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Fireplaces Design Dilemma Home Decorating

Suggestions needed for fireplace makeover

3 years ago

Just moved into home with large fireplace surround and hearth. Hoping to keep the hearth ledge/seat projecting into the room and even the smaller rectangular surround immediately around firebox, but definitely want new ideas for the remainder of the black space. It is a different material (possibly mirror) with gold veining and not a style we want to incorporate. Any suggestions appreciated. We lean toward mix of traditional and transitional styles.

Featured Answer

Rachel Lee

3 years ago

I think the outlined area needs to be white. If that tile only can be removed, choose a simple white tile to replace it. If it cannot be removed, paint it.

Comments (11)

jck910
3 years ago
Please post a picture from further back so we can see the entire wall.
S N
Original Author
3 years ago
Lin
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Enjoyspring, do you maybe mean "update" or "freshen" rather rather than modernize? Even traditional homes need a change or two now and then and this seems to me what you are talking about. I agree with those who say don't paint the brick since I once lived for a short time in a house where this was done and it was awful. Someone suggested a new surround and painted the brass doors black. These are good suggestions in my opinion. If you can't paint the brass I'm sure you could buy new ones that are a more "updated" look. The polished brass, I think, was more of a 1980's traditional look and oil rubbed bronze and darker finishes have become more popular (although I've heard that they may be on the way out now). Your mirror is great IMHO and would look wonderful resting on a darker mantel.
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I would take off the doors and the surround, clean them and spray paint them with heat resistant paint, clean the stone on the entire fireplace with extra attention to the area near the surround to remove the smoke/soot stains, tile the hearth with complimentary tile/stone, or remove the distracting hearth and replace with a cheap granite/marble remnant from a granite fabricator (our local yard offers any stone remnant cut to fit up to a 48 inch vanity for $250). While the surround/doors were off, I would also clean the firebox, spray paint with heat resistant paint, and shove as much insulation into the flue as possible. The mantle could be improved with minimal effort and some carpentry skills. Just doing something about the distracting hearth would do wonders!
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Thanks dyhgarden - this is one of those neither fish nor fowl homes. It lacks many architectural details but isn't really modern. My furnishings include club chairs, an English roll arm sofa, antique tables and chests, and a little modern art. I like to call it eclectic but others may see it as a lack of focus. I would like to keep some sort of mantle. Hadn't considered shiplap.
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Hi Sierra, That is unique! And I agree with your thought, the stone is the best part. If it were me, I'd think about resurfacing the brick and tile above and below with one material to contrast in color and texture with the stone. Dark slate comes to mind. Looking around a little, soapstone might be better right by the fireplace. A medium-dark to dark gray with a low-contrast pattern might be a place to start. The trick will be finding something that compliments, but doesn't compete with the stone. (And paint the pole to match with a firebox rated paint.) Hope that helps! Doug
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S N
Original Author
3 years ago
Previous owners left rug and window treatments, all to be replaced. And new furniture still to be purchased.
S N
Original Author
3 years ago
Additional angles
Sarah
3 years ago
If you display items you love that speak to your style and then have lovely furniture, rug and window treatments, the fireplace surround will essentially disappear and not be noticed. Get the room situated with all your things then see if it still bothers you. If it does, maybe a white marble would be preferred?
jck910
3 years ago
That's quite the wall. How extensive do you want the update? Remove the whole unit? Paint the unit? The space for the TV looks small by todays standards.
S N
Original Author
3 years ago
We are keeping built-ins and trim work above mantle (all the white). I actually like the hearth seat/ledge. And there is a small border around the firebox made of the same material that I am trying to keep. My thought is to remove the rest of the black mirrored material that has the gold veining and replace with new material of some sort.
S N
Original Author
3 years ago
This is the portion I’m hoping to replace with new material
jck910
3 years ago
I think you need to get a tile person in to look at it. They should be able to tell you if just that portion can be removed and re-installed
S N
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the feedback!

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