skip to main content

Remodeling Design Dilemma living room

What should I do with this brick fireplace?

9 days ago

We just started renovations on this 60s ranch home and I'm trying to get a vision for the main living area. I just finished painting the wood paneling in SW Alabaster and I am loving how much it has brightened up the space but here are a few other things we plan to do to bring it all together:

- Paint the ceiling trim the same color as the walls to give the illusion of a taller ceiling

- light to medium toned hardwood, LVP, or laminate flooring - The floor you see in the photo is what was there before, we are in the process of pulling it up.

- add can lights and rework the ugly double ceiling fan situation (open to suggestions on that)

- refinish built ins to compliment whatever floor we choose

We also hope to one day raise the ceiling and get rid of the ceiling tiles, but that's just not in the budget right now.

The only thing I am stumped on is what to do with the fireplace. I usually love the contrast and texture that brick brings to an interior, but there is just something about this brick that I do not like at all. I want the brick to still look like brick so I'd like to avoid painting it if possible. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Yvonne Martin
9 days ago
Wait until everything else is done before thinking about the fireplace.
krissie55
9 days ago
Cleaning the brick fireplace would be a start. Looks like there is a lot of smoke on it.
Related Discussions
What should I do with orange brick?
Q
Comments (0)
I'm so over the orange brick. What should I do with it? Paint white? Gray? Try a whitewash effect of some kind? Thanks so much for your opinions!
...See More
What should I do with my fireplace?
Q
Comments (50)
We built a Rumford fp, and because DH just loved it I got him a picture of the Count and hung it near his chair. It really does put out great heat. Sue, you are not allowed to paint the mantel or any of the wood. Do you understand? People are going to do a doubletake when they see the men in your firebox. Books in a fp seems like a huge fire hazard or a gathering place for bad spiders.
...See More
what should I do with my old red brick fireplace during remodeling?
Q
Comments (12)
More background about the remodeling project. The living room is a sunken living room and we are raising it to level with the dining room etc. We need to raise it about 8 inches. This fireplace is in the sunken living room. Since the fireplace has a layer of brick that is raised right now and we are going to make the fireplace flush with the new hardwood flooring, we will be raising the fireplace up for about 5.5 inches (8inches - thickness of the one layer brick + thickness of hardwood flooring that will be installed). It is about the thickness of 2 layers of normal red brick and a little more than one layer of the brick that is inside of the fireplace. After raising the fireplace, the opening of the fireplace dimension will be about 24 inch tall * 36 inches wide. Will it look OK? If it is still a “normal” size opening for the fireplace, I tend to want to keep the wood burning fireplace as I can paint it white and it is still functional.
...See More
What should I do with this brick wall?
Q
Comments (22)
I wonder when natural brick and stone became a feature so disliked in the decorating world? Is it the Gaines effect? Pinterest? IG? All of the above? I mean, sure, throughout history people have painted masonry, but never to the extent as the last few years. It was something thoughtfully weighed and considered, usually due to bad brick quality … not a trend for any and all situations. Especially not with stone. Looking at real estate in my town, a large percentage of the houses have exterior and/or fireplace masonry painted over … and they look like badly done DIY projects. I’d never buy one. Reading old threads here, it was rare for anyone to suggest painting or limewashing masonry. Instead, the features were pretty much treated as background, and creatively integrated. I hope the tide turns, as there won’t be many houses left with interesting and natural features. Sorry to veer off, OP, just something that interests me. It is a discussion board, and I’m discussing. :)
...See More
Connecticut Yankeeeee
9 days ago
IMO, don’t wait until everything is done! You want to include all aspects of the room in your plan. The fireplace can be an issue if you change up the ceiling.
housegal200
9 days ago
last modified: 9 days ago
I'm not sure I understand what you mean about the flooring. Are those wood slats the flooring you're installing. Or is what looks like carpeting on the right what's there now?

