Would you paint this mantel?
Some history:
This is the DR fireplace before we moved in. Note the lovely peach hues on wall and wainscoting.
First paint job after we moved in. Mantel was stripped and cleaned but not varnished. Decided to leave as is and decide later whether or not to varnish.
More recent paint job after the green walls became too moody for me. (Hung those strings of brass bells for Christmas 2019; still there.)
As we have been looking at dining room tables and considering some fairly dramatic walnut table tops, I’m wondering if we should paint the mantel/trim white.
OR should we varnish it?
We initially liked the wood because we felt like it related to the vestibule, which I assume is the same wood though the mantel wood doesn’t seem as pretty — maybe it would be with some varnish, though?
Orrrr should we paint?
Thoughts?
Comments (87)
Sueb20
2 years agoI’m not quite that whimsical, mtn. ;-/
I really want an upholstered seat, too.
And, I’ve got enough random wood finishes already that I really want the chairs to ”match” the table, ie either walnut or black. The more I look, my ideal scenario would be walnut chairs with an upholstered seat in in a subtle print that has my ”theme colors” as my family refers to them.
I really like this chair. I’m going to be near a Stickley store tomorrow so might pop in to take a look.
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How would you decorate this mantel?
Comments (10)Thank you again for the comments and special thanks to Nosoccermom for the photos. Unfortunately, we are stuck with the tv over the mantel for now. Again, not what I would have chosen, however, it's how the house is wired and DH likes it. As for moving it down, again, we're stuck with it at its current height due to where the electrician placed the boxes. I would have preferred it lower. I agree that no matter what is put on the mantel, it will not disguise the fact that there is a big black screen hanging on the wall....See MoreWould this be too small for over the mantel?
Comments (2)I love that! It's small for 60" wide, but you still may be able to create a nice vignette with it by adding other elements. Can you post a picture for people to actually see the mantel space? You might get some additional ideas, also, and be able to use that elsewhere if it won't work....See MoreWhat would you do with this mantel?
Comments (24)What a pretty house! I see that there are some kiddos in the picture. Here's an idea that may not be your cup of tea at all, but I'll mention it in case it sounds like fun. Buy a huge blank canvas at an art supply store. Gather small rollers and large brushes; leftover house paints (not oil based) and a few small mis-mixed paints from the hardware store. Work over a tarp. Have the kids start by loosely making a few light meandering pencil lines that start on one edge and end somewhere on a different edge. Have at least one of these lines cross another. Use these to have them start blocking in areas of color. Take turns filling in areas, working loosely and trying different techniques with the brush, adding things (e.g. at the end, maybe a drizzle or splash of paint). Make sure the edges are painted as well. If you want a splash of one color, save that for last and don't over think it. If you start with a palette you like and approach it as just a fun experience it can really work. Of course you need a plan for what to do (do you have a garage?) if the outcome isn't quite what you'd hoped. A key here is not to let the kids do much mixing on the canvas itself to avoid colors getting too muddy. I've seen this done as a kindergarten classroom auction project and the results have ranged from spectacular to, um, not. Final disclaimerâ¦I realize that with a new house and the end of the holidays, this probably isn't what you had in mind. So onward to Homegoods!...See MoreWould you paint this bannister white or would that be a mistake?
Comments (11)I‘m not a fan either visually or from a practical perspective. If you wanted a change, maybe look at inspiration pictures of only the newel post in white. Better yet, a new one could be lovely If not too difficult to do....See More
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
Bunny
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoBunny, why are you bothering me with practical matters? 😜 I forgot we were sitting on them. I like the way they look! Isn’t it nice how the curved lines of the chair echo the table base? Sigh. Will be going on some kind of ”sitting on chairs in stores” odyssey with DH when I can get him to agree to it.
There’s still the option of keeping the chairs we have, or the same chairs in black leather.
Sueb20
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoIf I went with an all-wood chair...I like this one. It’s matte black stain, which is intetesting.
Back to tile — I like these — not necessarily this dark, but I like the types of tile.
Sueb20
2 years agoI had a revelation today— though I like the idea of a colorful, artsy sort of tile, I think with our detailed wainscoting and the upcoming new furniture, something along these lines is going to be the best bet.
Does anyone have good photoshop skills to give me a preview?? (I’m thinking a gray tile inside the firebox, what do you guys think?)
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
l pinkmountain
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agomtnrdredux_gw
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoThis is too shiny. What if I did a marble slab surround but a tile hearth? Nicer tile than what I have now.
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years agomtnrdredux_gw
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
User
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoartemis_ma
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoThis is finally happening.
Yes, I painted the FP. And I’m glad!
Marble is being installed on the brick face, and simple gray-blue subway tile (herringbone) is going on the hearth.
Tina Marie
2 years agoUser
2 years agoSue about a year and a half ago I had someone cover the marble fireplace in our new house with brick, lol. The marble was dark and moody and i wanted the casual homey look of my favorite paint and mortar daubed brick.
From the RE listing…. and how awful does that shoe molding look painted white against the dark stone?
Fihished, just before move in.
it’s so interesting— and such a great reminder that style is adaptable—- to see two projects doing the opposite thing but each resulting in a better look and fit for the current owner and decor.
I think your painted FP surround and mantel look spectacular, and can’t wait to see the white marble installed!Sueb20 thanked UserSueb20
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoSueb20
2 years agoAggg 3rd attempt to post this. Table and chairs have been ordered, atk.
With black legs, not brass.
And this chair — in charcoal velvet. Table top and chair legs are walnut.
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