Office/builtins suggestions

Would the builtins have to protude past the face of the fireplace? That seemed to be the case (as far as I could tell from the picture) and I don't think that would look good. If built-ins were flush with the depth of the fireplace, that should be okay.

Also, could you have doors on the units with tamour style doors to get them out of the way when equipment is in use? Maybe have a pop-up type shelf for the computer? Sort of like the mechanism some kitchens have for the heavy-duty mixers. Bookshelves alone without doors look good, but the computer sitting on top sort of fights with the fireplace. IMHO

Sorry "tambour" doors

Liked the painted wood finish vs. stained - blended into the wall nicely.

Don't like the shelves protruding out. I saw the 129 West 80th rental listing here: http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/rental/458089-coop-129-west-80th-street-upper-west-side-new-york

The fireplace had bookcases and cabinets on both sides - flush with the fireplace and very tasteful. I wish I could find a better picture.

Agree that the computer is a bit of a distraction; perhaps you can hide it behind cabinet doors.

How high above the floor are the windowsills? Could you do built-ins lining the windows? A desk set-up there,if the windowsills are at a standard height would look fine, and it would be nice to have the deek setup looking out (we have that in our study) Realized with the new computer screens you really don't need traditional 30" desk depth - a lot shallower works, put the keyboard on a pullout below, can also fit in file cabinets below.

You need to be careful with the fireplace wall because the fireplace is such a focal point that you need to defer to it, not compete with it. The fact that they painted that corner bookcase green like the wall helps it recede but the printer practically sitting on the mantel - not good. Can you put the desk coming out from the wall by the windows? Unless you've got a fine antique desk, I'd consider drilling a few discreet holes in the desk for those pesky cords.

And if you have heating unitsc below the window, basically just do the desk top in that positon , then do underdesk surface things (drawers) on either side.

I don't have heating units, so I don't need to disguise them. The window sills are low, so I can't put the desk there. The wiring is in the wall next to the fireplace, so I can't easily have the desk in the middle. Don't need a printer, but the monitor would be 40". Another difference is that our mantel has a built-in mirror.

buit in mirror is great - do you really need a 40" monitor? And again, can you fit everything flush to the fireplace wall? That would seem to be the key; to making it look good.

I don't, but it's not my monitor :) Currently, we have a 50" monitor, so 40" would be downsizing. Fitting everything flush is hard, the mantel is narrow.

am i the only one NOT seeing built-ins in the corcoran photos? are you referring to the low shelving on the left side of the fireplace? if so, i think it looks terrible and off-scale. is your fireplace working? if not, have you considered removing it to make the space more usable or are those sinful thoughts? are you not considering the wall with one door due to wiring? i'm not even going to ask why you need a 40" monitor.
If the fireplace wall is your only option, i agree that closing it off with doors will look best. books and computer gear have a way of junking up a space.

There is an L-shaped builtin to the left of the fireplace. The fireplace is decorative, but it would be SO sinful to remove it. It's very nice. The wall with one door is a possibility, it's not far from the wiring, but it's a door to a bathroom - wouldn't be weird to have a computer next to the entrance to a bathroom? Maybe not.

40" monitor good for computer games. I guess the consensus is not to mess up the fireplace wall. I would not put builtins under the window sills.

no, not weird and perhaps a better use of the space. do you have corners you can work with? i posted this in your other thread, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/house-tour-nicole-and-brandons-oak-park-bungalow-031266. not bad looking for ikea bookshelves. even better if you got solid doors. i think you really have to decide BETWEEN a 40" monitor and the fireplace, unless you can put the monitor on another wall or close it off.

can you move the fireplace to another room? bedroom maybe?

40" is the compromise. Currently, my partner has a 50", so 40" is downsizing. The problem with using the corner is that there would be shelves on 1 side of the fireplace and not the other. BTW, this is not the same space I spoke about in the previous thread.

i say go with the potty wall.

Fireplace can't be moved without great trouble. I already have more architectural salvage items than I know what to do with.

My original suggestion of putting the desk by the windows was to place it perpendicular to the windows but glare on the screen is surely a consideration. 40", huh? It's a size/guy thing.

the gaming monitor is too funny! my husband's brothers tried to get him into the computer games when we first moved up here. luckily (kind of), work keeps him so busy that he never had time to pick up the habit. you must have a ginormous television.

Why, of course. We got used to surfing on big screens when we had a computer hooked up to the TV. Kinda cool to be surfing the web on TV with a wireless keyboard. Putting the screen next to the windows would entail hideous mess of wires on the floor.

We have 40" TV - husband wants the bigger one - I tell him you have to be at least 20' away from it for it to make sense - guess I was wrong?

Next, you have obviously done lots of renovations- would it make sense to open the walls to put the electricty where you need it? So the wires wouldn't be snaking on the floor?

Acutally, not strange to have the computer next to the bathroom - rather convenient,

We have 50", couch is 15 feet away. Very comfortable.

I just had those wires run to the left of fireplace, I suppose I could move them to the other wall. Right of fireplace would be harder and messier (as it would have to traverse the fireplace).

Ah, just give the man the TV, ph. It takes so little to make them happy.

You're a good woman nyc, hope he knows how lucky he is!

i don't know, she's making him downsize....

Right - from 50" to 40" - what a give!! And she's trying to make it work in the libray!! Many women would have just said "give it up" I have to make this look good and the 40" screen is just not possible. Yet, she is trying to make it possible!!! And that is why she is truly a good (possibly unbelievably good) woman.

no offense 10023, but Jesus murray. zip it up, would you.

uws - what's your problem?

1) i was joking about downsizing
2) i think you're funny
3) it kinda feels like you're spooging all over my monitor

sorry for getting w67ish ;)

It was really interesting when you suggested moving the fireplace to another room!! i thought that was kind of funny.(something you would suggest if you've never owned something

glad i could make you laugh.
10023 - sorry to have soiled your thread :(

uwsmom - thanks, you did, I think you're kind of funny too(naive, but funny)

murray - we should definitely get together for a tickle party then,

Are you coming to the SE meetup?