I need ideas on my kiva fireplace

last year

last modified: last year

So i need help....I am not a fan of our kiva fireplace design. We are mid century modern design lovers! Our accent colors are two shades of gold and peacock blue. Right now our carpet it white but we are hoping to change that soon. Parts of the condo I like but I HATE the fireplace.

We moved from an over 3500 sq ft mid century rental to a less than 2000 sq ft condo. We are struggling. The rest of the aesthtic is easiky changeable but wondering if something can be done to incorporate the fireplace into our midcentury look with the understanding that its a

southwest design. Added ither pics of condo in progress

Please help....

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PRO

Hansen Wholesale

last year

Taking from @Jilly 's inspiration, how about floating it out with a steel dimensional wall.

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Comments (12)

acm
last year
Photo?
shearindulgence
Original Author
last year
For some reason I cant get my mac to let me post a photo. Been trying.
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shearindulgence
Original Author
last year
shearindulgence
Original Author
last year
They had it painted white and we felt it needed color. Now I dont like it. But I didnt like the white either.
shearindulgence
Original Author
last year
Yes! i tried to convince my husband of that exact thing!
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
The kiva shape was popular in MCM designs, too bad you can’t clad it in metal. (ETA: I’m kidding.) :)

Other than ripping it out, or building something over it, I don’t think there’s a lot you can do. I do think painting it one solid color would look best — just the fireplace, not the two sections of wall butting up to it. A funky paint scheme just calls more attention to it.

Once you add furnishings, art, ambient lighting, etc, it’ll be more of a background feature, rather than a focal point.

Embrace the quirkiness and eclectic feel. I think it’s pretty cool. :)
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
last modified: last year
Jinx a Kiva is a very different FP than the ones you posted they are usually in SW homes and provide an amazing heat source Malm ones you post are a whole other type . I think we need to know if that FP is a must for heating , if not I would replace it with one like the one Jinx posted.
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
Patricia, yes, I’m well aware of that, being from the southwest myself.

I was just posting those to show the shapes are similar, and as inspiration.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I love Malms had one in my house a long time ago but honestly not great for heating like a Kiva is but the Kiva definately not MCM for sure .
ci_lantro
last year
Taking from Jinx's & Hansen Wholesale's inspo, try painting it a rust/ clay/ brick color. Just the fireplace. Those short bits of wall perpendicular to the FP that are now painted yellow--paint those white to match the rest of the walls.

Patina'ed copper would look awesome. Or a subtle metallic bronze paint...
Julie R.
last year
Although I no longer live there… New Mexican, here.

A kiva should be one solid color - a white/off-white or true earth tone such as light/medium browns or red ochre. The arch of the mouth can be trimmed with tile or accent paint. Or left plain. But the kiva should contrast to either the walls or the flooring to help it stand out.

Can you shift your gold color to the flanking walls like this?

Or you could try accenting every other brick on the arch with paint.

Of these photos, this tone is my personal preference. But YMMV.

This is too ”regular red”, IMO, but you get the idea.

Another idea would be to snoop on Zillow / etc at nearby listings since they’re likely to have very similar fireplace to yours. Good luck. And do share your final look!