Was: Paneled ceiling/walls, Lava Rock FP, Now Lightened Up

10 years ago

I've been meaning to post a followup on my never-ending remodeling saga. The FR got an update when the kitchen got expanded earlier this year ( EIK Reveal Link). The EIK is traditional with a touch of Hollywood Regency, so the goal was to lighten up the FR and make it relate better to the rest of the house.

I noticed quite a few posts with 60s and 70s era FRs with paneling and rock walls. In our case, we had a 60s addition to a 1937 home that had paneling on the walls and ceiling when we first moved in. The paneling was not the nice stuff I see people are able to paint and adapt. There were also stained glass windows, parquet floors, an built-in green rug, and a wall of rock (mixed with lava rock). Here it was originally:

It was really, really dark:

In the first wave of remodeling, the paneling on the ceiling, the stained glass, the old bar top, the flooring and part of the rock came down. After living with that for years, during the latest remodeling frenzy we undertook, the wall paneling came down, the trim painted out, and the fireplace wall was torn out. The fireplace went from a wall of rock to a pile of bricks.

The new fireplace and built-in entertainment area are shown below. The built-ins are custom inset cabinets, built to match the Crystal Cabinets in the kitchen (too much on-site customization was needed to use the same brand, no matter how much they could customize the pieces off-site). The two grills in front lower corners are speaker cabinets. The left most X cabinet holds the stereo equipment. The FP tile is a beveled arabesque with a relief (Ken Mason Tile) that I loved and wanted to use somewhere in the home. The hearth is some leftover squares from when we redid the entryways during the half-step remodel. The style of paneling, inset cabinets and bookcases mimic the original built-ins in the formal LR (Covered in this thread ). The cabinets may get lighted; they are wired for it. The TV is 60" on a swivel extension mount; the opening can hold a 65".

Closeup of FP tile:

View in the other direction --- I still need to buy art and a mirror for this room. I've been looking for some locally sourced art.

One final shot, with others in the photobucket archive:

I've shown a few shots before, but since this seems like it will take forever to get finished with all the details, I thought I post and ask for some advice on finishing details and other changes. I'd eventually like to replace the bar stools, the sectional and get a new chest for near the bar And, as I mentioned, I need some wall decor. I especially need ideas on what to do above the fireplace, behind the bar, and alternative ways to place the room.

This post was edited by gooster on Thu, Nov 7, 13 at 0:11

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Comments (36)

roarah
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow!!! So pretty what a transformation! Enjoy Your lovely work!
Holly- Kay
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It's beautiful Gooster!
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I love your home, and love the woodwork. It probably has darkened with age, and could be nicer if stripped and refinished, but with 4 younger kids that is a project for down the road. For now, I am glad that you are not painting it. You have gotten lots of great suggestions, but many of them seem to be things that at this point you cannot do for a variety of reasons. Since you are suggesting that some of the fixes will be temporary, until your youngest is a bit older, I am thinking in terms of working with what you have, rather than making some changes now that may not work down the line when you are ready to really alter things. Since this is your family room, where all of you gather, imo we need to think in those terms, more than about what looks pretty. I get the impression that you don't use your front door often, since the loveseat is currently sitting there. So, despite the fact that I love the fireplace, you said it is non-working, I believe. It seems to me that for now, the place for the TV is in front of the fireplace. Straight on, almost as a replacement. Don't paint the brick, either. The one thing that could be nice is if the TV stand were a bit lower, so that the top line of the tv sat just below the mantel. With the tv in front of the fireplace, we need to move the viewing angles around a little. I would try the couch all the way back at the end of the room, in front of the double window. Move the torchiere down to replace that little table that is sitting in the corner. It seems like you should have enough space, with the couch against the end wall, to leave the sofa table where it is with the lamp on it. Take the loveseat and put it on the front window wall where the couch is now. Use the little end table to the left side, right by the entry, and add another table lamp (stolen from somewhere?) on that table. Keep the loveseat and table pushed as far to the left, close to the door, as possible, to give the tv visual 'breathing room'. Get rid of the runner in front of the couch. Leave the blinds, I think they are fine, but get rid of the window scarves. I would stay away from curtains, but would consider adding a simple valance above the front and end wall windows, hung just below the picture moulding. Nothing gathered, but rather something flat with pleats. Something like this style: premier stripe inverted pleat valance I would take down all the things you have hanging on the walls in there and re-group. It appears you have a mirror on the wall behind the door, which seems pretty much unusable. The framed art is marching around in a row, and is spaced too far apart. Consider taking the pix that relate to one another and making a grouping of them above the sofa table. I would take down the mirror over the fireplace for now - maybe it can find a new home elsewhere in the house. The tv will kind of dwarf anything that is framed up there, so instead try the large candlesticks to one side (but not all the way to the edge), with a richer color for the candles. Add a lower, wider vase or planter with some taller twigs and green grasses, etc in it, to bring some color and softness above the tv. Think about adding some other items to the pretty shelving besides framed pix - maybe some books, a couple of interesting pieces of pottery, etc. Look for things that pull out some of the colors that are in the fabric you want to use. As for paint, I would use a warm beige color on the walls, and go two shades lighter above the picture rail, same lighter color on the ceiling and on the entire fireplace area above the mantel only. I love greens, but looking at the wood in the room, especially in the closer shot, it feels like beige/gold would do more to bring out the richer tones in the wood. Be sure you have the highest wattage you can get in the lamps. Don't use the ceiling fan lights for lighting the space. They only create glare up high and shadows down below, unless you have them on a dimmer and can get a soft light effect that just kind of washes the ceiling. I think once you add some warm color with the paint, and bring in your pillows and accents, the room will feel warmer and more friendly.
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WOw that is beautiful @Beth thanks for all the ideas. Nice job with your place too— thanks for the color ideas. My sofa is currently black, the table and chairs are medium teak but i have def another chair to reupholster- wonder about going light on all the furniture. I have lots of guests (like 25 at a time for classes sometimes) so worry about them staying clean but also not looking like so much black.I agree re blak slate at entry. Is the white stone i have called flagstone? Thanks for all your good ideas...i like the more clear, clean, lighter looks. Creamy soft furniture is nice, as long as I can find good ones with washable covers or keep it clean. I love that look. What a cool design artist!
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you have a great opportunity to make that wall a focal feature. so many things you could do. I would wall mount the tv and do a console a bit longer than the span of the tv. builtins on either side or shelving for your plants. here are a bunch of photos showing tv/sofa layout. don't look so much at the style, just the layouts. some have a fireplace so ignore that and just imagine a console in it's place. just one sofa facing the tv w/chairs in opposite corners. (this layout could work for the super deep sofa size) same set up as your room. (ignore the style!) sofas facing each other. if you want super deep sofas, I don't think this layout would be ideal for that size. layout using a sectional Find a vintage mcm console and use it below the tv. look at Article for sofas in my own space I used the Article black leather sofa, the bench and walnut chair, and I have a vintage Brasilia console.
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TxMarti
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So light and welcoming now. I love it!
cat_mom
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice transformation!!!
yayagal
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It looks wonderful, love those green chairs.
Vertise
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Amazing!

