August 12, 2008

Apartment

Hey folks! Am busy setting up my apartment so unable to respond to you or come around to your blogs. While I am at it, care to tell me

What do I do with a fireplace in a place like Houston where the temperatures always make you feel you are in an oven?

134 comments:

Pavi!!!! said...

i looooooove fireplaces . my old home used to have it..my new one doesn't :(( . Is there a way u can send me the fireplace?

ceedy said...

Very simple...

at night place lot of different size candles and light ...makes the place look nice and calm...

and if it is a real fireplace with a chimney...you could actually put a exhaust fan at the base....it will suck the interior air out and keeping the window open will get in fresh air...(it is called stack effect)

IncorrigibleV said...

LOL convert the mantle to a nice decoration place :)

Vaudevillian said...

mini kitchen stove;
so that guests' hunger dies simply by observing you cook sev spaghetti, which sevs you enough time to write a thesis on their 'supposedly odd behaviour'.

Solitaire said...

@ Pavi,

Fireplace in the midwest or East coast is understandeable. TEXAS??????????????????

Solitaire said...

@ Ceedy,

Aah the architect speaks!! I don't think its a "real" one.

You want me to place the candles where? On the mantle, outside the fireplace, or inside?

Solitaire said...

@ Vandita,

Done already! :)

Solitaire said...

@ Metrosexual,

Haha!!! Who knows..they might love it so much that they might come back again and again!

ceedy said...

If it is not real..then the fan thingy wont work...

and here is a link for the candles idea...
you can use colors and style as you want...

remember to have a glass of wine next to it with some close friends :)

http://www.colonialcandle.com/assets/department/large/CTM_Comfort_Fireplace2.jpg

gP said...

stuff a fridge inside there. or have u heard of a fireplace bar?...
neither do i, but thats a good start.

Considering Santa wont be dropping by in this life time, just plant something in it.

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

What is the malay comment? Is it for publishing or showing it to my mom for translation?

If I publish it, no point. No one understands it.

But if I do not, what do I do with it?

Aneesh said...

How about Air conditioner in Fireplace? :)

gP said...

there is a Malay comment?

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

Untuk memileh something something.

gP said...

oh damn! it came here! sorry...the cat tools for my translation auto capture memory. so when my first comment here was slow to go through, i just hit ctrl v. sorry, dont pub it.

Kanan said...

Okay I will try to make it SWEET! :P

I would go with Vandita's option. That's the most creative one. Best part is, you can keep changing it every week.

Btw, hope the storm wasn't that bad. Are you close to downtown or the bay?

Sriram said...

Ah.. I love fireplaces! The place where I live - Kerala - is as hot and humid as the Amazon Rainforest..
Coming to your qn., you can use it as a rocket-launching pad, easy access for ignition, and straight port for exit!
Sorry.. was completely lost for ideas :D

Wandering Minstrel said...

put your TV in there!!

place your dining table right in front of the fireplace and enjoy shows while eating!! :P :D

seriously! u can get the extra space all covered up neat! get in touch with an interior decorator!!

peace!

gP said...

waitdaminute! but u got the other not for publishing msg right?

Lukkydivs said...

send it here, am shivering with cold! :(

Rho Tau GWIS said...

Good luck with setting up the apt.

As for the fire-place, you know you can buy a candle stand that covers the fire-place and holds over a dozen candles. It looks gorgeous. I think you can get at Pier 1. I'll look it up and send you the link. You can always arrange multiple candles of various heights in front of it. Thats what I did in my old apartment. Also, if you have a mantle, that is the best spot for pictures!
Have fun!

Rho Tau GWIS said...

http://www.fireplacemall.com/Fireplace_Candelabra/fireplace_candelabra.html

Raghu Iyer said...

ha ha ha ...did you reply to me in some comment that you like hot...may be houston seems too hot da :):))......

but then are there no winters in houston?

you can put some lighting there and will glow and give your room some light (dim lit room)...

or just cover that place with some curtain...

AmitL said...

hehe..I don't know whether you're a 'typical'thrifty Gujjuben,but,if so,I'd suggest you use it to store all the lovely milk bottles,jars,plastic ni thelis,et al.:)
---
If not,then,what about a nice aquarium in the fireplace?At least,I'd do that-to utilize the unused space.:)

Anonymous said...

nys place for the barbecue...

unless u r a veggie...:D

Tuhin said...

