skip to main content

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.

Sort by:Oldest

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.
Related Discussions
My fireplace mantle needs your help. Picture
Q
Comments (12)
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.
...See More
Need a new fireplace mantle, help, please
Q
Comments (8)
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
...See More
I need help picking pieces for this fireplace mantle
Q
Comments (15)
None of these mantels shown in previous examples will work as depicted because your mantel will be much higher due to the way the fireplace is designed. So I do not see being able to use a mantel as an option. Cover it all with stone floor to ceiling like the example below: This mockup shows your existing stone floor to ceiling, which you probably won't be able to match. So you may need to remove all the stone and start over. But you can cover the black metal box more like you see here. Any mantle would likely need to be about 12" above that top vent to meet code, which is just too high for a mantel. The current mantel is not designed properly and appears to be a stock size shelf someone just hung. It is also likely not up to code. If you could use a mantel, it should wrap around the fireplace. But again, it will be too high.
...See More
Looking to update this mantle & paint fireplace brick. Suggestions?
Q
Comments (30)
What? Faux wood tile as a hearth? The brick is still way too busy, and. The faux wood is worse. Paint the brick so the grout lines disappear.
...See More
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.
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.
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.
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.
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
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
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

Related Stories

DIY Projects: Updating Your Fireplace

LIVING ROOMS 8 Reasons to Nix Your Fireplace (Yes, for Real)

By Laura Gaskill

Dare you consider trading that 'coveted' design feature for something you'll actually use? This logic can help

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Family-Friendly Updates in Massachusetts

By Design Fixation [Faith Provencher]

Newly painted walls, renovated bathrooms and classic New England style brighten this family’s first home

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: New Windows and White Paint Brighten Things Up

A crisp neutral backdrop, built-in storage, shiplap walls and new furniture update a once-bland living room

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Bold Modern Update to a Miami Mediterranean

By Becky Harris

The contemporary home features big architectural moves, clean lines and elements designed to help a family keep kosher

RANCH HOMES Houzz Tour: Atlanta Couple Update an Inherited Midcentury Home

By Becky Harris

A designer helps homeowners make Grandpa’s house their own with a vaulted ceiling, two-tone cabinets and more

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Tour: Updating a Midcentury Aerie in the Berkeley Hills

The setting was splendid; the house, not so much. Now the two are right in line, with high quality to spare

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Sunny Update for a California Bungalow

Budget-Friendly Makeover Opens Mill Valley Home

FIREPLACES What Goes With a Redbrick Fireplace?

By Laura Gaskill

Play up or tone down your redbrick fireplace by pairing it strategically with other colors and materials

FIREPLACES 12 Hot Ideas for Fireplace Facing

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

From traditional brick to industrial steel, there’s a fireplace cladding here to light up your design

Sponsored

More Discussions

Pillows selection for a chartreuse sofa.

127

staircase runner

17

How to update mid-century furniture with modern pieces

2

Help us pick a kitchen stool.

0

Design Challenge: Transforming Living Room Space

3