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Home Decorating Design Dilemma Fireplaces

Help please - fireplace/entertainment built in redesign

4 years ago

First of all, thank you for reading this and any idea you may have! We are purchasing a home and want to tear out this big built in. We want to keep the fireplace box and put a nice mantle on it.

Our idea is to center the fireplace on the wall and possibly fill in the large half circle window in the center of the room. We would hang our TV above the fireplace. We also thought about enlarging the side windows some and potentially putting built in benches with pillows/cushions on both sides of the fireplace for additional seating. What do you think of this idea? Or do you have a better idea? Would filling in the large window and enlarging the 2 smaller windows currently on the side be a huge project?

I am open to any and all ideas! Thanks so much!

Featured Answer

PRO

BeverlyFLADeziner

4 years ago

Just a quick sketch of maybe what could be done without moving too much.

I know you don't need wood storage, but the wood is covering a storage panel see image below.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Smith & Ragsdale Interior Design
4 years ago
I like your ideas and yes it's a pretty big project as you will have to also deal with the exterior of facade of the home. It will make a huge difference though.
kcamp1980 thanked Smith & Ragsdale Interior Design
kcamp1980
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you! Do you know what type of professional I should contact for this project? We have never taken on a project like this so we are bit nervous! I am hoping to get the scale of the fireplace/windows correct so that it looks like it was always meant to be this way. We do have a set of sliding glass doors to the left so that will give us a lot of light as well.
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Lindybarts~ This is only the 2nd photo I've seen of your home (the other was your gorgeous master bath/travertine.... oh, and it seems you were the one with the huge beautiful island that at first you thought was too dark... was that you?). Oh my word, girlfriend, this is just beautiful! I love your fireplace, and your cool beams. Your built ins are just lovely. Your house is beautiful. Have you linked us to more photos in an album somewhere? I want to see more! ;o) Sorry Meagan, didn't mean to hijack your thread. I wish I had photos for you..... but mine is just a distant dream. I'm not sure when we'll get to the built-ins stage.... it will be a while.
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@soonermagicmama vent and chimney mean the same thing, so if it is vented, it has a chimney. Whether that chimney is a metal pipe or built from masonry is a separate issue. From what I can see, it appears to be a wood burning fireplace with a gas log installed. It could also be a vented gas fireplace, but it's hard to tell from the pictures. Seeing as it appears to be installed on an inside wall, the chimney (or vent) would go straight up through the roof. When I first began working on the mockups I had already observed the gas logs inside the fireplace as you can see in this blurry blowup. It does not look to me like a gas fireplace, it looks more like a wood burning fireplace with a gas log installed. This is a bit technical, but it does make a difference on what you can and cannot do around the fireplace. For example, if it is truly just a gas fireplace, you could probably remove the hearth (not that you need to) and you may be able to have combustible material installed right up to the fireplace opening. If it is a wood burning fireplace that has a gas log installed you would be required to keep the hearth and have only non-combustible material within 8" on the sides and 12" at the top of the opening. If it is important to you to know what you have, post a couple closeup pictures and I'll help you identify it. I need to see a picture like the view below (but clear) and one looking up at the top inside the fireplace where the damper would be.
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No offense intended but the design almost looks cartoonish. It might help if the upper piece of surround didn't overhang the side pieces. The unstained/unpainted wood trim doesn't quite go with the stone surround either. Am going to suggest you consider a stain or paint for the trim. White is my first inclination but it would really take some experimenting to select the right color stain or paint. The mantel has a slight rustic quality in the photo, at least. Perhaps you should go for a sleeker look - maybe stone. Good luck!
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Hi all, Many thanks for your comments so far. I appreciate any constructive input. Just a couple of additional notes to maybe help direct the conversation a bit better: We will have an architect and local contractor, but I was hoping to get some creative ideas on redrawing the layout that I could already bring to them to see if it’s possible. Letting go of building limitations/permits, I would love to hear any inspiring and unique ideas. One of these fireplaces is no longer possible to use, as the whole building chose to cut off the access to the chimney a few years back. It takes up a good amount of space and cuts off the flow of movement. I do appreciate the messages about preserving the original style and hope to restore the original floors and moulding, but this particular fireplace isn’t the most charming - it’s the cheap version that’s typically gets a big eye roll from Berliners. these fireplaces use coal pellets, which are high pollutants. The city of Berlin has a lot of regulations about fireplaces, and is pushing people away from using coal - and even wood burning fireplaces. I would love to keep one, in a modern German/European style, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify with the environmental impact (and gas is a big issue at the moment). I’ve lived in Berlin for 12 years now and my husband is from here, so we are familiar with the living style and many of the building limitations. Again, I appreciate everyone taking time to respond!
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threers
4 years ago
Your wall is busy and does nothing for you. Before you spend lots of money : paint everything the color of your walls. Put doors on your shelves; the doors will hide all the stuff on the shelving; also remove the shelves over the side windows. These changes will simplify the whole look of your wall. Also please cover the light bulbs in your overhead fan; there are glass shades made just for this. Adding floor lamps or table lamps will also improve the look of your room .
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kcamp1980 thanked threers
Snaggy
4 years ago
I would have some stained glass in the arched window...
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PRO
Smith & Ragsdale Interior Design
4 years ago
I would hire a designer in your city and have a plan before you hire a contractor. The designer will draw out the specifics and help pick finish materials. A contractor will then be able to give you a more accurate bid.
kcamp1980 thanked Smith & Ragsdale Interior Design
PRO
Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home
4 years ago
Below is an entertainment/fireplace area that we designed for a client. Notice the layout of the furniture and the shelving in the images.

High-End Residence · More Info

High-End Residence · More Info
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kcamp1980 thanked Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home
houssaon
4 years ago
If I were you, I would keep the fireplace off-center and the TV lower on the right side. How easy is it going to be to remove the upper window and matching the outside? If it is straight forward, that I would do it. Remove the columns, if they are just decorative. Simplify the book case. Maybe tile around the firebox.

Hang a large piece of art in the center or do a gallery of art.
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kcamp1980 thanked houssaon
eld6161
4 years ago
Cover the window with something that looks like a shade. No need then yo maneuver the outside.
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kcamp1980 thanked eld6161

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