Farrow and Ball Charlottes Locks? If you are really brave it would definitely pop!

http://us.farrow-ball.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?UniqueProductKey=100268#BVRRWidgetID

Ted : my couch is gray. That navy rug is moving to another room and will be replaced (probably) with a red Persian-style rug.

Darzy : I like that but I would really just want to keep this simple and paint it. But I love that photo!

How about a color?

Sorry you did a job on the paint samples. :>)

If you like industrial, how about sheet metal??? DIY? Or, if you'd rather just paint, there is metallic paint, copper, nickel, etc that can look amazing.

How about painting it Navy blue? Navy fireplace wall...

Darzy : I like that navy a lot. I wonder if I could paint it to look like the metal one. You think that would be easy or difficult? Looks like I would need two different shades to make it work

The more I think about it, to heck with just painting. Make it an awesome feature in your bachelor pad. Even if it's not the best installation, it will be a focal, artistic feature in your home. Sheet metal, screws, etc..."steampunk" style will look great.

I like charcoal black..................also like black chaulkboard paint if you want to do something interesting in your space.

Here are shelves from Restoration Hardware that could also be used in your place.

You could do a navy variation stripe, then do "rivets" with upholstery tacks to make it look like rivets.

Here is navy

Holy cow, I'm really, really digging the chalkboard paint! Beverly, is there a brand you know of that you'd recommend or are they all the same for the most part? Also, that top mantle is EXACTLY the one I want - except I'm going to make it. But that's exactly what I want it to look like!

I too like the chalkboard idea. I must say it doesn't scream "bachelor" though.

The chalkboard paint can be for anyone that has creative friends that are inclined to leave their mark on his wall.

Patrick, I have not used the product, but another bachelor on this forum decided he wanted to use it in his dining room, and I thought it was a good concept to suggest to you. Just about any paint company offers it premixed on their shelves. Just not sure if all are black or a bit charcoal in color.

You might want to check on line for chalkboard paint wall murals using the paint. There are plenty out there.

I like the navy or a lighter charcoal grey. Chalkboard fireplace, uh, I guess. Seems a bit strange and girly to write all over your mantel.

as soon as i saw this space i thought nautical. the shape of the fireplace reminds me of a boat. i could really see navy in this space, and gray and white.

I would invest in a stack of erasers also. No telling what will end up on the surface after a night of male friends and drinking. Might want to think twice before going that route.

Okay now...you can't get our attention with "desperate bachelor needs..." & THEN tell us you just want to paint with no accoutrements!!! I say play to the boat thing....vertical wood outlined with metal & rivets. A girl can dream...

Darzy your ideas are awesome re industrial sheet metal. I saw one room on Houzz done this way, it is au currant. Next thought I echo others with a charcoal or perhaps a midnight blue paint that complements the space.

These are all very, very good points and ideas. More than likely, I'm doing something that was suggested.

Thanks everyone for taking time to help me out. And if you think of anything else, feel free to keep the ideas coming.

I really like the navy mock up, personally. But mostly I was commenting to point out that chalkboard paint need not be black. A lot of dark colors can be made to be chalkboard paint (I think there is additive you can buy?) so you could look into going navy or dark green or something and still do the chalkboard idea if you like it.

Another thing you might do is look and see if you have an architectural salvage place in your area. Our local one here sometimes has some very interesting stuff that could be used to dress up the fireplace - barn wood, textured metal that has been removed from things, industrial stuff, architectural trim details, etc. It could be a good place to go and look for inspiration if you do want to do something a bit different. (I would take photos, also. If yours is like ours then the people working there are creative types often enough and they know the stock so they might think of stuff you would overlook, if they know your goal.)

I think a nice charcoal grey would look good. Try Sico - Iron Alloy. It would tie in with your couch and the planned red rug would really pop. It looks very rich when paired with silver accents close by (art frames etc). Good luck !

Do you want the fireplace to be the main focus or do you want it to blend in? Will you add a mantel and a painting? What about the blank side? Will you put a cabinet or wall unit on the blank side?

Here's the fireplace in our former house painted a deep gray. Very different style but perhaps this type color would work well with your decor.

I agree with Ted on the style of the FP, it certainly looks more SW/Spanish than industrial. That is the reason for the red shades in the color. Especially with the tile on the bottom. You have gotten lots of great ideas and I'm sure you will make a good decision based on the ideas and what works best for you.

Ted : the thought did cross my mind. But I kind of want to do something because the fireplace is the first thing you see when you enter the home. I'm still all over the place with this. As of right now, I'm leaning towards a dark navy and maybe trying the concrete paint look on another wall

I think the dark gray would look great!
Try Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore.