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Please Help: Make this outdated fireplace look amazing!

last year

We live in a late 50’s four level split and I desperately want to update the fireplace and shelving around it. This is in our family room that will soon be a place for our kids to hang out. We recently removed the scalloped wood trim that flanked the shelving. The walls will be SW On the Rocks. I’m contemplating painting the brick black or white. What do I do about the shelving? I love the natural wood shelf look, and I’d love to match it with a mantle. The shelves now are hung with that metal track thing…not sure what you call it, but it’s awful. Paint over it to save money? The budget is lacking because we finished a large kitchen remodel last year and a full bathroom gut a month ago. I am envisioning black brick, with white or natural/stained wood shelves with black backing, or white brick with black shelving. I’m so lost and don’t feel I have room for error. PLEASE HELP!

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Comments (8)

Jen W
Original Author
last year
All of the “things” will be removed…we were just cleaning the shelves and moving things around to get the trim down. Here’s a photo showing the shelves and track, along with what the fireplace looked like before we moved in, 14 years ago.
Jen W
Original Author
last year
Before we moved in. Unfortunately the wood burning fireplace is no longer functional, as the contractor that hung our tv there long time ago said it was either the tv or the fireplace. We went with the tv, and are ok with it. We took the doors off and replaced with the above screen from PB. It’s just used for fun…we do faux candles or lights during the holidays.
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how could a light wall color be dated? I think you're looking at it paired w/your oak trim. To me, that's what's dated (especially the fluted wood trim and sqaure pieces around your window. sorry, but unless you live in a 1915 craftsman or victorian, those are dated ) Paint it. better yet, replace it and paint that. I don't care what anyone says, that 1980's, early 90's builder basic wood trim just is not nice looking. This stuff. It's builder basic and isn't even decent wood. (maybe yours is, but the majority of them are not) It's more trouble to sand, prime and paint, so I'd just remove this and get more up-to-date looking window and door casing, and the higher baseboards. at least 5" on those. You see this door trim and baseboards? I painted my walls w/White Dove and had to repaint because it looked so dingy. Your light is obviously brighter than mine! I repainted with Simply White (cabs are about the same color) All the crown/baseboard is also Simply White. (in a semi gloss. walls are eggshell) You said you like the warmth of wood. You have the beautiful wood floors and the wood furniture. You don't need that 80's trim on the window or baseboards! bring in a nice vintage walnut console or something. (that wall could use some art. Or, better yet, how about doing a beam on those ceilings? Diff ways and styles to do it, and here's just a quick shot of what I mean, but it could add a lot of interest if you're doing white walls. This is Studio McGee. I love this room. Does it look dated? It's all white. (forget the white she used. swiss coffee at 75% I believe) look at her white trim, the wood accents, the warm elements, the ceiling beam. (you can DIY that faux beam if you like) This one too. Lots of white, lots of wood elements.
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Jen W
Original Author
last year
I guess you can’t see the screen in the above first photo…it is off to the side. But it’s black. Here’s a photo from 10 years ago, when we used the room.
jackowskib
last year
This can be a fun project! If budget allows perhaps look into converting to an electric fireplace in the space so it's operable. I suppose maybe others like you just live with the fireplace look but have no functionality. With your selected wall color I would look for the complimentary white trim color for it to be used for ceiling and room trims. Remove all the shelves and either refinish them in desired color or get new wood to compliment. Consider converting lower half to have doors for cabinet storage and hide all the cords. I would remove the metal shelf tracks, fill the holes and drill new shelf pin locaters once you decide on shelf placements. I'm no pro so will leave color considerations to them. Pros will likely prefer to see photos of the entire space, both sides of room to get better visual of room details. Good luck!
Jen W
Original Author
last year
@jackowskib great suggestions! I’d love to have an electric fireplace. Not sure if budget will allow now, but definitely a goal for down the road! Our trim color is SW pure white. I have so many things running through my head for this project and so very little patience, and little ability to make a decision! Lol
cliff_and_joann
last year
I would rip out the shelves and paint the wall. You have a very cluttered look there and I think you would welcome the complete change.
Jen W
Original Author
last year
@cliff_and_joann, we don’t plan on keeping that many shelves on each side. It’s too much. That whole room is awkward! I feel like a few shelves will be needed on each side. But, I agree that it’s a bit cluttered now.
jackowskib
last year
I don’t agree with removing the shelf units because the brick runs all the way across.

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