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Fireplaces Home Decorating Design Dilemma

stain or paint or mix for fireplace built-in

3 years ago

I need to make a decision soon but am not sure my idea will work or not. I originally wanted to make the shelves around the fireplace on top a light stained wood. The bottom shelves will have doors and I was going to paint those white. The mantel will be white too. We will have light wood beams on the ceiling so I was trying to bring some matching wood to the fireplace surround but keep the focus on the ceiling. I am afraid it might look odd to just have just the shelves wood.

We could stain it all, paint it all or do the combo.
Floors will be Special Walnut darkened. I don't want the shelves that dark though.

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Comments (12)

Theresa Janssen
3 years ago
IMO if you want the beams to be noticed, the built in should be white. see photos below. I wouldnt do two things for the built ins. either all stain or all paint. I would also keep walls very light and neutral so the beams maintain the focus.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMo some of this decision will depend on what is going on the shelves so maybe share that too.
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msrose the product i used on the fireplace is called DAP All-Purpose Stucco Patch. It's in a red, black and white container. My husband had it in the garage from our old house which was stucco on the outside. It is in a 32oz container. I have no idea if it comes in larger sizes. It's very thick. I actually rubbed it on with my hands and wiped it off. Very messy technique. I wouldn't recommend it. But, I didn't want it really thick. Wanted some of the brick to show. The other reason I did it by hand was because of the grout lines. I felt like i had to rub it in there really good. There is probably an easier way but as thick as that stuff was, I don't know. I just did it on a whim. I am no professional (LOL) for sure (Im in the IT business, definitely not a decorator). I then painted over it with really watered down flat paint to tint it off white. Hope this helps. Sorry I don't know any more about it. Some of the pros on here may be able to add some suggestions to this. I am so glad i did it! I have gotten a lot of compliments on it in person. Here are some additional pictures below. The floor brick you can see in the 2nd one is what it looked like before I put the stucco on it.
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Comments (3)
Yes, if you paint the wall (the paneling) the same colors, top and bottom and paint the chair rail that color also, it will make it all joint together and disappear sotaspeak. Then paint the doors the white color as your other white in-house. You can paint the kick molding (shoe molding) or you can leave it the same color as your (dentil work, etc) molding at the top. In fact, I think I would paint the room the same color, yellow, green, gold, whatever, and then paint the doors like the other white trim in your house. Leave the shoe and quarter-round molding in the stain color and leave the stain at the top. I have seen this done before and it looks good. Then you have the white colors which connect to your foyer, your main color and only the color of the molding as a third color. Your room will look united and larger, more open. Another trick is to line paneling with cheap wallpaper and paint over it. They used to sell what is called wallpaper lining for that specific purpose, to hide the "creases/dents" in your paneling but most people do not mind them (I don't). But, if you do, you can spackle or grout them, whatever it is called, or you can just buy cheap-as-dirt wallpaper to put over the paneling and paint that.
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Have you had your built-ins painted or stained? please advice.
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Comments (39)
Agree the entire thing feels heavy and massive for the look you want. I think the best thing for you to consider, is a skilled interior designer in your area. A clear idea of what you want in a feel for the house. Do some very significant research on both, knowing that a good designer will have the trades necessary at her finger tips. A "community" of ideas here, can get you thinking to be sure, but in the end, you will benefit greatly from a one on one situation.. Consider every aspect, such as do you even want the bar area, or do you need something else? Even dedicated wine storage or something? Your best plan, is a PLAN with one on one help. Take your time, and do your homework. Start with that "inspiration" idea book. And the PRO on site. To design and decorate in haste, is to REPENT at leisure : ) Do it once to love it.
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Comments (3)
You could try dyebrick.com. It is brick/masonry stain. Try on a sample of similar color brick first, though; it only comes off with a powerwash! Assuming of course that you want to keep it....you could also remove the brick and replace with something different. We have done that before, it was very messy but not difficult. If you decide to do that, do it Before you move furniture into the room...
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kdo
Original Author
3 years ago
some books and sculptural objects
kdo
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks, I'm leaning towards white. What do you think of keeping the insides wood?
Theresa Janssen
3 years ago
generally i wouldnt mix, even the inside. now, if all the objects you put on the shelves will be white, then I would say you could, but i would probably make the entire thing wood stain then. if you want to have both, maybe have the mantel wood and the built in part all white.
houssaon
3 years ago
I agree all white!
Design Girl
3 years ago
all white
calidesign
3 years ago
All white. You will have enough wood once your floors are stained.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
3 years ago
kdo
Original Author
3 years ago
good point about the floors. Thanks everyone.
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
all white w/wood mantle. they did shiplap on the top portion

white painted shelving and wall above.

black shiplap all above the white portion would look amazing w/the dark floors

or just try painting it black, everything else white

Or, try something like this

another option would be to do all white, but paint the back panel of the shelves in black

or a gray

or try a cool wallpaper

or do them all in black
kdo
Original Author
3 years ago
love the blue!

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