What should I do with this fireplace
tricia676
4 years ago
I’m going to have a gas insert installed in my fireplace, but I can’t decide what to do about the mismatched tile and mantel
I rather like the warmth of the tile, which looks to be original to my 1920s colonial. At the same time, i also like the concept of the white mantel because all of the molding, doors and trim in my house is white and this room is small.
Together, unfortunately, they clash, and the Greek columns are ridiculous for the simple style of the room.
Should I paint something, replace the mantel, or somehow cover up the Greek detail that I find so repellent?
The wall is yellower here than in real life, and it may not stay this shade for long. I’m planning on an oil-rubbed bronze gas fireplace insert, and I want to replace the mirror with a less fussy style or with art.
Thanks for any guidance!
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
Related Discussions
What should I do with this fireplace tile?
Comments (8)From what I see in the photo, I don't think I would paint the fireplace wall an accent color. It draws the eye to a tile that you're trying to camouflage and makes the narrow, angled wall a stand-out. I'm not sure what color to paint it but I would experiment with dark gray, a darker shade of your wall color or the black. Also, before painting, determine if you want the grout lines painted the same color of if you want them to stand out as grout lines. Semi-gloss is recommended on other DIY sites, but I think whether you choose satin or semi comes down to personal preference....See MoreNew house - advice needed! (Front porch, fireplace, built-ins)
Comments (14)Really nice house. You could remove (but not discard) the existing mantel and live a while without, taking the time to consider all your fireplace options, including a more bulky but less wide mantel that is a part of a fireplace surround. (The current mantel could be reused as support for shelving or a new mantel.) Would not paint or widen the existing built ins Would not paint the wood around the cased door opening to the entry unless you do decide to put white (or wall colored) built ins on that wall incorporating the tv behind where the floor lamp now stands (third pic). If you do keep the built ins beside the fireplace their current wood look, then definitely leave the baseboard the treated wood to match the built ins. If you paint the current built ins white, then paint the window trim white, too; however, otherwise, if the current built ins are going to stay wood as is, you could decide to paint the window trim white only if you're not going to add drapes that would cover most of the window frame anyway. Would definitely paint the trim at the top of the wall the wall color since ceiling white could visually shrink the height of the room. As you consider wall colors, in addition to considering blue or gray, you might consider a wall color that is a tan (but without pink or yellow hue) such as the lightest color in the stone in the fireplace -- and keep the ceiling white. If you paint the new built-ins surrounding the tv either white or a light wall color, you should seriously consider updating the ceiling fan with one that is silver metal and tinted semi-clear plastic/vinyl blades. As to the front porch, does any part of the floor of the existing stoop extend beyond the front wall of the house or do the steps start as you walk out the door (as the sloped rails suggest)? Something you might consider is building a treated lumber deck over the steps from the front wall of the house to the sidewalk from a point midway between the door to the right front corner of the house, with wooden steps leading from the side of that deck to the sidewalk and having it built with posts extending above the deck for the railing and to build to in order to add a porch roof later....See MoreWhat should I do to this enormous floor to ceiling 3 sided fireplace?
Comments (32)Hope finding the brick above gives you a little peace of mind. Years ago, (dating myself) we had an oval shaped cast iron wood burning heater downstairs and a metal shelf hung between rafters in the ceiling to hold brick above the ceiling and thru the roof. The triple walled pipe attached to the back of the heater took the smoke from the heater to the brick. Covering that heater and pipe with the least possible brick or stone -- least possible expense -- would likely have resulted in a triangle shaped chimney. That is why I suspected you may find a wood burning stove or fireplace insert and some triple walled metal pipe beneath the stone -- but you may not be able to know for sure unless/until the stone is removed. Even if you eventually discover you don't like the look of the brick behind the stone downstairs much or any better than the current uneven stone, it would be easier to clad "straight/smooth" brick with something you do like than to try to alter the current stone. Also, without the stone adding to the size of the fireplace, it is likely there would be less of the floor to redo to match your new flooring. Looking forward to the "after" pics when you make your home/fireplace what you want it to be....See MoreWhat should I do with my walls and fireplace?
Comments (4)If you can take out the mirrors, do so. Paint the woodwork (semi-gloss) to match the walls (matte) and match (or complement) to whatever lime wash shade you’ll use on the bricks. What direction do the windows face? Is the sun very strong through the windows — will you use drapes? You could either go dark or keep it light — depends on when you use it the most....See More
PROSabrina Alfin Interiors
4 years agoIf the tile is a matte finish, whitewash the tile so there's less of a contrast between it and the mantle. I think what's happening here is the small-scale tile grout lines are creating too graphic a pattern which competes with the vertical linear look of the mantle uprights. Alternatively, replace the mantle with simpler millwork. See below for examples:
Palmetto Bluff Cottages · More Info
Living Room · More Infotricia676 thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
tricia676
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago- PRO
Hansen Wholesale
4 years ago
Related Stories
FUN HOUZZEverything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey
Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNSingle-Wall Galley Kitchens Catch the 'I'
I-shape kitchen layouts take a streamlined, flexible approach and can be easy on the wallet too
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESDesign Dilemma: How Do I Modernize My Cedar Walls?
8 Ways to Give Wood Walls a More Contemporary Look
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESDesign Dilemma: I Need Lake House Decor Ideas!
How to Update a Lake House With Wood, Views, and Just Enough Accessories
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESThe Dumbest Decorating Decisions I’ve Ever Made
Caution: Do not try these at home
Full Story
MATERIALSPro Panel: ‘The Material I Love to Work With Most’
7 experts weigh in on their favorite materials for walls, flooring, siding and counters
Full Story
EXTERIORSHelp! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?
Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors
Full Story
I Spy: Musical Instruments Around the House
Compose a Great Space With the Shapes and Promise of Music
Full Story
jay06