Your furnishings, rugs, and art will effect how well the fireplace can be integrated. I personally like it. A large art work over the fireplace can make a huge difference in how the fireplace looks.
Leicester Court Residence · More Info

Mid Century Master Bedroom · More Info

"Spectrum In Gold & Black" by Rachel Springer, Canvas Print, 26x26" · More Info
Emily B
Original Author
9 days ago
To clarify, there isn't carpet under the flooring we are pulling up. Its similar to linoleum but I'm honestly not sure what it is. The previous owner had laminate installed over it, which is what you see in part of the room. The laminate had a large amount of damage and I just generally didn't like it, so we are pulling it up to replace it with something else.
ShadyWillowFarm
9 days ago
I would probably whitewash the brick or paint it the same color as the walls. You can paint it yourself just use masonry paint and a primer. It’s not attractive brick. It’s not a crime to paint it. MRemove the doors and use a flat screen instead, much more attractive and easier to use.
rockybird
9 days ago
I agree with you. Maybe drywall or stucco over it in white so it matches the walls? But keep it modern looking, not bee hive. Or drywall over it and tile with a pretty color like sage green or even just white. Fireclay has some pretty bick-like tiles.
housegal200
9 days ago
last modified: 9 days ago
Thanks for the clarification about the flooring. In the sixties, midcentury ranches were still popular it wasn't unusual to have that kind of fireplace.You have some big decisions to make about the flooring. Make sure to tie it into the wood trim you have and any other "givens" like cabinetry that's in view of the space. Hope you go for wood flooring. Try to avoid the trendy gray driftwood thing that's on it's way out--often so dreary. Bring out the warmth of the trim in your floor choice so they echo each other.
Boxerpal
9 days ago
This is going to be a lovely space. Great idea to remove that old flooring and put in your new wood flooring. Or is that LVP or Engineered Hardwood? It will give a fresh feel to the space and new floors are always a great way to start.

The fireplace might be toned down if it whitewashed or painted. Before you do this, you need to really dislike it because once you go white wash or paint,, it can be expensive to go back. And maybe it could work. Can you take a close up photo of it? There are some browns that might work if you decide to keep it after cleaning it.

Is that a kitchen cabinet in gray on the right side of the photo? Could you paint the built ins a similar gray color? Or even the fireplace? Are you keeping the chair? Just want an idea of how the space will look.

Here is a white wash similar fireplace.
Whitewash Fireplace · More Info

You could paint it gray and remove the mantle
Sunnyland Residence · More Info

I painted mine Navy Polo Blue by BM and I have no regrets. My brick was loud before.

Before photo... You can see below it was ugly with the saltillo tile too.

We painted ours navy blue and put in built ins.

more ideas for you...

A Collection of RP Favorites · More Info

Completed Projects · More Info

maybe have a carpentar build a mantel around the fireplace.
New York Transformation · More Info

Chastain Park · More Info

Memorial Full House Remodel · More Info
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
9 days ago
This is my 1957 MCM ranch LR botice the huge FP that honestly I thought I might cover in concrete to begin with. Now it is my fave part of the sapce it also is the back wall for my range in the kitchen I love the rugged stone next to all our very contemporary stuff.I guess what I am saying is wait to deal with the FP it might not need much other than cleaning . I scrubbed ours with TSP rubber gloves and a scarub brush , it made a huge difference in how it looked

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Surround Your Fireplace With Tile, Brick or Stone

By KitchenLab Interiors

Freshen up your fireplace with a crisp, colorful or dramatic new look

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

FIREPLACES 12 Hot Ideas for Fireplace Facing

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

From traditional brick to industrial steel, there’s a fireplace cladding here to light up your design

FIREPLACES What Goes With a Redbrick Fireplace?

By Laura Gaskill

Play up or tone down your redbrick fireplace by pairing it strategically with other colors and materials

COLOR Choosing Color: 6 Striking Options for 1 Fabulous Fireplace

By Jennifer Ott Design

A painted-brick fireplace gets a virtual wash of new color, turning it dark and dramatic or bold and bright

BRICK How to Paint Brick Like a Pro

By Lisa Frederick

Got a bland or beat-up brick wall? Treat it to a fresh face with paint in any color you choose

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Your Fireplace Surround

By Leslie Reichert

Stone, bricks, marble and wood are among the most popular surfaces for fireplace surrounds. Here’s how to clean them

FIREPLACES 9 Inventive Materials for Memorable Fireplace Mantels

By The Inman Company

Bypass plain brick in favor of these choice materials, for a fireplace mantel that's anything but ordinary

LIVING ROOMS 11 Popular Materials for Fireplace Surrounds

By The Inman Company

Whether industrial steel or classic brick speaks to your style, one of these materials is sure to set your heart aglow

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Industrial Style in White, Blue and Brick

By Mitchell Parker

A major renovation uncovers an old fireplace that forms a warm focal point in this lively Pittsburgh kitchen

Sponsored

Integrity Woodworking Inc

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry Professionals

More Discussions

pre made vanity vs. built for bathroom

2

bathroom remodel choices

9

Bathroom vanities

0

Kitchen Remodel: Brain Melt I need Help!

3

Granite veining direction on countertop "L"

7