2 story fireplace make over. Stone or clean lines? Poll
Anna MB
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you for your opinions on the 2 story fireplace makeover currently in progress. This is our living room fireplace ready for a face lift. I always appreciate the perspectives here . Thank you so much!
(The fan will also be replaced) .
Stone 12-14 foot fireplace
Clean lines with trim wood. ( I do not have funds to build side cabinets, but plan on adding tall mirrors possibly. There is little depth room in my space.
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Comments (13)
Anna MB
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Tell me why I should build a 2 story?
Comments (57)As I said before, its not about finishes in the basement; its about living underneath the rest of the family. Using the first floor spaces for daytime gathering, the second floor for private sleeping and the lowest level for utility is a centuries old tradition and it still works well. I don't agree that a basement is cheap space that can be cheaply finished. A walk-out basement usually provides windows on only one side unless you build expensive areaways for additional windows. The concrete floor will require serious insulation and sleepers for a wood floor as comfortable as the upper floor bedrooms. The basement floor will probably need to be a foot lower to allow an 8 ft ceiling height with utilities above it requiring additional excavation, concrete and taller forms. The ceiling will need additional sound treatment if he intends to study in his room. If your son is in the basement he will also have his own private entrance with less security. I realize most people don't worry about such things but the world now comes unfiltered into our children's lives on their phones and computers and its smart to think more defensively. I have 2 boys and a girl 32, 30 and 23 respectively. As children they each experienced the world differently as it rapidly changed. My wife and I saw an ad for fast broadband service where a mother said "we love the speed because we have so little time to spend as a family." We both started laughing. If you want to spend more time as a family it would be wise to start with turning the TV and computers off and designing your house so it doesn't feel like a fraternity or a tavern like the ones so often posted on this forum. I realize you haven't designed your house yet but when looking for the best arrangement for family spaces do it with family interaction in mind first and all the other considerations second. Apartments are for efficient living; houses are for raising families....See MoreFloor Plan Update - Hubby wants a 2-story, but I hate stairs...
Comments (16)I'm a dissenter. This plan is NOT functional. You've got too much wasted space, and too much walking around. You can function better in a much smaller house if all the walkways are cut short. If I were you, I would find another plan and adjust it. -stairs going straight up are a pain for someone who doesn't like stairs. In your previous plans you had those nice split stairs with a landing in between( much better for going up). -why don't you find a plan where the garage is closer to the kitchen? Perhaps, in front of the kitchen?You have quite a walk from the garage to the kitchen. -The washer/dryer. Trust me, you don't want a long dryer vent. -Although pretty, corner FP is a beotch to decorate with furniture; it limits your options if you get tired of the same furniture placement, or if you want a sectional couch etc....That's what I have now and I would NEVER dot it again. -I would find a plan with a Great Room having some kind of a wall where the TV can be placed so that the people sitting in the GR are FACING the kitchen, too, so you can talk to your family while cooking. Plan with "options" to move your furniture around. Placing a TV on top of an FP is wonderful, but the warranty is null and void if it gets overheated from the FP. It may be too high if any of you ever have a neck injury. -I would put a PANTRY in the corner of the kitchen and squeeze in a closet into the room in the front, and move the door closer to the entry (if you go with this plan). Typically corners in the kitchen are kind of a waste, and corner counters are pricey because they take up a lot of space, so if you can place a pantry in a corner with a pretty door, it enhances your kitchen. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I find that many times people mean well and go along with you without pointing out the "obvious" problems. If you've read my previous posts, you know that I've had 5 homes built in my life...and found mistakes after the fact. The architects went along to get along ;) Take your time finding a plan close to your needs. Building a house depends your YOUR lifestyle and personality. I'm always in a hurry, I like things close at hand, and choose function over form....See Morefireplace update picture story... almost done
Comments (38)Okay, all done! I have no idea why I hesitated on doing the hearth. I think it looks fine. It's off a speck in tone. It was a little challenging getting it to match the top part. Should have done it all once in the same session. The bricks were different texture so it went on differently and looks a bit different, but it blends fine in the room. I'm very pleased with the whole thing. Now onto the bathroom... I uploaded some rather sad whole-room pics on the website too. They are at the end of the album. Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace Update Album...See More2nd story flooring advice/opinion needed
Comments (13)Beth is correct re: resale value in 20-30 years time. A 'flip' is sen to happen inside of 5 years (2-5 years and then you are OUT). That's when you pay attention to trends. A long-term floor is one you live with for 10+ years. At that point you IGNORE the trends and resale and pick what YOU WANT. Living with a floor for 10 years while HATING IT is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. It's like buying the most uncomfortable mattress for $30K and not being able to sleep for 20+ years. With your time line, you want to purchase and install something that works for you, your life style and your expectations. The 'look' of something is only valuable to you. In 20 years your Realtor will tell you to rip out all the floor OR offer a flooring discount to the next seller. That's the type of "Fashion Time Line" we are talking about here....See MoreAnna MB
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
The article you sent, Butternut , is really making me think that it should "match the kitchen". I have this fireplace in my kitchen!! I do like the brick there, but ..... not sure for the living room. Thank you for allowing me to re-think before wasting money.
I have not seen a full 2 story fireplace that I much care for .
K R
5 years agoAnna MB
5 years agoAnna MB
5 years ago
athomeeileen
5 years agoHere's my before and after. The small fireplace is in the kitchen. I agree the really tall fireplace is hard, I still wish there was an in between alternative. Or that the ceiling was lower.
Anna MB thanked athomeeileen
thinkdesignlive
5 years agoAnna MB
5 years ago
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