Fireplace Fiasco
Hey there everybody. We just bought a home that has a double cut out situation with a tandem entertainment area and fireplace. House was built in 2003, so it needs some updates. Let me also mention that we're going to be doing some extensive remodeling, expanding the kitchen, turning (this fireplace room) from a formal living room into the dining room because the house has an added 300 Sq. ft. family room off the back that we'll use for entertaining. That being said, I can picture (with new hardwood flooring) having my dining room in this room with the fireplace, but I absolutely dislike the double cut-outs and the weird molded "mantle." My taste is more modern farmhouse or french country. Wondering about closing up the left side (we won't need a T.V. in this room) and doing a different tile and mantle on the fireplace side? Try to picture the carpet gone and hardwood in place. Any creative ideas or suggestions are appreciated! This is my first post here (newbie alert), so I apologize for the long, rambling post. T.I.A. :) Erin P.S. Walls are drywall not stucco & these are FOR SALE pics -- not my decor. :)
Comments (10)
misecretary
2 years agoIt's difficult to tell if the walls are drywall or plaster. Also can't reallytell if there is a double wall leading to the hallway. I'm guessing they added to the current wall to make the niche and molding. Anyway, that wall would need to be smoothed out before your fireplace is redone. I went ahead and cut and pasted this ship-lap fireplace into your room for visualization purposes.
Enjoy your new place!
egirl0468 thanked misecretary
PROCDR Design, LLC
2 years agoHi. Congrats on the new house! I actually appreciate you providing complete information! You did well!
My expertise is actually 3d renderings. I create complete renderings for all spaces being renovated. But, I thought I'd do a quick photoshop for you to help you envision what might be.
Yes, you can transform this area. The long wall next to the mantle is a little awkward and if there is a way to eliminate this wall, that would be ideal
egirl0468 thanked CDR Design, LLCRelated Discussions
OT: Desperate for Advice on Onyx Tile
Comments (8)Bill V - thanks, I was hoping it was that simple. So, we lost half of our beautiful tile just for the sake of the wrong color thinset? That is pitiful. I'm sure they are going to try to make this our fault for not telling them what kind of thinset to use, but we're the layman. As a professional, shouldn't the tile setter have known to use white thinset for a translucent stone? The good news is that the remainder of the tile should work just fine for our master bedroom fireplace as long as they use the white thinset, right? Well, trying to find the silver lining, I guess all I can say is that the slate is a better choice material-wise for a woodburning fireplace & we can get the nice onyx look in the bedroom where we can really enjoy it. Thanks, for the advice - Jo Ann...See MoreLittle Daily Problems - Or Do I Just Have Bad Luck?
Comments (10)This is totally normal as your own GC. I don't post anymore because I'm so busy these days, but just wanted to let you know you are not alone! We're on month 14 of our build, we're our own GC's and have done pretty much everything after we were dried in, so I can totally relate. At the beginning of our build, we spent an entire day getting the batter boards set and everything was perfect, then our idiot of a renter forgot to shut one gate the next morning, and the cows got into our site and ruined everything we had just set up, took another entire night to fix that mess. I've never been so mad in my entire life...but I can kind of laugh at it now, and it does make for a good story. We deal with those little headaches every day, just remember we're not professionals, so the things that a pro would notice before they are an issue are things we might have to deal with later on. Just remember to breathe, and if you have to leave the room and break something then do it, then just get back into it, sometimes we just need to vent and then do some creative thinking to fix the situation! My DH and I are both working on the house, when one of us is doing a particularly big project, it really helps to have the other one's encouragement. For example, I'm finishing up our walk-in shower that I built completely by myself (this is my first one, can you tell I'm proud?), my DH has commented so many times that I'm doing such a great job and that he is so impressed. Those little comments make me feel so great even when I'm exhausted and don't want to continue, they really pick me up, so just keep telling your DH those things, it will keep his spirits up! Just keep your chin up, and don't sweat the small things, because in a few months you will hardly remember those issues (even some of the big one's have a way of disapearing from memory after awhile-or maybe it's just my memory is going!)....See MoreWhat am I to do? Painter prof help plz!
Comments (4)Hi Hampton, I guess I'M no help here...but does your frame application-area get hot? Our gas fireplace just vents out through the base, and the "face-frame" area doesn't get very warm. >>> Is your fireplace dealer available to answer questions on your model? >>> If your metal doesn't get very hot, try the "regular" spraypaints in the brass finishes. Hope ya find something! Faron...See MoreLiving Room Furniture Placement Dilemma
Comments (7)The focal point of a family room is always the fireplace/TV, and that sets the stage for how the furniture should be configured. So in your case, I would move the TV to the wall that has the fireplace. I would get two pieces of matching wood furniture cabinets to go on either side of the fireplace, and then hang the TV over one of them. Then pull your couch into the center of the room facing that focal point wall you just created. Then get two accents chairs to complete the seating configuration. And then you need a larger coffee table. Start with that....See More
Maureen
2 years agoI would dry wall the niche on left as well as above fireplace. Replace mantle, looking to achieve modern farmhouse or French country, depending on your dining set. You may have to address the tile.
egirl0468 thanked Maureenegirl0468
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoI wish I could respond to each comment here individually. If there's a way to do that please tell me. :) Thanks so much for all the great ideas! I agree that to drywall over the left side cut out & the top of the fireplace is a good idea. Adding different tile or maybe even reclaimed wood around the fireplace and mantle is such a neat idea. Very excited! A BIG thanks to all.
- PRO
CDR Design, LLC
2 years ago 
latifolia
2 years ago- PRO
CDR Design, LLC
2 years ago egirl0468
2 years agoTo those curious about why I'm focused on this: We are preparing for carpet in this once living room to come out and LVT- wood flooring to be installed. The kitchen has a half wall opening to this room which will be made into a taller bar height counter (with seating) overlooking the once living room that we're making a formal dining room. You can see there is a new addition sunroom off of what is to become the new dining room that will become the main family room. A side note: The kitchen cabinets are being refaced and painted, new sink, countertops, appliances, lighting. Back to the FIREPLACE wall: My focus is there because I know what I want to do with the rest of the home. This is the "one" place I'm not able to envision a solution to make the new dining room space cozy and less contemporary/modern. I did have a contractor come look who stated as some others here had surmised that this wall is decorative and was added to the existing hallway support wall. We're going to cut into it and see what we find. We can take it out up to the fireplace which I want to keep in place. The location for this gas fireplace is perfect for a snowy winter holiday with our family around the dining table. :) The fireplace needs a new mantel and surround. I could turn the left side opening (meant for a TV, etc, into a closed door cabinet at the bottom with floating wood shelving across the top or get rid of the wall all together. I also like the idea and look of shiplap.
This was a builder design idea back when this house plan was built in the early 2000's. I admit, sometimes I get bent on one thing like this that gets stuck in my craw like an itch you can't scratch. Thanks to ALL here who have given their honest input. I greatly appreciate the comments and pictures. We're off and running now. I'll post updates when we're done. :)
PRONorwood Architects
2 years ago
Patricia Colwell Consulting