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Home Decorating Design Dilemma Fireplaces

need help updating/brightening fireplace/mantle

4 years ago

I'm looking for help/guidance on updating the fireplace area of my living room on a budget. Would really like to brighten the space up. We have Saltillo tile which I'm not a huge fan of but we're not ready to tear it up yet, so I'm trying to decorate in way that is cozy, matches the Saltillo tile but could also transition with wood floors when we get there. Open for suggestions on the corner as well with the chair, lamp, and watercolor of St. Peter's Basilica. I'm also not sure what to do with the empty space next to the fire place on the left.

Featured Answer

PRO

Beth H. :

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I'd start by removing that behemoth white mantle. it's the wrong size and style for that fireplace. And it's blocks the light from above. That brick is flush w/the wall (who did that?) so it's not supposed to have a mantle like that.

much better. and remove the mirror since it doesn't reflect anything interesting. get some other art if you like.

I took the mantle from the pic below, covered your mirror/mantle, and photoshopped.

you could try something like this though...all the way across (i see it's already been posted!)

this is what you need. all the way across, solid wood, not too deep.

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Comments (14)

Lala
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
From what I can see, your rug ties in nicely with the tile and brick.

The mantel seems out of place in both color and size. I don't see any other white (baseboards, crown molding, window trim) in the room. A longer (stained?) mantel would help balance out the asymmetry.
suezbell
4 years ago
Consider painting the wall above the brick as an accent wall with your favorite bold color.
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The two looks you posted are very family room casual - is that where you are going? The mantel you have is pretty formal in design, so I am wondering if your decor and the rest of the woodwork in the space are equally formal? I don't see either one of those working in a more formal space. A wonderful textural slate could be terrific, though.
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I'm loving all your ideas. Keep them coming! Eventually we could add a cap to the fireplace mantle (we have to finish our upstairs bathroom and library first). LOL! My chorus. Yes, it *is*. I hate the fake plants too and I just took them off. Copper trays and pottery. I'll go digging. Les, the sign used to travel back and forth between my BIL and us. Every time he needed money, he'd let us have the sign until he paid us back. Last time (many years ago) he decided he just wanted us to keep it. Well, there are two signs. One is in our bedroom and it's really nice too. The fireplace had a mirror when we moved here but we took it down. It's upstairs in a large closet now. Maybe that was a mistake. LOL! Maybe I should drop the sign down closer to the fireplace? Our ceilings are high, I think 11' but the fireplace is huge. So is the sign. Making the sign a theme for the fireplace? Interesting idea. As far as moving the sign, the problem is there are no other walls big enough and my DH loves it. Maybe when the wallpaper is gone, it may fit better. If I did a box in the center, it would have to be a pretty big box or it will disappear, don't you think? (Think 8' wide. That is what the mantle measures.) I just left my post to fix my mantle and now my entire living room is destroyed. My mantle looks no better yet but the fake plants are gone. LOL! I'm moving around stuff.
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I know you said that you aren't changing the carpet, but might you consider it? Only because, I'm assuming that is a gas fireplace, there is no need for a large tile area in front. You can go for a narrow hearth or no hearth. If you wanted to do that, unless you have a large scrap or can match it, you're stuck with the large hearth. I like the idea of doing built-ins. As they would be asymmetrical anyway due to window placement, you may just want to build in on the right to accommodate TV and components and leave the left side as is. Not that I'm suggesting this style, but just to illustrate a tv next to fireplace built in, one side only. Something like this might work for you, but without the overmantel. Note that this tile surround is very similar to your hearth tile. If you like that look, you could get more tile, perhaps and then tie it together that way. [Eclectic Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2104) by Shallotte Fireplaces COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
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A good contractor/remodeler should be able to design & build a mantle for you. My husband (a contractor) does these jobs all the time. Thing is, a lot of GOOD contractors (except my hubby of course) rejects these small jobs. I DO think you need a beefier mantle for sure. And, on a design note, I would paint the backs of the bookshelves & perhaps add doors to the bottoms (that contractor/remodeler would be able to match the bookcase wood perfectly) You may also look at people listed under "cabinet makers" or "woodworkers". ~Jeana
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suezbell
4 years ago
For the right side of the accent wall above the brick ... what is your hobby, personal interest, joy?

music?

