Would you place seating in front of this fireplace?

9 years ago

Hi all; would appreciate some feedback on this kitchen fireplace. Note the stairs to the right of fireplace as well as entrance from hall. I'd like to create a cozy spot for sitting, but concerned about a) impeding traffic flow, and b) keeping seating small but welcoming and functional. We are also not loving the fireplace itself.....we'd like to make it look more rustic and have even thought of integrating a pizza oven above the fireplace proper, if such a thing could even be done. The home is french country/manor. We just bought this home and so all furniture/decor is not mine. Many thanks. Kim

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PRO

Kestrel Shutters & Doors

9 years ago

What about having a small comfy chair or two where that hutch is and the bin for firewood. Then if the fireplace is lit and someone wants to sit near it they can pull the chairs closer so that it only affect traffic at those times.

If you have pets maybe something for them to doze on during the day. I know our cats love to hang out in front of our fireplace when we have it lit.

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Comments (40)

PRO
Dytecture
9 years ago
Perhaps just one chair where the hutch is and move the hutch a bit towards the eating area.
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PRO
Johanne Blansche Designs
9 years ago
It's not really in the best place to have seating near it. Maybe just keep it as an area where you can create an interesting vignette. Try putting a larger piece of art over the mantle as a first steo.
Kim C
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you. Yes, definitely a nice piece of art over the fireplace; I guess that'll be the starting point and we'll decide about furniture once we move in.
PRO
Johanne Blansche Designs
9 years ago
Make sure to post some photos to show it to us once you move in.
lefty47
9 years ago
HI -- I see the island is also angled . I think if the island was straightened out then seating could be made better for the fireplace . Angled fireplaces usually cause placement problems in rooms . You may have to re-do the whole fireplace to get a pizza oven and if so , then take the opportunity to fix the position to not have things set at angles .
partim
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'd put this settle where the hutch is.
http://www.missionstudio.com/Images/Furniture-Large/Mission-Spindle-Settle/Mission-Settle.jpg
Darzy
9 years ago
If you did a very tight seating like this it could work in front of the fireplace...
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pcmom1
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Start scooting furniture and borrowing pieces from other rooms to see how it might work.
You are so lucky to have a feature like this!
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pcmom1
9 years ago
Would a small round dining table fit in front of the fireplace? Then put a sitting area where table is in the photo.
Kim C
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for all the ideas. To the poster who suggested changing the angle of the island....I had completely forgotten to mention that we are planning on putting that island back on the 90.....you should consider a second career as a psychic!

I will post photos of whatever it is I decide to do with that space.

Thanks again.
n247080
9 years ago
What an interesting fireplace! I'd make it into a reading corner with a lamp and a big cushy chair in the corner. Leave the mantle empty and put a much larger piece of art on the wall over the fireplace. I'd also replace the china cabinet, it seems wrong for the room. Perhaps replace it with built in shelving over the portion of the wall that juts out instead.
Kim C
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi all!

Well, we moved into this beautiful pacific NW home and I just now have found some time to play around with some furniture.

I bought this little distressed leather low profile chair and this crazy little "tent stool" at a steam-punk store I happened upon today.....I'm "trying it on" next to the fireplace (ledge wall has been removed, and hutch has been taken by previous owners!).

Any thoughts or feedback on this little fireside seating area, before I take off the price tags? I have looked at it so hard today that I can't even tell whether I like it anymore or not.

We are buying a new dining room table and chairs, so the ones seen here will be gone soon......with who knows what.

And I still need that big piece of art over the fireplace!!

Many thanks,

Kim
Kim C
Original Author
9 years ago
p.s.

Meant to ask if anyone had any better ideas for a table......round be better? Round lampshade? There just seems to be so many "angles" in this corner (pardon the pun). Maybe I've just shifted into "overthinking" mode.......
pcmom1
9 years ago
Oh, I am not crazy about the little seating area there. It looks small and sort of out of place. I would do whatever changes you are going to do with the dining room furniture first before adding anything to the other area.
Stacey
9 years ago
On the long wall behind the table, I'm thinking a built in window seat maybe with bookcases on each side. A nice comfortable padded seat with lots of pillows and sconces for reading.
pcmom1
9 years ago
I just noticed that the walls are different from the first photo you posted. The ones with the Christmas stockings show a long ledge which is now gone?
Kim C
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, the ledge on that wall was taken out. I intend to put a buffet/sideboard on that wall, tho that won't take up more than 3-4' of wall space. I just can't figure out how/if I can make a small fireplace seating spot in the kitchen or not.......there's a lot of space, but I can't seem to fill it the "right way".

