We just---and I mean within 48 hours---had our offer for a house accepted in the northern Phoenix area. My design aesthetic has always been Minamalist Contemporary/MidCentury Modern, yet somehow I have ended up with a Southwest Soft Contemporary. It's the views---that's all I can say. You can change decor, but you can't change the views. Well, now that I have the views, I need the house to reflect MY style---but I am baffled. First thing when you walk in to the house is the living room. You look straight out the back windows to the mountains (oh, the views!) and to the right, angled in the corner, is a kiva or beehive fireplace. I feel like if I can get the fireplace under control, I can proceed from there. But I can't envision at all what I can do to banish the rustic feel the kiva fireplace gives me. Can it be done? Or do I need to start thinking I need a contractor in to reconfigure the fireplace to a more contemporary facade? I am also working with 18 x 18 travertine tile floors (which I can cover with rugs for the moment) and those big log ceiling beams and pillars that they call "vigas". They are a natural color right now, but I am not afraid of stain or paint---I don't think they are removable without the ceiling coming down. I have googled like crazy, and have not been able to find any idea on what to do---does anyone have a suggestion? I want to keep the big view out the back window the main feature, but I think the fireplace is setting the flavor---but the wrong flavor, Any suggestions?
Sorry I don't have photos---the whole deal went down in a few hours before we departed for our current home.