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Home Decorating Design Dilemma Fireplaces

Fireplace question (decorate it or rip it out?)

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We bought a 1970s mid century modern home earlier this year. We are puzzled as to how to decorate or remodel this wood burning fireplace. DH wants to rip it out and put in a contemporary one (i.e glass electrical fireplace) since we don't use the wood burning fireplace ever (none of us wants to deal with the cleaning :) I disagree with DH because we live in Boulder, CO, and the city no longer let you put in a wood burning fireplace when building or remodeling a home. However, you can keep the existing ones. I figured if we ever sell our home, maybe the potential buyer would like to have one in the house....

Previous homeowner put three framed art pieces above the fireplace. I thought about putting up a wood mantle and a TV. I even thought about getting rid off the green tile surround.... Right now, it just looks blah... Thank you in advance for any ideas.

Featured Answer

yvonnecmartin

3 years ago

We need photographs to help us.

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Comments (16)

Helen Tang
Original Author
3 years ago

yes a photo would be helpful!
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First...to Jterrilynn....an apology for repeatedly misspelling your name. KK, I did not tape up the tile. They are so heavy and so expensive! I am really afraid one will break. I ordered extras, but not with the extra course under the windows in mind. So, I did a mock-up using paper and it looks darn good when I squint my eyes to get a sense of what it will look like. Circuspeanut, thanks so much for that picture! That says it all! At first I thought, "yeah, but her counter matches the window trim." Then I realized mine does, too. doh (Are you a her, btw?) Thanks for cheering us on, davidro! Blfenton, I plan to take this all one step at a time. I won't paint the window trim unless I really need to. I still think the uppers could benefit from paint and the truth is I always wanted a painted kitchen but my builder didn't offer it. I just ordered the espresso (almost three years ago now!) and figured I could paint later if I wanted to. The tile is two colors which, in combination, look like a third color somewhere in the middle. So I will probably use one of the two actual colors, so there will be some variation from the visual blending of the two. (Did that make any sense at all?!) Anyway, I need the tile on the wall before I get too crazy picking colors. The tile will run under the cabs on the L side of the kitchen. The opposite (fridge) wall will just be paint. The tile will end at the lower edge of the hood. I will remove the apron from both windows. Like you, I want the easy clean-up. Thanks for all your input!
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Helen Tang
Original Author
3 years ago

yes a photo would be helpful!
decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
I think you're on the right track about re-sale later on. Put one of the electric things in the master.
Helen Tang thanked decoenthusiaste
ronnizia
3 years ago
Retile the surround.
Helen Tang thanked ronnizia
acm
3 years ago
I like the wall with the fireplace, and I'm definitely a real-wood fireplace person. I'd put the TV in the corner where the clock (?) is, and nice art over the fireplace, and a couch where the photographer is.

As for the tile, I'm sure you could replace it, but I wouldn't try to change the style -- with marble and a beam mantel, etc. -- just choose a different color or type of face tile. Slate would be gorgeous. But the green could be a nice anchor, depending on your art and other options -- could reflect it just a bit like the pillow in the photo, or in a new cover for the window seat cushion, etc.
Helen Tang thanked acm
maddielee
3 years ago
If your husband insists on getting rid of the fireplace, rip out the hearth, clean your fireplace, and drywall over the whole wall. Take lots of photos documenting your wall remodel. If you decide to sell, your house would still have a wood burning fireplace.
Helen Tang thanked maddielee
acm
3 years ago
That would be a huge project, especially with the lack of flooring under the hearth. I'd try to work with what you have, or get an insert that allows you to have a less fussy fire without ripping out the functionality.
mmmm12COzone5
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We have a similar dilema. Wood burning fireplace in Colorado where you can't build a new one. But we also don't have enough room for a big screen TV on the side of the fireplace because it is centered on the wall. We also have the same raise hearth you do.

We ended up putting the plastic window insulating film over the fireplace (to keep drafts and bees out - both of which we got when it was an open wood burning fireplace) and putting a giant TV right in front of it. It covers the entire fire box, is just below the mantle and doesn't quite cover the entire marble surround. I can't say it is perfect asthetically but it is perfect functionally. The TV is exactly the right height and the right location in the room. Also it cost nothing.

Your fireplace would be much easier to hide with a giant TV. You could also hang some shelves on either side to frame it.

https://www.westelm.com/products/emmerson-reclaimed-pine-floating-shelf-h1504/?catalogId=71&sku=1867246&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Art%20%2B%20Mirrors%20%3E%20Shelves%20%2B%20Display%20Ledges&cm_ite=1867246&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAduEFqwVhcYA8sXQrCSWvFn83m2cxTWMqHlIRfNOKGsQvKJEtLXxdpwaAmpMEALw_wcB

https://www.target.com/p/24-34-x-6-34-wood-block-wall-shelf-walnut-threshold-8482/-/A-54552032?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Home%2BDecor%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Home%2BDecor&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9028725&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAdvzfa_ST-GjmSQlJo0LnepuSNs_CIOSS7nhet-6esErmJArKykI9w4aApwYEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Helen Tang thanked mmmm12COzone5
Irene Morresey
3 years ago
Decorate it
Helen Tang thanked Irene Morresey
Irene Morresey
3 years ago
Love it
cat_mom
3 years ago
You can put in a gas insert (if you can run a gas line to it). We did that with the wood burning fp in our family room. We never used it prior (had it blocked off with boxes to keep our cats from getting into it before finally renovating the Family Room). With a gas insert, it is supposed to be easily converted back to wood burning by pulling out the insert.
Helen Tang thanked cat_mom
arcy_gw
3 years ago
CO has a lot of earth issues. Water/fireplaces...I sort of think a future potential buyer might take issue with the earth insult a wood burning fireplace is. Statistics say everyone puts "fireplace" on their list of what they want in a home. Conversely they are RARELY used. I agree with your husband. Put in a gas insert. That however does not change your dilemma 'how to decorate it'. The gas insert will not affect the present look at all. You will still want to rework the green tile and possibly a mantle..going w/o is a recent fad that in CO I think would not be popular?
Helen Tang thanked arcy_gw
Tara
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I'm one of the few that does not want a fireplace. I just don't see the appeal, just like I don't see the appeal in fire pits or camp fires. I don't like the smoke or the flames. I don't like fireworks either. Or clowns. Or dolls. Go figure. I get the idea that if your electricity goes out, you still have heat, but I would rather have the wall space.
Helen Tang thanked Tara
Maureen
3 years ago
Having had both a wood burning and gas - wood got tedious from cleanliness, smell and safety perspectives Gas heats up a room quickly and with it being so convenient, we use it all the time.

My sister converted hers and they ran into major issues, costing them a fortune. To help you decide, maybe get someone to check on feasibility and costs involved.

With either decision, I would update it visually.
Helen Tang thanked Maureen
highdesertowl
3 years ago
I can't imagine living in Boulder, CO without a fireplace--definitely keep it, but also definitely convert it to a gas fireplace that you can turn "on" with just the flip of a switch. I sit on the raised hearth in front of our gas fireplace every winter morning just soaking in the heat and cheeriness of the fire. Which is also why I am a BIG fan of raised hearths, a fireplace without one is completely pointless in my book :)
Helen Tang thanked highdesertowl

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