Thanks for the suggestions.

I am looking at the pictures anew today and have decided this is not going to work. Back to the drawing board.....
pcmom1
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I can see painting the fireplace wall to make it stand out more, and adding a great art piece above it. That, with the sideboard and a display above it,....well, I am thinking you probably won't need anything by the fireplace.

Can you post us more pictures showing the dining room and kitchen so we can see how everything relates? Show us the entire dining room, please.

If you really want a spot to warm by the fire, maybe a simple rocker. Looks like your style is sort of country?
pcmom1
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I see that you are trying out your dining table in different directions. Good! I am wondering if there is room to push it down, more out of the space we see. Then, if you want a sitting area near the fireplace there will be more room.

Reason there is never enough photos posted!

Idea for dining table close to wall and fireplace:

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pcmom1
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If dining table moved farther away, then a couple of smallish chairs in front of fireplace.
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pcmom1
9 years ago
Thought I would post one more. Found this under "keeping room". You mentioned a round table. Put further away from fp it leaves more room for a sitting area near the fp.
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Destiny Ferguson
9 years ago
no
Kim C
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions and ideas. Here's some additional photos for those helpful folks who were asking.....
acm
9 years ago
How about a low padded bench? Not much intrusion into the room, but looks cozy and is a good place to huddle if the fireplace is on...
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yvonnecmartin
9 years ago
I liked the idea of a chair and lamp beside the fireplace. It would be really handy for browsing the mail or a cookbook as the water for spaghetti heat up (or the bread bakes). However, the ones that you chose weren't right. First, the chair should have arms to facilitate reading. While I'd prefer a rocking chair, others might want an ottoman as well. I'd keep it as small scale as you can--a Shaker rocker, for example.
pcmom1
9 years ago
Can you post one more photo showing the area around the other side of the bar? I was thinking there might be room for the dining table there, but guessing not!
pcmom1
9 years ago
How many folks do you need to sit at the table on a daily basis? If four, you could go with a round table towards the bay window.
pcmom1
9 years ago
I spy a dog bed. Bet your pooch would vote for a great looking bed by the fireplace.
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Destiny Ferguson
9 years ago
it might start on fire
pcmom1
9 years ago
That would be a bad thing!
Kim C
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for all the feedback. I returned the chair and table. I put that little tent stool to the side of the fireplace. I am going to keep my eye out for a little bench that could work for that space. It's an awkward spot......too much room to leave empty, but too much into traffic flow to put anything there that will work and not look like it was just left there. Grrrrrr.......
pcmom1
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
There are a lot of different sizes and styles of benches that wouldn't take up much space, physically or visually. You could face it toward the fireplace or kitchen, just depending. Also use it for extra seating at the dining table. Ones with a back are more comfy.
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Jean Benelli
8 years ago
I think a nice seating area by the fireplace can work. The trouble with the grouping you posted with the round foot stool is scale. Because everything is the same scale the area looks spotty. Perhaps a small wing back chair or a Martha Washington chair will work better. Also a lighter upholstery fabric will look better. Would you like a wedgewood blue print?
Jean Benelli
8 years ago

Either of these chairs will work next to the fireplace with your small table.
btydrvn
8 years ago
Funny ...the first thing I thought was pizza oven!...it already sort of looks like one....with a built out ledge added to sit hot pies and stuff ..at just about counter height ....since I discovered the world of homemade pizza we never get delivery...so easy as a meal and no mess like cooking...that being said the fireplace ...as is...(or even as a concept) never gets enough use in today's busy lifestyles...
btydrvn
8 years ago
After looking you have a built-in natural spot to add sort of booth bench seating along the wall where the ledge is...using that for the basis of a nice ...farm table dining/ work table ....area adjoining the fire place...
Kayla Johnson
8 years ago
Maybe two small cushion chairs
btydrvn
8 years ago
Missed all the posts...got so excited about the pizza oven and voila you already have the perfect table...the additional pics also offer that the table and the bar seating are very close as well ..moving it over to wall seating may make the room feel much more open and spacious...Allowing you to do something in the way of window seating at the other end by the Windows...really do think all the effort to turn the tiny fireplace into a seating area is a tough one
decoenthusiaste
8 years ago
I think your pizza oven idea is the best way to make this fireplace feel like it is part of the room.