Mantel and fireplace advice??

11 years ago

We purchased this house a year ago. It's quite large. Approximately 4500 sf. Built in the late 90's. The fireplace is on the right, the cutout to the left is meant for a TV. We have a TV up in our family room. I'm not against having a TV there, but don't like the look of this big empty cut out at all. If we do a TV, it needs to look like it was meant to be there. . Would like to re-tile and make this area make a statement. There is a fireplace directly behind this one on the same side with the same configuration in our bedroom. That, again... I would like to change. My husband is concerned the cost of moving the fireplace would be astronomical. I would appreciate any advice. :) Thank you!

Featured Answer

anne dee

11 years ago

You could configure the space to be a cabinet https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-traditional-living-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~345073

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Comments (16)

PRO
Debbi Washburn
11 years ago
Is it a gas fireplace or wood burning??
PRO
Debbi Washburn
11 years ago
There are a lot of great pictures when you search "offset fireplaces".... if this is gas - it may be easier to open that wall up and center this fireplace since the "flue" is done with pipes and you may be able to just use angled pipe to reconnect the vent... it is certainly something a professional has to be invloved with.... if you really don't want a tv here, i would suggest consideringnice bookshelves in there and change the paint color to something bold .... that would be a pretty simple way to start and then see if you want to go into a bigger construction project out of it...
leannec thanked Debbi Washburn
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leannec
Original Author
11 years ago
It is a gas fireplace (both are.) And they must vent up and out the side of the house somewhere.
PRO
Dimitry Mishchuk
11 years ago
We had a same problem with a fireplace check out our redesign.
Fireplace Re design · More Info
leannec thanked Dimitry Mishchuk
leannec
Original Author
11 years ago
The house was all builder white when we purchased it (which is what that area is now). I just painted the main walls surrounding it (sort of a tanish/yellow-green) and just feel lost as what to do to jazz up that whole area. Not sure of what paint color, or if I should re-tile the whole area..perhaps I should see about moving the fireplace? but, I was afraid the massive wall would eat up that small fire place and look silly. I will look up offset fireplaces. Thank you!
anne dee
11 years ago
Here was one solution to an off set FP
leannec thanked anne dee
decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
First, I'd try to find a solution for it as is. A decorative touch with actual logs or just custom cut ones that look good would fill the bill. Try adding a third corbel and column (or a pair of columns) to the center for balance. Then find a pair of paintings (dyptich) that function together to hang above each side of the mantle. These are as pricey as a new FP, but just for concept (they can hang horizontally.) I'd paint the FP and niche walls alike. You can use temp removable wallpaper in the niches that will pick up on color from the art.
Contemporary Living Room · More Info

"Beauty" Original Modern Diptych Oil Painting by Michele Morata · More Info
onetwothre
11 years ago
I would either fill it with logs, or make a cabinet out of it.
cabingirl13
11 years ago
Add some shelves or make it into a cabinet.
Claudianne Young
11 years ago
Make a little library with books and display a small lamp and some small paintings on easels.
lefty47
11 years ago
HI -- Clearly this is a design from the 80's or early 90's with the space allowing for the larger TV's of that time . Making or putting things in that empty space is just going to look make shift and cluttered . It might be worth it to have fire boxes on each side removed and have new long low ones put in . Then decorate the fronts with stone or tile veneers to bring it up to date . Will probably cost $ 10,000 to $20,000 depending if you do one side or both .
lanative65
11 years ago
I would have some shelves made for the space, and since you have power there, put a few lights hidden out of sight to create warmth. Maybe the shelves can be white and the wall behind the shelves green to match the space next to the fireplace. I think It's completely workable and you can balance it decoratively without spending a lot of money relocating and centering the fireplace.
Nancy Walton
11 years ago
We turned one of ouropenings into a media cabinet by buying unfinshed cabinets and custom fitting them to the opening.
cfollowell
11 years ago
I think there is too much going on visually across the whole wall. I'd remove the columns flanking the fireplace, install shelves in the TV niche and enclose with doors for storage. Move your chair in front of the new cabinet so the fireplace is visible. Hang a long oil painting about 2/3 the widths of the fireplace above the mantel. All of this will simplify the fireplace.
leannec thanked cfollowell
PRO
Julia & Elizabeth
11 years ago
I would add cabinet doors. A little extra storage is always a good thing.