Invite people over and let them go "Wow! you got a fireplace!!! Do you use it?!"

- "No"

I have been doing it for over two years now.

You should be thankful it doesn't snow in Houston. And the weather isn't any hotter than it was in India!

rayshma said...

arre do it up nicely... it'll look real lovely!
i love fireplaces. i think they add a lovely look n feel to the apartment.

Solitaire said...

@ Tuhin,

I love the snow!! I have lived in the midwest for 8 years now. This is unbearable for me!!

BTW, will people actually ask that question? DUH!!

Solitaire said...

@ Humble,

UGGH!! BBQ inside my home? AC lagakar?????

Solitaire said...

@ Amit,

GOOD IDEA..the first one!! YAY! Now I don't have to buy that bag dispenser from IKEA for 5 bucks! THANK YOU! :p

Solitaire said...

@ Phantom,

Winters in Houston are like winters in Bombay! I am sure no one uses a fireplace in Bombay, do they?

I like HOT food, not HOT weather!?

YIKES! Its unbearable here.

Solitaire said...

@ CG,

Good idea! Do you want to send me an "apartment warming" gift? :p

Solitaire said...

@ Lukky,

Why cold? Sick?

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

Yes I did! Hehe! You are so funny!

Solitaire said...

@ Swati,

Interior decorator?????

I am thinking of eating 10 cents Ramen noodles for lunch and dinner to save on money!!

BTW, that dining table idea is so whacky! :D

Solitaire said...

@ Rayshma,

Come over and help me! I cannot decorate things I have never seen before other than in movies.

Solitaire said...

@ Sriram,

HAHAHAH! Rocket launching pad? Provide me with the rocket!!

BTW, Kerala is beautiful. Houston is NOT!

Solitaire said...

@ Kanan,

Close to downtown. You familiar with Houston? Storm was not bad at all. It rained a bit but I was indoors doing NOTHING then. :)

Mantle decoration almost done. :)

Solitaire said...

@ Aneesh,

Haha! Antithesis eh? Already have an AC in the apartment. Maybe will put a box fan in there!

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

Plant what? Durian tree?

Solitaire said...

@ Ceedy,

That page is not opening up on the website. :(

ceedy said...

See if this one works..

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/chicago/3-3-08fireplace2.jpg

CG kinda suggested the same thing...but if you dont want to buy anything for a temp place right now...cheapest will be to buy 3 packs long burining candles from Ikea...and place them like the pic above...

gP said...

funny? i thought like if i die today from an asteroid impact...ud be the first ever girl i say that. ever. honest true from da heart. untainted. all this while i was afraid to say this, and i was miserable, but not anymore. im happy now.

gP said...

plant mushrooms. u can eat it. it likes the dark as well, so its a win win situation. of course, if your creative enough, and it is large enough, i can some chicken rearing, fish pond....


or u can jst turn it into a mystery hole.

Solitaire said...

@ Ceedy,

Damn! This aparment is fancy!

Solitaire said...

@ CG,

Now your link is not opening!!

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

WOW! Rear chickens, grow mushrooms, and then light a candle, cook them and eat them, right?

BTW, that asteroid comment..publish or not?

Raghu Iyer said...

then why came to houston....jaane dhena re...waise bhi maine USA map bi teek se nahi dekha....houston ho ya kuch bhi...usa tho usa hai...yeah if you compare houston to bombay then its ok...no need for fireplace...but then is there a fireplace in any home in bombay...kya baath karthi hai re!!!

ya tho aisa ghar lo jisme fire place hi na ho...and ghost wants to hatch chicken there...kya fry pan hai ya hatchery ka business karna hai...bird flu ho jaayega unheiginic conditions me...chicken guniea ho saktha hai...(just joking da :))

do what i said...
use that place as a decoration...

ha ha ha ha ha... :)

Rho Tau GWIS said...

http://www.candlesbyconnie.com/fireplace_candle_holders.html

I hope this one works.
Also, check out your local Garden Ridge store. You will most likely find something similar there.

Solitaire said...

@ Phantom,

FYI, Ghost does not know hindi so kindly translate the comment for him.

