apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hi, congratulations on a great place. The only thing I'd change is that I'd find a way to disguise the TV or put it up in a more orderly fashion. You don't necessarily need an armoire--I've seen people do this with shelving made of hollow-core doors or even plain shelving.

I love the red and I think you've done a very nice job in balancing color in your LR, which is very difficult to do.

PS--I'd paint your bookcase in the same red as the wall to make it disappear.

OK--I looked again and saw that you have a nice piece of furniture to support your TV. So I don't know what to suggest anymore. Perhaps if someone else is also of the opinion that you ought to disguise your TV or at least minimize its presence in the room, they can suggest something.

Otherwise, I liked your place a lot and especially admired your use of color.

Thanks for putting your apartment out there for tips. I'd agree that having some sort of camoflage for the TV would be a plus. Also, I'd concentrate on selective editing of the items on the mantle, in the bookcase, and although I can't really tell from the photos, it looks like the kitchen shelves are pretty full. The candles look too high and out of the way. Love the red, the colorful wall art, and like the chairs you've grouped although they should be a little further apart.

And great name, by the way. I guess that makes me (for the time being at least)...

Doug--
To pick up from the other thread... (that is a sweet TV, flat or not, btw!)
I think if you went back to white walls on the right side of the fireplace where the bookcase is, the bookcase would look more like a built-in.

If it were me in that space, I'd put some sort of small round table with chairs in the bay window. I think, given your eclecticism, the chairs could be something color-punched and funky... Air Chairs, maybe? Something almost indoor/outdoor and really linear.

The turquoise chair, with sofa and sofa-wall art, are all outrageously cool together. The only chair "disconnect" to me right now is the white round-ish one. Maybe if you went with a table in the bay, you could get rid of the small table under the pass-through and the white chair could head in that direction of the space. I love that turquoise chair so much, that when recovering it (hopefully identical in color!!) consider asking the reupholsterer to make a second/duplicate.

I agree with others that the mantel wall, given its gutsy color, needs gutsier art/accessorizing.

I also want to see the TV centered in its little space, so maybe some of the components could shift to the bookcase on the right, and the TV could remain on something low and simple, perhaps white to mimic the built-in look of bookcases on the right?

Finally, as a possible solution to wanting some sort of rolling way to mask the TV, Smith & Noble has ceiling mounted tracks for flat panels of stiffened fabrics that could work.

I just went back and looked at the TV nook again. How about filling the space above the TV with several white IKEA Lack shelves and starting a collection?

After seeing Marlon's nuns and Michelin men, I've been pondering collecting pop objects d'art myself. There are a lot of very inexpensive 8-9" Bob's Big Boy banks for sale on e-bay, and I think their white and red checkered suits might look fun in your place. This could be an inexpensive, fun, and easy fix.

We should do this more often -- I know a bunch of us could use some help on those last few things...

Well, some others beat me to the punch with their suggesions. But here goes my input. I agree with Terry that the white bookshelves should be painted the same color as the walls. I see that you have a small table and two chairs beneath the passthrough. I would move them to the window alcove and use that for dining, freeing the space beneath the passthrough to gain access to your bookshelves. I'll second Patrick's suggestion of a small round table, because it would give you the opportunity to have a more inviting area for dining, noodling on your computer, reading, playing your guitar, etc. When dealing with mantles I prefer that they not be catchalls. I might move the mirror to the ledge, and place the clock and the tall candle with it in a group, since they seeme to be similar in color to the mirror. That would free that wall for something larger and perhaps more dramatic. A fabulous black and white photo with an interesting and/or dramatic frame might do it. Or something with touches of that amazing turquoise might work. You might move the sofa closer to the fireplace, then use the chairs to make either an 'L" or a "U" so that the sofa doesn't seem disengaged from the rest of the room. That would free up space on the entry wall for a bench or additional storage. I definitely would lower the art on that wall whether or not you decide to move the sofa.
I think the difficulty is that you have three large black holes in the room. the fireplace, the television, and the kitchen passthrough. So you have to work to make their presence less stark and more inviting without making your eyes constantly move up and down looking for balance.
I think you have done a wonderful job. The red is beautiful and your pieces work. It may just need a little tweaking but it can only get better. You've done a terrific job.

by "ledge" I mean mantle.

The red eats the room. Too many small objects and small artworks. You need something big and bold to tame the red. Get rid of the small mirror over the mantle and go with a big mirror or a big painting. And I'd replace the small objects on the mantle with one or two bigger objects.

There's something about the colors...something a bit off for me. I'm thinking an earthier red, a muddy red, would have looked better with the floors than the candy-cane red, and instead of stark white, I would have paired the muddy red with a creamy or wheat color. OR I would have painted the floor white to go with your colors, but I'm always looking for an excuse to paint the floors white.

What about lighting? I'm thinking you have a ceiling light centered in this room? I don't recall seeing a pic. A BIG and funky pendant would help anchor the room.

Love the building, and your pad has good bones. Keep us posted with updates.

Wow. Thanks for the input everyone. I certainly did not expect my own thread.

The TV is definitely something I want to figure out. I've thought about flat panels that hang. I've thought about a custom armoire-type system. Both are just fairly expensive until I'm sure exactly what I want. It's what causes me the most thought for what to do next. I decided to get a table/shelf system for < 200$ from Target as a temporary solution. I think it fits with the rest of my furniture and it won't break my heart when I find a better solution.

