Fireplace mantel and facing suggestions? (Pics included!)

kwb1999

13 years ago

Hi everyone!

We are about to remodel our fireplace, and, as we are design-challenged, I would love any suggestions/insights! We are thinking of putting in a white wood mantel in kind of an arts and crafts style, similar to the "inspiration" photo. We'll pull out the brass insert that's there now and just get a simple fireplace screen to put in front. As for the facing, right now, we are thinking of using 12" marble tiles (probably crema marfil or something similar in a creamy color). Our walls are SW Wise Owl, the floor is white oak, and the colors of our room are blues, browns, tans, and some green. As for style, we are fairly eclectic. I want our house to be colorful and warm and welcoming, but I want to make sure that the mantel is simple and classic enough that it will still look fine after several years! I'm a little worried that the marble might be a little too formal, especially since our house is a small 1940's bungalow. Would some kind of stone in a subway tile pattern be better?

Anyway, if you have any feedback on whether this style mantel might work as well as whether it would look OK with marble facing, etc., I would really appreciate it!

Here's the link to a few photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43382855@N08/sets/72157624305715135/

Thanks so much for your help!

kate

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace Photos

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

barbie08075
13 years ago
We just completed a fireplace also. Although I love the formality of a marble surround, I was having difficulty with warranting the cost of marble. After pricing soap stone, marble and granite which are all costly, we agreed on a larger porcelain tile (about 12x16 in) which even after cut down, has fewer grout lines then the 6x6 tiles(a look I really dislike). My advise is look around as there are literally zillions of choices in tile and tile size, you can purchase one and bring it home and test it in your room.
justgotabme
13 years ago
kwb1999, can we see more photos of the room/home? It's really hard to give you ideas with out knowing more about your home. What's the wood work look like? It's impossible to tell the character of your home with the close ups of the fireplace.

One thing I can tell you is that you'd be wiser to keep the glass doors than just replace with a screen. Unless you live in a warmer climate you'll lose lots of heat through the fireplace. There are paints that are made for high heat if it's the brass you don't like. Personally I like brass. It's classic. Never really goes out of style. Maybe out of favor, but never out of style.
Related Professionals
Garden Acres Interior Designers & Decorators · Milwaukee Furniture & Accessories · Oshkosh Furniture & Accessories · Queens Furniture & Accessories · Santa Barbara Furniture & Accessories · St. Louis Furniture & Accessories · Owasso Furniture & Accessories · Detroit Furniture & Accessories · Irmo Furniture & Accessories · Potomac Furniture & Accessories · Laguna Niguel Lighting · Miami Lighting · Scottdale Lighting · Mount Sinai Window Treatments · St. Louis Window Treatments