Also, I do not choose my places of work and study based on the WEATHER. Do you do that? Then I guess you would not be in Ahmedabad.

And I do not know if Mumbai has fireplaces or not. Never lived there.

Solitaire said...

@ Phantom,

What does USA toh USA hai mean? Do you think the entire USA is the same?

gP said...

what the! the one who uses part of my name...

i can sense some disease and spreading and bad farming techniques in your comment.

But i am very sure, with enough resources, a small chicken coop can be started there. and also the mushroom farm.

and a terrarium would look splendid.

or one of those zen waterfalls.

or Sol, you could write the names of all the bloggers u hate and burn them daily.

if i drop by, we can do a bbq inside there...

or u can get one of those animation fireplace screen thingy.

if you can clean it and stuff the ventilation hole, u can turn it into a boohshelf.

gP said...

oookay...thats a book-shelf. typo. my bad.


i got to look at this~
http://www.shakinstyle.com/images/2007/11/13/kephrenpyramidfireplace_2.jpg


oh an someone really did star a vivarium inside a fireplace...http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/enclosures/2825-fireplace-terrarium-re-decorated.html

Vrijilesh Rai said...

Get urself a pet kitten and make it her pad :)

APOO said...

Its not meant for winter or any season. Its just for Santa U know...

ancientmariner said...

buy an AC..bring down the temps to 10-15 F and then use the fireplace..

Anonymous said...

A Vodka bar is good enough....

Come on..you have the exhaust already....just ready a small low polished mahagony table, get a rack, some glasses....a compartment for bottles...and BOOZE!!

and oh..there'll still be some space for a CD changer.. :P

gP said...

whoa! ancientmariners idea is cool.

SMM said...

Me got a few ideas -

1) Light it on a rainy day when you n your guy are all dripping wet...and well you get the rest of the idea if you watch Aradhna :P

2) Candlelight dinner

3) Make biryani in your fireplace...it tastes yummmmmm

4) Use it for your cooking...save gas. Be environment - friendly

5) Dare the most obnoxious guy to climb it during a party & then board it up from below :P

6) Keep milk & cookie next to it on Christmas Eve for Santa

man in painting said...

leave it as it is..
when winter comes what will you do..
lol
MIP

gP said...

u kno wat... jst move to a new place sans the fire place.

Lucifer said...

its jus nice to have one...i remember when i was young we had a fireplace in every room...i feel so cozy n romantic jus seeing one :)

Kanan said...

Sol, only a little bit. Have visited the place numerous times before and have driven around quite a lot so. Is this your first time there?

Arjun said...

cover the top so you don't have rain/snow dripping down....
Then with the use of some lights.. it'll be the most attractive area in your drawing room..

Cinderella said...

LOl @ write names of bloggers you hate on paper n burn hem there everyday !!!!!

Who has all that time bhai to think of creepy bloggers....lol ?!!

I'll go with Ceedy's idea, candles n stuff give a nice endearing feel..

D said...

I wrote a whole thing about how you could put candles there. Then realised just about everyone's already told you that. So, ditto.

gP said...

@cind, sol

im thinking satan worship will b so cool. like that movie...that....i forgot the title...but that movie. then everyone gets killed. yeh.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Switch on room aircon to very very low temperature and then light the fire & of course enjoy the luxury
TC
CU

Hiren said...

arey ... use the fireplace for precisely the function it is meant to do ... just install a couple of high capacity air-conditioners in your living room ... & whenever you feel like lightning a fire in the fireplace ... start your a/cs full throttle ... and in a few mins you will be relocated from Houston to Minneapolis :)

♥ÐÅyÐяєÅмє®♥ said...

Make it a barabecue...and and araam se khana banao waha :P

Rakesh said...

hot ke upar hot..kya baat hai..iska koi upaye nahi hai bhai:)

Stupidosaur said...

If its cold put burning coals and logs in fireplace.

If not, put a heap of big ice cubes.

From practical pt of view, cooler is enough.

Ankur said...

never had or have so it will be all filmy from me!! :P

use it for ur pets i wud have said, but then i realise u dont have one... u rnt a cat person!! :P

use it as a bar i wud hv said, but then as far as i know, u dont drink much!! :P

but i think.. make it a nice place which u can decorate, with candles, photos, wine bottles, frills, watever.. decorate it!!

i know i m poor with it!! :P

Ankur said...

waise ya.. one more.. use it as a book shelf!! :D

Solitaire said...

