I have a thing for unusual fireplaces. Not sure what it is about them. Of course, once I get into the place I then have the challenge of arranging furniture around it and decorating the mantle and such. It is a difficulty. I am having some issues now.


This was the fireplace in the house in Everett that I just had to have. The rest of the house was not so hot but this fireplace made me go "Ooh!". It was so unusual and big. It needed some paint. I even had a brief moment where I considered stripping the paint off the brick. That lasted all of one hour of internet research before I knew that was not going to happen. After three years there I had it how I liked it... and then we sold.


All of the furniture, except the coffee table which will never leave us, has been sold on craigslist. I have also replaced it with new, to us, pieces off craigslist. In most cases the items are sold for more than I bought them for and the new stuff costs less than I sold the old for... I love this! I guess you could call it a hobby. Jess might call it annoying at times. I get carried away and sometimes the things I purchase are a shade of yellow that is somewhat abrasive to the eyes. Most of the time he is very proud of my shopping savvy and I know he appreciates my thrifty ways.


So now we are at a new place down here in California. It is a rental so I am limited in what I can do. I have an all new, as in direct from 1981, fireplace. I am having some issues figuring out how to work it. It's big and off center.... and again it was one of the main things that I liked about the place.


I need help.