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Home Decorating Design Dilemma

Painting above fireplace?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We are remodeling our kitchen so making other updates to adjacent family room (Please excuse toys on the floor 🙈). We just put in shutters. We are staining floors a bit darker, repainting walls (rust color war will be SW dovetail and adjacent walls will be SW repose gray). I’m going to put an area rug. Thinking of a painting to bring in some color above fireplace? I tend to like abstract art. Or do another mirror? Thoughts??

Featured Answer

Olychick

3 years ago

Because of the limited size and shape of the wall showing above the fireplace, I might hang or lean 3 square pieces of art there. I think it would look less like something was kind of squished into the space than one large piece might.

or maybe layer some art there. These aren't so colorful, but you get the idea:

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Comments (15)

prbetsi75
Original Author
3 years ago
I really love this painting but the height would bring it to the very top leaving no space under molding.
prbetsi75
Original Author
3 years ago
Or starburst mirror? but then no color

starburst mirror
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salonva
3 years ago
Not sure about dimensions of the pieces but I definitely think the abstract art would be better than a mirror. I personally don't prefer abstract, but the 2 you shared look lovely and would be wonderful in the room.(given proposed wall color).
prbetsi75 thanked salonva
prbetsi75
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you!
jck910
3 years ago
Definitely go with art over the FP. That mirror is too high and only reflects a vent. Usually the recommendation for art over FP is the size of the fire box but looks like you don't have the ceiling height for something that size. Look for art the same height as the mirror but a little less wide.

Also I would paint all the walls the same color. The FP wall is too broken up with windows, etc to be an accent color
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
3 years ago
I vote for wall art.
decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
Art and keep it no wider than the firebox opening below the mantel. Even with the top of the windows would be preferable (just about where the mirror and frame meet at the top.
ptreckel
3 years ago
Before looking for art, I would find a rug that you like to ground the space (after painting). Then...art. No mirrors. You need color, drawn from your rug, above your mantle. As tall but two thirds as wide as your mirror. Centered. (Check Art.com or Greatbigcanvas.com) Then coordinating pillows for your couch. Is that a coffee table? It might be replaced with something lighter in color. With little ones, glass isn’t probably a good choice. But something that is less solid and that will permit your new rug to shine. Good luck!
PRO
ACT ONE DESIGNS
3 years ago
A little inspiration. I would add a vase in front of your painting on the mantel to give another shape on that wall.
prbetsi75 thanked ACT ONE DESIGNS
V K
3 years ago
I agree - art, not mirror.
prbetsi75
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thank you @ACT ONE DESIGNS! So you're not opposed to having the fireplace wall a bit darker than side walls?? And where is that painting from?
prbetsi75
Original Author
3 years ago
@Olychick, great idea about the layering.
PRO
ACT ONE DESIGNS
3 years ago
No, I'm not opposed to a darker wall. It anchors the fireplace. The painting is by Uttermost on HOUZZ. Here's the link:

https://www.houzz.com/products/abstract-bronze-brown-black-oversize-58-painting-thin-frame-earth-tones-white-prvw-vr~107063755
prbetsi75 thanked ACT ONE DESIGNS
acm
3 years ago
(you didn't ask, but I don't see any design benefit to the darker fireplace wall.)

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