@ Ankur,

Sahi pehchana! Ek nerd hi use kar sakti hai fireplace ko bookshelf ki tarah!

Solitaire said...

@ Stupid,

Why so matter of fact today?

Houston and cold...just do not go together.

Icecubes in the fireplace for a flood in my apartment? Have had enough floods...no more!

Ankur said...

hehe.. nerd nahi geek.. bola tha na maine!! ;)
lolzzz

Solitaire said...

@ Rakesh,

Basically people are going to burn with envy that I have a fireplace, and I am going to burn regardless.

Solitaire said...

@ Daydreamer,

Haan..it will seem like olden times. Chulha jalate hai types..

Solitaire said...

@ Hiren,

And power bills?????????? Well, I guess it will still be cheaper than a flight from Houston to MN. Right?

Solitaire said...

@ Compassion,

Switch on AC to low temperature, and turn the fireplace on? Might as well stand in the balcony for a minute of heat and save on the power bills!

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

Have you not taken your medication today? You are hallucinating again.

Solitaire said...

@ D,

Haha! I am now actually going to go buy some!

Solitaire said...

@ Cindy,

Apparently, Ghost does that!

Candles is a good idea.

Solitaire said...

@ Arjun,

It does not have a chimney so no problems with rain and all.

BTW, the most attractive place (for me) in my living room is where the TV is. :D

Solitaire said...

@ Kanan,

No.. my third time here but first time living here. When's your next visit?

Solitaire said...

@ Mayz,

Cozy and romantic? Sahi hai! Will give it a shot.

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

Brilliant suggestion....NOT! You must be nuts!!!!! Why don't you come pack and move everything for me?

Solitaire said...

@ Man in Painting,

Winters in Houston are like summers in Dayton!

Solitaire said...

@ Vrij,

Don't you know????????? I am allergic to cats!

Wandering Minstrel said...

hehe..okie..watch shows that showcase home decor..on the very same tv that u r gona throw in! :P

peace!

Unknown said...

arey sahi...

i'd convert it to a bowling track.. apna 10 pin wala... :D

Unknown said...

Abe Soli... what will ur friends say now when they r in trouble?

Huston we have a problem...
Huston we have a problem?

LOL

Solitaire said...

@ SMM,

Lots of problems with your ideas!

1) Light it on a rainy day when you n your guy are all dripping wet...and well you get the rest of the idea if you watch Aradhna :P

Which guy?

2) Candlelight dinner

With who?

3) Make biryani in your fireplace...it tastes yummmmmm

Don't like rice. :(

4) Use it for your cooking...save gas. Be environment - friendly

I will probably only use the microwave to make noodles, anyway.

5) Dare the most obnoxious guy to climb it during a party & then board it up from below :P

Hhehe! You cannot climb it. Its not real.

6) Keep milk & cookie next to it on Christmas Eve for Santa

Hehe! Santa will never come to my place. I have too many unrealistic wishes.

Ab kya hoga?

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

Waterfall is out! I don't want my room to flood. What is a Zen waterfall?

Bookshelf is a good idea.

Maybe even do a "friends" like thing where I can burn all the memories of my exes in there! yayyyyyy! Great idea!

Solitaire said...

@ Apoo,

What do you ask from Santa? Unlimited daal dhokli?

Solitaire said...

@ Ancient,

A lot many people suggested that!! Are you all serious???????

Solitaire said...

@ Nitin,

You wanna come join me for the party? No fun doing all this alone!

Solitaire said...

@ Swati,

Good idea! Till then let the fireplace be!

Solitaire said...

@ Iceman,

Hahahahahhahaha! Aye aye!

Bowling! What a unique idea! Will put some coke cans there today and roll a tennis ball and see what happens!

gP said...

sooo...when can I move in?

Solitaire said...

@ Ghost,

Into the fireplace? Anytime...as long as you pay rent. Will give you a discount since its a small place.

gP said...

hey u never know, I might fit. i'm very low maintenance....but I never sleep.