It's so bright in there now, what type of lighting did you install?
amykath
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Now that is a transformation!!! Looks amazing!
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow! What imagination to see what the before could become. Great job!
badgergal
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hard to believe that is the same room. I bet you just love to sit in there now. Congratulations on a job well done. Your space is fabulous. Good luck on finding art and accent pieces.
Gooster
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks so much for the positive feedback! I wanted to post this because I know there have been numerous posts about paneling and large rock fireplaces. It is also not 100% done and I'm seeing if there are other ideas on finishing details.

I also forgot to add that my GC redid the trim in the room to match the rest of the house and the built-ins now are in a similar style to the original LR (where I'm seeking ideas in another thread). The lighting was expanded, windows enlarged/replaced, drywall added, dry rot repaired, new switches added (including one by the garage entrance), and the electrical replaced. The overall goal was to blend it better with the rest of the house. Some compromises were made. We actually investigated raising the floors and raising the roof -- way too expensive. Also, matching the flooring on the slab foundation to the wood is not in the cards for now.

snookums2: the overhead lights are 6" LEDs (Ecosmart) on a dimmer -- they provide very generous ambient lighting. Plus there are wall sconces and lamps to vary the lighting depending on the situation. The cans are not used during tv viewing. There are some challenges with the large trees cutting down on natural light.

anneD: can't take credit for vision; had to live in it for a long time in the "1st wave reno" stage and then completed the last transformation in two stages. When it was first purchased long ago, the room scared away potential buyers, the listing agent said.
lazy_gardens
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I usually try to figure out a way to work with existing features ... but that fireplace had no redeeming features

Sometimes the best design tool REALLY is a wrecking bar.
chispa
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It went from a depressing dungeon to a bright and happy room. Well done!
kam76
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow what an amazing transformation I love it! Can I ask you how big your seating area is there with the firepalce, sectional, chairs etc. It looks similar (at least in my head to what I am working with and I am just curious because it is such a lovely room.

I would get some sort of large print or painting that could fit in that niche above the fireplace. I love going to our semi annual "Arts Walks" to browse what local artists have to offer. Etsy is another fun site to get lost in. You might even be able to "commission" something if you have something in mind and don't see anything you like.
mtnrdredux_gw
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nice work! Love the built-in wall.
louisianapurchase
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
WOW! What an inviting space for family and friends whereas before it was so dark and dreary. Great Job!!!!
Pipdog
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
what a difference! I love the arabesque tile on the fireplace.
Gooster
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks again to you all for the encouragement.

lazygardens: the first attempt at remodeling was a quarter step that aimed to work with the existing elements. The dark lava rocks even received a paint wash in an effort to lighten them up. When the kitchen was redone, getting rid of the fireplace was a high priority. The jackhammers came out, and over a ton of rock came down. This was not nice thin veneer.