https://www.google.com/search?q=pressed+metal+wall+art+music&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiNyPf1spjnAhUEd98KHezvDYUQsxh6BAgMECs&biw=1366&bih=628#spd=17590966250285269607&spf=1579737015076

sailing?

https://www.touchofclass.com/sunset-paradise-tropical-wall-art-multi-metallic/p/N180-001/?code=YMF03&color=Multi%20Metallic&size=&tid=YMFPLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpbu9rbOY5wIVip-fCh1W8QtZEAQYAyABEgIdO_D_BwE

hiking in the forests

https://www.touchofclass.com/whispering-pines-metal-wall-sculpture/p/G774-001/?code=YMF03&color=&size=&tid=YMFPLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk_KK5LOY5wIVSD0MCh2V3wH3EAQYBSABEgJ9DPD_BwE

camping in the forest?

https://www.blackforestdecor.com/mountain-forest-metal-wall-art.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk_KK5LOY5wIVSD0MCh2V3wH3EAQYBCABEgKobPD_BwE

farming?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/659685098/custom-farm-scene-metal-art?gpla=1&gao=1&utm_campaign=shopping_us_UntamedMetalArt_sfc_osa&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_custom1=0&utm_content=18854980&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_azizLSY5wIVBrbICh0BfA1QEAQYAiABEgI-uvD_BwE

flowers?

https://www.touchofclass.com/le-fleurs-rose-spray-wall-art-red-set-of-two/p/A455-001/?code=YMF03&color=Red&size=Set%20of%20Two&tid=YMFPLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItcPfsrWY5wIVBaSzCh1Pzg1REAQYASABEgLLZ_D_BwE

Leave the wall blank until you find the image that makes you smile.
Kayla Basye
Original Author
4 years ago
i like the idea of painting, my biggest worry here though is that the room doesn't get a ton of natural light and I really don't want to do anything to make it darker. Also appreciate the thought on the mantle, i think that would definitely help with the symmetry.
chocolatebunny123
4 years ago
Not a pro. I really like the picture that LALA and Beth posted, even the decor on the mantle.
0
Kayla Basye
Original Author
4 years ago
ahh the house was built in 1970 and i think the brick is from that, we just bought the house in June and the previous owners added the huge white mantle, i'm still trying to understand why anyone would cover the house in saltillo tile in north Texas. would also love any thoughts on type of chair or lamp/anything to accompany the corner by the tv and fireplace
deborahhines
4 years ago
Start saving money now for saltillo tile replacement--big, big bucks just to take it out. In my area it costs about $8 per square foot to remove, ouch.
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housegal200
4 years ago
Saltillo tile is Texas! Make the most of it. Get a great skyscape art work in warm tones for over a new chunky wood mantel that goes all the way across as Beth suggested.
"Dawn" By Maurice Sapiro, Original · More Info

A leather corner chair with southwestern colors would look great by the fireplace.

Jonas Ihreborn Seventy Armchair, Vintage Cognac, Beige Canvas · More Info

Put some chunky wood logs in the fireplace if it's wood burning and a big basket of logs on the hearth. With a single, dramatic art work, take off all the bitsy pieces on the walls and mantel.
Metal and Wood Basket, Round · More Info
deborahhines
4 years ago
Ditto what housegal200 said, rejoice that you have a very cool, long-lasting floor.
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calidesign
4 years ago
I would replace the mantle with a simple one that extends to the wall, and place a tall plant on the floor to the left of the fireplace.
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PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
0
suezbell
4 years ago
Pleasant looking room.

You might experiment with different colored bulbs for your ceiling/spotlight and find a light that could be more of a whole room light than either your spotlight or ceiling fan without being s glaringly bright when you don't need that much light.

There are floor lamps with two lights -- one lights up the ceiling (conversation lighting) and the other is flexible/adjustable (reading light). Using less intense indirect lighting instead of the spotlight or overhead light could give your room a more relaxed and comfortable vibe.

https://www.amazon.com/Floor-Lamp-Light-Accents-Torchiere/dp/B0085NX9B6
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suezbell
4 years ago
Is there a doorway left of your light switch left of your fireplace? Have you considered shallow shelving left of the fireplace in lieu of two small framed pieces -- or with the two small framed pieces hung left of the shelving, depending on size/spacing.

https://www.birchlane.com/living/pdp/massena-ladder-bookcase-b000026283.html
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