs.com.

If you want to use it as a faux fireplace, it would be neat to build a matching faux base out of white painted brick that houses/hides lighting to illuminate the interior. Then when you turned on the lights it would be warm and glowing, like a real fireplace, but without flames. If you do this I would also add a picture ledge or mantel above the fireplace surround.

One oft-used but easier choice is to fill the space with candles. I've seen them placed on a tray or pedestal, sometimes with a mirror behind.

Love to see the results!

You could do built in shelving (stack plates, books, french pots, whatever), or cabinets, you could paint the inside another color, have fun with it. I would place some art or a mirror above the mantle.

If you drink, you could do a wine rack with shelves/cabinets.

Cool dilemma. Whenever I have guests they hang out in my kitchen/dining area. Is this true for you?

Maybe you could bring in some Moroccan influence. It's too short for putting a bench for people to sit on, but what about making it the hub of occassional furniture that can be moved around. Furniture that would be beautiful and could function as art. Like some ottomans and some beautiful Hindu-inspired piled up. I would probably add a shelf above and place a lantern, and an Asian tea set. Oh well, I seem to be obsessing about Moroccan/Asian decor lately.

Good luck. Hope to see an after post.

Oops - meant to say "beautiful Hindu pillows" piled up.

I'm sure you get the idea. :-)

turn it into a bar/entertainment nook. either buy or create a piece to fit inside of the opening or beside it. house liquor, glasses, cocktail shakers, etc inside of said piece. if the space is cramped, use a piece that can slide in and out of the opening - that way it's a bar when you want it and decoration when you don't. perhaps it is wood to warm up the space, or something bright and colorful. when you're entertaining, it is a fun area for mixing, drinking, mingling that isn't your dining room or kitchen. some floating shelves above the opening could create opportunities to add more color and interest to the wall with photos, etc. it definately needs color!

What about a modern fireplace. Ie. Ecosmartfire. I'm saving up for one.

http://www.ecosmartfire.com/USA/portfolio.php?cboCat=1

Michelle,

As a designer and artist I am often comfronted with tricky spaces in clients homes. Not knowing the history of your home nor being able to see the rest of the space I can offer you this. You can take a traditional twist to the look of a fireplace ( and inspired by gretchens post) I would paint the wall an accent color that will highlight your space, add a clean line mantel ( roughly 5 inches thick and let it run the width of the wall). Use cut wood logs in varies sizes, from 5 to 12 inches ( whole cut logs) and stack them as tightly as you can get them, leaving little to no space in between. You can add an amazing piece of art work, or layer b/w photographs togther. The idea here is to create a powerful impact and to keep the eye moving around. If this was my space I would add a light box above the mantel to create a very soft glow then use tree branches (standing upright) along the mantle and install a light source behind the logs so that it can escape from behind. Makes for a great organic art display.

If you want a cleaner look...Make it look like a large floor mirror. Have a custom frame around 12 inches wide all around with a mirror in the center. You can put a console in front of it. Add a large print and a couple of smaller ones leaning against the glass, maybe a lamp to one side. A couple of ottomans underneath for additional seating or one amazing chair to the left side.

Hope this inspires ideas of your own. Keep us posted as to what you create!

I was initially thinking it would be a good space to install some bookshelves, but after reading the suggestion about using it for a wine rack, I think I like that idea even better.

What about painting the niche with a faux finish to mimic brick (or an actual brick face finish) then add wall-to-wall/ceiling-to-floor wine and stemware racks. Finish with iron "gate" doors and a couple of puck lights over top.

Large mirror or decorative screen - one of those scrolly things. Make it a real vignette. Mirror, decorative candle sticks with pillars and a textural pillow.

I would go with custom bookshelves so they fit flush. I wouldn't put anything in it that calls attention to it being an odd empty space (i.e. random candlesticks or potted plants). Then I'd put art or a flatscreen on the wall above.

Hm, it's hard to tell just from this photo alone.
But I would either pile some logs inside, lay a persian rug in front, and an armchair with an arco floor lamp (http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=0214) to create a reading nook.
Or just place an object there, a beautiful object that gives you joy to look at.
Or you could create little shelves and put all your sewing materials there, in nice colorful piles, or your knitting materials, or your shell collection hanging by invisible thread.

(I like that it's white by the way. I love the white brick.)

1 for wine rack! Oh that is such a perfect space for it too; right near the dining room, deep enough for bottles. everyone seems to obsess with mirrors - i wouldn't put any mirrors there but you could always put a mirror behind the wine rack and make it look twice as large.

and consider this; you can spend $700 on furniture decorations on the place, or $700 on wine ( wine rack, but that's inconsequential). ;)

The wine rack idea sounds great, but my first instinct was thick wood bookshelves -- but what are your needs? Do you need storage for any particular thing? Do you entertain a lot? Do you have children? I think those are the types of things that would influence a decision.