Raghu Iyer said...

ha ha ha...a li'l correction...at least i am not particles of ghost...ha ha ha...

well well...ghost particle i was talking about the chicken gunea and bird flu when infected chicken is used....

hey solitaire, your reply comment to me is a question as well as answer...ha ha ha ...i dont know about USA and you dont know about Mumbai... cheers...

hey Soul, you can put some fireflies in the fireplace, which will glow and make the place bright...also no electric bill or wood cost...wot say?

even you can use it for meditation and going to trance...or put some crystal ball to gaze at the bloggers...ha ha ha...woodoo...

Pavi!!!! said...

@sol: okay..now tht u have found a way to use the place as a decorative mantle..im sure ur not gonna look arnd for ways to send it to me :|

Anonymous said...

You are settling in houston?? great!! I live here too.. You might need that fireplace in december..it may get little colder during that time of the year..but if you have lived in east coast earlier then forget it..this is nothing compared to what you must have gone thru..

-'P'

ancientmariner said...

intelligent people think alike :D. You should give some serious thought to that idea then.

cm chap said...

Dedicate that place for your dream guy (For his photo) of the day...

anits said...

hi .. nice place for bbq i guess.. hey u can speak malay???? :) thatz cool!

ceedy said...

Just for information - w/ref to dropping the temperature of A/C to low 10-15Deg C

A regular home A/C can cool upto 17 C (64F) Any cooler than that causes the evaporator to ice over, clogging the air flow to the room, which in turn increases the temp. to rise even though the A/C is running...

Kanan said...

@Sol, no idea about next visit. I will let you know as soon as it comes up. :)

gP said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikungunya

its not chicken guinea...its chikungunya and it has nothing to do with Chickens. Its carried by mosquitoes...oh never mind. Its seems to be a predominant spelling mistake in India.

there is a long history behind particles of ghost.

gP said...

hehehe sol... now they know u can talk Malay.

Am In Trance said...

Make That A Temporary Dog House...!!

Eh.. HoTDoG..
LoL..
TkCare Sweety..!!

Happy Independence Day...
:)

♥ÐÅyÐяєÅмє®♥ said...

mere ghar k bagal mein ek bhains ka tabela hai...main waha se gobar k uple fedex kar doonga...wohi jalana and roti pakana :P

restless_soul said...

i do not love fire and not fireplaces; its not cold here anymore..

Hemanth Potluri said...

dinner by the fireplace wud rock buddy try it out :)..decorate with candles all around...


urs..hemu..

Solitaire said...

@ thinker,

Where is here?

Solitaire said...

@ daydreamer,
Will it stink? The FedEx guy might pass out on the way!

Solitaire said...

@ cm,

Photo of the day or guy of the day? Guy has been the same for 20 years now. Its aamir Khan.

♥ÐÅyÐяєÅмє®♥ said...

nahi na badboo nhi maarti :P

india mein toh har village mein use hota hai :P

rantravereflect/ jane said...

:) is it large enough for a secret 'make-out hide-out?'??
;)

good place to build a fifferent kinda fire;) kitschy and kinky :)

Solitaire said...

@ Jane,

Haha! I do not think Aamir Khan is visiting Houston soon, though.

Solitaire said...

@ Daydreamer,

Aisi baat? Bhej de!

Solitaire said...

@ Hemu,

OKIE!! Thanks dude.

Solitaire said...

@ Am in trance,

HAHAH! Great use of words!

Solitaire said...

@ Ceedy,

YIKES!

Thanks for the information. No more yanking up the AC and lighting the fire idea guys!

Solitaire said...

@ Anits,

Hehehe....thats a secret.

You speak malay?

Solitaire said...

@ Anonymous,

YEAHHHHH! But what's the point of knowing that? You are anonymous! :(

Solitaire said...

@ Phantom,

Again, the name is SOLITAIRE please.

fireflies idea sounds good but who will catch them?

Anonymous said...

I was born ready for a party..!! especially something that implements my ideas..


so when is it? :P

Raghu Iyer said...

so what if i call you "Soul"...even otherwise Solitaire is just your blog name...ha ha ha...i dont know your name...dont bother much...

Deepali said...

Someone might have suggested this already -

Get that electronic stuff that looks like a fire - so basically with a switch of a button, you feel a fire is on but no heating happens.

Joy deep Majumder said...

Make tandoori naans...if u like murgi shurgi...learn making tandoori kababs....