As far painting the shelves red I will have to consider it. I really want to just rip them out and re-do the built-in. They are leftover from a previous owner and not done very well (IMO). It appears to be pre-fab shelves that were just the right size to place in the nook. They only go back roughly 12" when the space goes back over 20". They don't go all the way to the ceiling. So when I put new ones together maybe I will paint them to match.

The mantle definitely needs some pruning. I will probably do that tonight. The mirror needs replaced as well. I will probably keep my eye out for a larger one (I think the reflection does a bit for opening the room up. I also don't know that yet another piece of artwork wouldn't be overkill). I've taken Doug(great name)'s advice and spaced the chairs out a little.

patrick - A small round table is what was there from the previous owner. It was... OK. My thinking process was basically that I have people over to lounge more often than I have people over for a meal. The couch only fits 2-3 people (depending on how well they know each other) and the chairs add a little more room for seating.

Doug -- Lack shelving? Don't I have enough IKEA stuff already!? I definitely want some lack shelves -- just not sure of the right place(s) to put them. Over the couch? Over the TV? The wall next to the couch? I don't know. I need a bookcase in the bedroom so I can put about half the books from the "built-in" into the bedroom instead of it being so cluttered. Some of those could also move to Lack shelves.

ebrown -- interesting thoughs on the position of the couch and chairs. I will have to toy with that. It may put me too close to the TV/etc, though. And if I did have a round table in the alcove it would block that area. There's only 14' from the wall behind the couch to the wall behind the TV. 10' from couch wall to fireplace I think (maybe 12').

Todd - the only ceiling light is a spotlight to the fireplace. That's why I have that ugly torchiere(sp?) light. I need to get an electrician in to add some overhead lighting.

patrick/etc -- Thanks for the compliments on the chair. I think my grandparents would be happy it is being appreciated 50 years after they bought it. There's one that is white and similar in their old master bedroom, but it has six buttons in the back padding (flickr.com/photos/lordscarlet/11379151/in/set-280143/).

My dream system for the tv/fireplace/etc is hefty. I would love to build in either a wall or faux wall to the right of the fireplace so that it eem sto be set in the wall. Then, to balance things, have a "built-in" that matches the shelves to the right. This wall I've built would then have a hidden hinge door with a press and release-type system for opening it and then have it slide out of the way (like a garage door maybe?). Behind that would be the TV. The components could then be below/beside/whatever the TV, also inside the wall, and have an IR to RF converter so that you don't have to see them to control them. However, I don't have the skills to do something like that and I'd imagine it would be quite expensive through a contractor. I also can't fit the necessary tools inside 650 sq ft. I will probably try to tackle it at some point, but I've only been here for 6 months.

I think I addressed just about everything. I really appreciate the input and maybe I've sparked some other people to ask for help as well. I'm a 26 year old guy living by myself with no design background and worry that I have no clue what I'm doing -- my girlfriend keeps me on track, but it's always good to hear more opinions. Sorry this post was so long winded.

I would normally agree with Todd about the white being too bright to pair with the red, but since Doug's taste seems to be more modern, I think here it works (but you could also keep molding and mantel bright white, and knock the non-red wall colors back to a closer approximation of the couch color). I second the opinion about (white) Lack shelving above where the TV is, assuming it could go wall to wall to look built in. Then you could mimic the slab-like nature with new shelves on the right when/if you rebuild the shelving. If you do that, I'd also make the bottom portion closed/with doors, and mirror that on the TV side. I'm also liking CB2's Theory chair for your space...

www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=302&f=1965

Finally, this room has a real English feel to it, so for some modern inspiration, I'd start picking up copies of UK design mags.

Ok, I'll stop now!!

How you can enclose the TV

1. Balance what is to the left and right of the tv stand
a. If it's a stereo system to the left of your TV that can be separated, move the stereo to your bookshelves.
b. Otherwise, find a tv stand that can fit the stereo below the TV.

2. Then, install one shelf about a foot above your tv with attractive shelf objects on it (a vase, some books, the two pictures, etc.)

That way it looks like your tv is on an armoire. The only differences are there are no doors, and it's much cheaper.

Hi Doug,

While I agree with Todd about the mirror (very good idea), I would think twice before doing overhead lights. Doing them properly takes a gifted lighting expert, and generalized overhead lights seem to shrink space IMHO.

Might I suggest some small pot lights strategically placed in the corners to make your room seem more spacious, and perhaps a pharmacist's lamp for reading plus one or two ambient lights?

In Patrick's apartment from the contest, he used inexpensive under-counter lighting in his kitched (and bedroom if I'm not mistaken). You might consider that as well.

My caveat comes from having a celing fan/light fixture which gives off quite unappealing light. I'm still trying to figure out how to properly light my room because I have very few outlets--otherwise I'd already have gone for the potlight in the corner idea and added some swing-arm lamps next to my sofa.

Hey Doug....

I truely love the red.

If you were daring, perhaps move the mantel 3" to 4" forward. Make a wall 'pocket' to hide/enclose the the TV above the fireplace. Then build in some niches to store CD's and DVDs.

Then you would have a more home/hearth ideal, with the TV for the head and fire for your heart and the sides could be more balanced in a Shei kind of way.

Hi! I just happened on to this site, why? Because I am going to build a faux fireplace mantlel and place my tv inside it. If you aren't particularly fond of your fireplace you could do that, granted the measurements are good. Just thought I'd comment since that's prob why I got this site. I loveeeeeeeeeee the red! You Go! I thought I was daring, I love how the white pops out. I would also say the art work above your tv I think, would look better flush with eachother, side by side, touching even. Or like someone else mentioned one larger piece altogether.
Take care =great house! Are you in San Fran?
Valley Mom,
Colleen