kam76: the fireplace wall is about 15' 4" long. The entire seating area is about 13'6" away from the fireplace wall, and the back of the green chairs are 17' away from the opposite wall. Behind the sofa is a four foot aisle plus a console -- it is the main pathway to the garage and the rest of the home. The main seating area "floats" and is working pretty well.. The aisle between the green chairs and the 11 foot long bar (an original feature that was dressed up with granite, paint and new moldings) is a bit tight but is not a major traffic path. The TV is a 60" flat panel on a tilting and rotating mount, but can be pushed back when the crowed is smaller. I am hoping the size of the TV is balanced by the fireplace and the cabinetry. You can see more pics in the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: FR Photo Bucket

This post was edited by gooster on Tue, Oct 8, 13 at 2:28
gsciencechick
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I like the reno. I normally don't mind paneling in FR's, but yours was very dark and not cozy. Now it looks so much more inviting.
mlweaving_Marji
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I hadn't seen this before. What an amazing transformation. Lovely room. I need to go take a look at the LR. I love your kitchen, I remember that.
So how are you coming on your art?
My husband and I have been collecting artwork over the last 15 years we've known each other and the 12 years of our marriage. Mostly it's an organic thing - we don't go looking for art for a particular wall. We've found almost all our most treasured best pieces when we've been on vacations. I guess since we tend to go to places where there are great galleries, we like walking through galleries, and on vacay we're relaxed and not "on a mission to find the right piece".
You obviously have patience, so I'm going to suggest carrying the measurements for the spaces you want to fill, and digital pics of the spaces, and being open to walking into galleries when you happen on them.
IMHO if you go looking for a piece to match your decorating it'll look like a decorator piece.
AngelCowgirl
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Love, love, LOVE this! That fireplace tile is swoon-worthy...
Gooster
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
mlweaving_Marji: The LR/DR (and the FR) remains a work in progress. I was actually going to post an update and look for ideas. The art search also continues. Like you, we like to pick up pieces when we travel. It is supplemented with stuff from local galleries and even a few vintage finds (old maps, old paintings, etc). That's a great suggestion to carry the dimensions of the spaces -- I'll go load the phone. We just went to Italy and found a piece or two -- the challenge always is hauling or shipping the larger stuff back.

AngelCowgirl: Thanks. The tile was a "gotta have it" when searching for the kitchen BS. It turned out great as a FP surround.
cat_mom
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Spectacular!!!! Hard to believe it's the same room!!!!
marrilyn
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, what a beautiful transformation!

I love that leather chair! Would you mind telling me the brand? I have been looking for one for a while.
outsideplaying_gw
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Love seeing nice, mind-blowing renovations like yours, Gooster! Looks terrific!
msrose
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I've been looking for fireplace tile and I don't know why it never occurred to me to use white. What a gorgeous tile! Can you tell me the name of it?
Gooster
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
thanks catmom, marrilyn, outsideplaying, msrose. Slowly additional details are falling into play -- maybe by T-day.

marrilyn: the chair is from Sam Moore, but it is an old piece. When we lived with the paneling we went "went big" with the lodge-y / club look. I think it predates the day when PB started marketing similar french club chairs.

msrose: the tile is Arabia in Gloss White in the South Beach line from Ken Mason Tile. White is a risk for a fireplace, but we're not in a climate that supports a lot of fp use.
amykath
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh my!!! I would never guess that was the same room! What an amazing transformation. It is so elegant. What a great job you did!!!
nhb22
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your room is one of the best transformations that I have ever seen! Absolutely gorgeous. :)
nancybee_2010
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It looks fantastic!
kiki_thinking
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just wonderful! I would love to take a jackhammer to mine.

The end result is just really lovely!
edeevee
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Holy Shamoley! That's fabulous! I really love the way you mixed the colors and patterns. It gives the eye so many great spots to rest on.
Gooster
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, thanks so much, all! We lived so long in the partial remodel we got so used to rock walls and cherry paneling (and furniture to match).

edeevee: it was a challenge to combine all the old furniture without buying too much new (two chairs). We ended up with a lot of warm undertones (derived from the paneling) that we had to try to blend with some grey ones (from the rest of the house).

kiki_thinking: I think your wall will turn out just fine. We did a little paint washing on the most offensive rocks, but we also had lava rock in the mix that there was no other fix for.

It was messy and cost a whole lot more than expected to fix that wall of rock. After tear down, we were left with a pile of bricks.
amykath
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow!!!! Now that is a transformation!!! Gorgeous!!
jterrilynn
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Great job! Well my fireplace is ten times uglier than your original. I was thinking of keeping the stone lower half...but now I'm not so sure. I'll have to show husband this transformation.
Gooster
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks arktillery, jterrilynn.

jterrilynn: I recall your fireplace from the drum shade thread. We proceeded in two phases; the rock extended all the way along the south wall at one point. If you do not like your rock, it would be better just to get rid of it all at once, since you will have a contractor, drywall people and other trades.
birdgardner
10 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I thought Lava Lamp when I read Lava Rock - now that would be something to out-60 the 60s - a giant Lava fireplace with red bubbles rising like jellyfish in an aquarium.

Was: Paneled ceiling/walls, Lava Rock FP, Now Lightened Up

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