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Fireplaces Design Dilemma Home Decorating

help with off center fireplace.

5 years ago

Hello!

I’m trying to find the best solution for my off center fireplace wall and furniture layout. We are having white stone added to the bottom half of the fireplace panel. I wasn’t sure if we should have that extended over the existing mantel or remove the mantel all together and have the stone from top to bottom. The mantel was added, but I’m thinking it draws more attention to the fireplace being off centered. Any help would be appreciated.

Featured Answer

PRO

Anglophilia

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Don't "remuddle" that mantle and surround. It's lovely!

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Comments (7)

houssaon
5 years ago
What a lovely space. It doesn't look off centered. You actually have to standing in front of the fireplace to notice it. I'd keep the mantle.
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I like the Instagram picture. If you're going to go asymmetrical, it has to be way off center so it looks like a design feature, not an accident. I like the look of the stone (I'm assuming you plan to remove the small brick surround you have currently). I think going floor to ceiling would actually add some visual height to the room which would be nice. If you're unsure, you could try painting the wall (and the brick surround, if its definitely going away) to emulate where you want to put stone. It would help you get the feel for what it would look like. This would let you play with proportion as well, to figure out how wide you want to go. (I think i would go more narrow that it is tall. I like the proportions you mocked up in scrap wood.)
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What is in the blue cabinet? Is it removeable or are you willing to paint it?
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Leave the mantle as is and put a tool set (or plant) at the left of the fireplace, as @palimpsest suggested. You could even mount a fireplace set on the wall using hooks or some other arrangement. That gets the tools off the floor and less likely to be knocked into (and knocked over). I mounted this set on our fireplace (43 years ago); I bought tools without handles and made wooden handles, then mounted them invisibly on protruding nails that I inserted into the mortar.
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I like the suggestion that Annie gave about using four chairs facing one another. This is a really cozy arrangement especially if you want to relax and converse with friends. It's not that I don't like your mantle, but it's not that French glam that you're seeking, so I'd replace it with a beautifully carved one. I'd spray paint the bar/tea cart gold and use some Rub & Buff to give it a nice vintage finish and then place between the two chairs. If you use this configuration make sure to use a 8' or 9" square rug. They're harder to fine, but they're out there.
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PRO
Fairway Style Living
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hi, Sandy--

Truthfully, the mantle does look well done, and I'm guessing the wall was framed out this way to offer a spot for fireplace tools to live either on the wall (pre-millwork) or on the hearth nearby to avoid a mess - thanks, helpful builders! Since you're not using the fireplace as such, it's totally fine to do as you are and place other items nearby. It really doesn't draw my eye, since so much of your decor is uniformly light and bright - in truth, the eye spends less time wherever there's less detail.

Accordingly, I'd consider moving that basket away and doing a flat, single-panel fireplace screen in black for an even sleeker look than your current option so the eye keeps moving and lands on your bigger focal points above and elsewhere. Cheers!
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
Your fireplace is fine, in fact the room is fine. Don't screw it up. Don't bother with the stone.
Sandy Solorio
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all for your complimentary feedback. I really appreciate it!
I’m attaching a picture of what I was thinking to do to the bottom inner part of the mantel. It would extend to replace the beige stone that’s currently there. Should I do that? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks again!
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I think the contrast between the classic FP surround and the contemporary shelves on the right is more of an issue. I'm not a fan of big box store decor, so the items you are decorating with aren't to my taste, but what probably makes it "off" to you is the fact that the coffee table isn't lined up with the firebox opening and the sofa is partially in front of the opening. You might sense better balance if you flank the FP with the two chairs and place the sofa where you have the floor mirror, centering it and the coffee table with the firebox. If you remove the shelves, you could try the floor mirror on that wall instead. You don't have much walk space around the sofa right now. The chairs might do well on that side, leaving the step down entrance clear. I'd rather leave the space in front of the step clear of furniture.
tfitz1006
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Very pretty room. Maybe a little too much going on? I'd prob remove the candles in the fp and add some books to your shelves. I would love a beautiful contemporary art piece in lieu of the mirror or frame that you have on the mantel, but I would take my time finding it. I would also remove the piece by the fp with the tray.

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