Here's a crazy thought if you need the storage AND you want it to look like a fireplace:

Have some custom-made drawers installed, but for the fronts of the drawers, have some of that photo-laminate stuff made with a big old photograph of a VERY nice fireplace. What I'm talking about is some very Formica-like surface, but it's made with an actual photograph. That would probably not be so cheap, but it could be fun. And then if would also be a dresser.

Otherwise, I think I'd want to paint the inside of that black, and put a TV in there. But please, please, if you do put a TV, etc., in there, hide the wires with conduit channel.

i actually have this fireplace in the kitchen... since its close to the window, i put some plants that dont need much light. they love it there. the plants are on different height wood blocks, and one is a vine so it goes around inside the space. its nice.

Put up a mantle. Put candles on the mantle in the summer and a boston fern in the fireplace. In the winter, decorate the mantel, put the candles in the fireplace and let 'em burn.

Maybe find some tile or stone something to lay down like a hearth.

It is what it is.

I agree that a faux fire would be cooler then shelves, which can look a little squished. How about recreating this? http://www.shelterrific.com/2007/05/30/ideal-to-steal-faux-fireplace-sketch/

If it were my house, I would put up a simple mantle/floating shelf, and paint that wall as an accent color, with a lighter or darker shade inside the alcove. Then (and this will depend if you have a dog) but for myself, I would get a dog bed that matches the room, and put it down there.

I love my dogs, and they are a part of the family, but I hate how their bed just out into the middle of the room, even when put in an out of the way corner. (For me) An alcove like this would be perfect so the dogs could have their own space in the family room, without taking up the middle of the floor.

OH WOW THAT IS AWESOME!! Here is the land of Oz (aka Australia) we dont really get fireplaces, even the faux kind.

I think, and I know it's probably just my opinion, but your floor would look amazing with turquoise paint on the inside of the fireplace possibly with a shimmer or metallic finish... or not. But above the fireplace dont add a mantel just have a painting/photo with the same or similar colours to the inside of the faux fireplace.

I would kill to have that in my house by the way... not literally but you get the idea :P

What in the hell is wrong with everyone here? Other than maybe two people who made viable comments this is ridiculous. What is with the flat panel please? Jeez. Not saying my idea prevails but?

The hardwood floors running in kill it.

This is a dining/kitchen area with low ceilings...shelving in the nook will only make the space look smaller, shorter I guess. Really nothing belongs in there.

First get some scrap lumber a piece as wide as the fireplace maybe a 4 x 4 sand a bit to shape it some. Put on just above the break in the fireplace. looks like there is plaster or something else that contrasts the brick, so it would center that well. Create some texture. Next go to the tile store in the East Village. They have great scraps. Perhaps, get some pavers (patio style) (home depot) close in size to the nook. Just lay them down maybe over some felt, etc. Paint them including the entire interior charcol as one suggested.

Get maybe 2 little buddas and put them on the new mantle/ledge whatever you call it. Nothing tall again bringing down the ceilings.

If the whole project costs $100 you spent to much including buddas.

michaelc believes he is two little buddas.

If you have a cat its a good place for a feeding area. If not a wine rack as its out of the light.

I quite like the look of a silver platter of candles in a fireplace nook, in which case a mantle would definitely be in order.

here's a very cool take on a similar space: http://brownerbrown.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/room.jpg

I Love the idea (assuming you don't need the storage) of filling about three quarters of the space with trimmed birch logs, cut end out. It will still read fireplace (well, wood storage) but will keep with a fairly modern vibe, guessing from your chairs.

To complete the effect (or, rather, to start it) line the base with slate tiles... they can be just floating in the space, they need not be installed.

If you do need the storage, put doors on it, shelves in it.

Or paint the inside (and sides) a dark charcoal gray, line the bottom with large polished black river rock, and put in LARGE candles.

Or a rectangular zinc planter designed to fill the space side to side and come up about halfway up the opening, filled with Mother-in-Law Tongue... green "flames" with a modern look. And before sliding the planter in, get some backlighting in it, with a dimmer switch.

We have something very similar and we had a cabinet maker build a unit that fits exactly to the opening with interior shelves and doors. We put a weathered 4x4 above it for a mantle and now its a huge pantry. We were hurting for storage so this worked perfectly for us.

If storage is not an issue and its still open to above for venting, consider a gas fireplace.

patrick too's ideas are awesome

why dont you contact Sackcloth and Ashes? http://www.sackclothandashes.ie/. They have the finest selection of fireplaces,gas fires, stoves etc. in marble,stone,granite, wood and cast iron

I vaguely remember a faux fireplace that Todd Oldham created for Amy Sedaris's apartment featured in Nest. It might have been a little over-the-top, but I remember it being quite striking.

Oh, ok, I just found some photos here, and yeah, probably not what you want, but I love it:

http://www.jerriblank.com/amy_nest.html#photo5