Chess Room/Corner - help me decorate!

EDIT: CHESS TABLE AND CABINET ARE FOR SALE!

~$800 + shipping, or $700 picked up in South Florida (make me an offer)

Finally moved into my newly remodeled place, one of the first things I set up was my chess table and cabinet (custom crafted by Mike at Mill Road Woodworking).

This room was the old kitchen, I relocated it and closed it off so it has no natural light, to avoid walnut bleaching (a big problem in coastal Florida!).

The cabinet has a compartment in the back that holds two JLP/Drueke chessboards upright in custom felt bags (by Jack at Chess Player Store).

There’s a small book assortment on the bottom shelf, and 4 sets (awaiting custom boxes at the moment):

• Oldset - Regency
• Oldset - Latvian/Mordovian
• Biro Sandor - Hungarian/Romanian
• HoS - Fischer/Spassky (to be replaced by a 3.5 Jacques Staunton from Oleg Raikis)

Not shown are a Noj Tal and a Noj BCE Blitz… which are enroute!

Here is my question - what on earth do you suggest can go on the left wall covering that hideous electrical panel? It should be of cloth/fabric, so easy to move aside if needed. I’ll be mounting a TV on the right, with a soundbar below.

A poster of your favorite chess master.  For example https://www.redbubble.com/i/poster/The-World-Champ-by-LancasterSite/93598294.LVTDI

or

https://www.allposters.com/-sp/Mikhail-Chigorin-1850-1908-and-William-Steinitz-1836-1900-in-Havana-1880-1880-Posters_i15812444_.htm

 

https://www.allposters.com/gallery?txtSearch=chess&userSearch=true&SSK=chess

How about a rug on the wall, a red and buff demo-board with pieces to pin up? Quite the challenge to make or find a nice knit&stitched set matching your carved&turned ones

@VBerriz Wow! The walnut color and grain of the tabletop looks incredible.

Are you set on hanging fabric to hide that electrical panel? In my house, I need access to the breaker box maybe 2-3 times a year at most. You can hang a large frame there to cover it. It will look more "normal" than a curtain on a windowless wall. Just take the frame down, flip the breaker and put it back up in 30 seconds.

I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but I see you have a monochrome look going on there that contrasts with the walnut. Maybe a framed large scale b/w landscape print, like an Ansel Adams.

If it was me,,, a large scale copy of the classic b/w Herb Ritts, Batman print would look AWESOME. Hah!

A poster of your favourite game?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/738392527/kasparovs-immortal-chess-game-art-gifts

And to cover the electrical thingie, search for "chess blanket" on Etsy.

I dunno I think the room looks perfect

Less is more

I’m having trouble sleeping tonight, after a big week… hard to turn off - what better than redesigning a room to ease one’s mind. 😊

Perhaps … soften the corner … assuming the TV on the wall is not going to be squashed in the corner …
Slide the chess storage cabinet to the right - covering the electrical plug and to sit under the TV and sound bar. Ensure the TV Is professionally fitted so cords are not hanging down ….

Into the corner put a lovely, tall leafy indoor plant - to soften the corner, and mask the electrical box and create visual height difference.

On the TV, when it is not in use to watch a show - rotate some beautiful HD visual art on the screensaver such as that suggested above … love the chess art … maybe find something animated too … it could be quite mesmerising watching those chess lines play out!

Chuck a rug on the floor to provide a bit of warmth and soften the noise

Sit back, enjoy and lie in the rug when you can’t solve a tricky chess problem … stare at the ceiling and get all upside down Queen’s Gambit about your problem …

… ok I’m going back to sleep now. 😴 💤

Whoa! That is nice! Congrats! I second the idea about the poster.

Man ray chess poster ?

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/geometric-chess-set-designed-by-the-artist-man-ray-sits-news-photo/3362681

A vertical chess board would not only cover the panel, but also provide a display for one of your other sets.

What about ordering nice frame (one time expense) and printing (with good quality!) any chess puzzle/position which you like?

I imagine that you are going to invite your friends to play serious or casual games. This position might be complicated, maybe easy - but it will draw separate attention and thinking for your guests!

Demonstration magnetic chess board .

Keep them coming, these are all FANTASTIC ideas. I promise to post an update once I decide what to do.

It’s funny, we all think in very similar ways; my first thought was actually one of those Etsy chess prints, with either Kasparov’s Immortal or the Fischer Spassky Game 6. Then, I thought about a vertical chess set, given the verticality of the electrical panel.

After that, my mind turned to “non-chess” things, and a nice monochrome print came to mind (framed or fabric/tapestry). I could also add a much needed splash of color and go totally modern/abstract, which matches the cold modernity of the apartment. I’m in love with the Batman print, @Pawnerai

@Powerdigit, you and I both like leafy green plants in the house! That corner has a hidden cubby closet, and the cabinet juuuust hides it. I could move it and place a plant there, but then two problems arise - the door is visible, and there is less room for players on the table (the table would be moved from the wall, and another identical chair brought in).

The apartment is very minimalistic/Japanese in style, and I have the white wall/light gray tile/walnut wood motif throughout (bed is walnut, desk, dining table, couch legs, undercounter backplate, etc). Color is artwork, primarily modern.

 

I think you can easily make your own poster and frame it. There's high quality printing services online and in most cities.

• You favourite player
• Poster or photo from a chess event (maybe an Olympiad?)
• Your favourite game (even better if it's one of yours... a photo or notation)
• Photo or sketch of your favourite chess pieces
• I was at the British Museum and saw the Elgin Marbles. The Selene horse was VERY impressive and moving. There must be a print of this. I haven't seen conclusive evidence it was the inspiration of Nathaniel Cooke's Staunton design used by Jacques of London (but I think it's VERY likely).
• Your favourite motivational chess quote
• Since you have NOJ Tal set... maybe a cover of the book that inspired Chuck to research and resurrect the design?
• Etsy has lots of interesting chess posters. You might even be able to do a triptych.
• Area rug on the floor to warm up the space?
• Shelves on the wall (probably some nice floating Ikea shelves). You dont have to fill it too much with chess items... but even some plants.
• Desktop? Floor lamp?

@VBerriz I'm curious, what are the measurements of the table? Tabletop length x width x height. Leg-room measurement from floor to bottom of the table apron. Square size is 2.25" I'm assuming? And no drawer, correct?

Did you take pics of the outside and inside of the shipping crates? I'd love to see how it was packed to safely arrive from Canada.

My favorite piece of chess art is this.

It's the Chess Forum on Thompson Streer a couple of blocks from Washington Square Park.

Link

maybe a chess clock?

Wow! That is cool @KineticPawn.

Now thats a great looking shop. If I ever get to that part of the world I will visit it.