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Suggestions on how to finish my chimney

6 years ago

The first picture is of how it previously looked. I started painted my fireplace brick to go with a whitewash/ white staining look you could say. Im wondering what would look best with the mantle and the big frame on top of it and also what to put in the big wood frame too. My current ideas are the paint both white and put a mirror but not sure about the mirror. I know I can improve the lighting to make a more appealing look, just not exactly sure what. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

E

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Comments (4)

ci_lantro
6 years ago
Sorry, but I think the wooden frame just looks weird. Is that a niche with a wooden back?

I would get a longer mantle to span the width of the brick and install it lower...as low as is safe to do. Then either remove the brick above the mantle (that may be an expensive proposition) or cover the brick above the mantle with drywall. That would give you a blank canvas for artwork or whatever.
Eli Sanchez
Original Author
6 years ago
By the way, the wooden frame is not over the brick. To my imagination there is no brick behind it either. It kinda sinks in a little, if you know what I mean.
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Got a pic? Is there anything preventing you from abandoning the brick run which is causing you other problems and running the flue straight up to the attic (before realigning to the external chase) via sheet metal? You are being threatened by a 100 year old bad (bad?) design trying to dictate what you do today if I read that right. Do you want the brick (maybe needing expen$ive work to be restored to safe reliable working condition?) or do you want your kitchen? A repair mason may actually suggest lining it with a metal flue. Modern sheet metal is very adaptable stuff; brick isn't. A flue made out of brick will be, what, six or seven inches thicker than one made out of a double layer of sheet metal, the flue space within being equal? Of course removing a brick structure may reveal that it's supporting something, accidentally or deliberately, that would then have to be repaired, and it would be a permanent removal. You say it's pretty but the KD wants to hide it. I think that people 100 years ago didn't think much about exposed utility brick being proper design and you may find a horrendously ugly bricklaying job under the carefully applied plastering. There's one way to find out, but removing plaster without damaging brickface often isn't easy, clean, or cheap. Looking at all that it sounds like a scolding! It's not, I swear. I wouldn't want that decision.
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ci_lantro
6 years ago
So it is recessed. I thought so. Like they were running out of bricks and didn't have enough to do the whole.

Like I said above, get a longer mantel, install it as low over the firebox as code & good sense will allow and box the brick above the mantle with drywall, covering up the wooden recess. Paint to match.
cat_ky
6 years ago
I have to agree with ci_lantro. The niche doesnt look good. The whole fireplace is too tall and narrow. It would have looked better if it were wider. Since it isnt, and since it has that goofy niche thing, I would drywall the top part too. I also agree, the mantle is too high. I am not particularly fond of your white wash, but, I do think once it is drywalled at the top, that will look fine. I have paint washed my fireplace also, but, it is an enormous fireplace and I used gray wash. I am very happy with the wash, although will never be happy with the enormous size of it. :-)

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