Need serious help with an unfinished fireplace remodel!

13 years ago

I hired someone who did not know what they were doing to update my red brick fireplace. He got as far as demolishing the hearth, laying a new flat tile hearth, putting up drywall and surrounding the opening of the firebox with tile. That took two months, many mishaps, and finally I had to fire him with the job so far shoddily done and incomplete. Here are my questions:
1. What should I do about trim and a mantle?
2. I cannot find the crown moulding ANYWHERE! What should I do?
3. Since the firebox does not go to the floor, what should I do about a screen or doors? I will be installing VENTED gas logs with a remote. This is because under that mirror it is wired for a TV. I decided after I put up my TV that I didn't like it there so much, but in case I change my mind again, or if I sell the house and someone else wants to put up a TV, the heat needs to stay at a minimum.
Any suggestions will be really appreciated!

Featured Answer

Keitha

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

What about painting the fireplace surround that cinnamon color in the tile. The darker color will make the tile and fireplace surround one cohesive element. Replace the mirror with a piece of artwork. I suggest replacing all crown moulding in this room.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

K B
13 years ago
I'm commenting on your post to bump it up so maybe some soul that is more talented than me will have some suggestions for you. Good Luck!
Related Professionals
Laconia Interior Designers & Decorators · Hackettstown Interior Designers & Decorators · Green Bay Interior Designers & Decorators · Watertown Architects & Building Designers · Marinette Architects & Building Designers · Modesto Architects & Building Designers · Coeur d'Alene Architects & Building Designers · Spanish Fork Architects & Building Designers · Annapolis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Waterloo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Fall River Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Springfield Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Santa Barbara Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Liberal Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Jackson Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
karen paul interiors
13 years ago
What are those 5 pieces in front of the fireplace? You must remove the mirror as it is capturing the image of the ceiling, fan, a partial doorway and a fraction of a piece of art. I would also suggest you post photos of your entire room, as the fireplace wall is not an entity onto itself. It needs to be a "player" in this room and should fit into whatever else is pre-existing in the room.
PRO
Brothers Custom Works
13 years ago
IDEAS: The 1st two pics are two formal mantels we built with standard off the shelf lumber yard material, except to the two fluted corbals. We found those in an antiques shop, they were formally wall mounted 1/2 round top shelves. The third is in a rustic ranch house - cultured stone and a natural cedar mantle. The forth fireplace facade cost as much as a new Corvette.
PRO
Lunada Consulting & Design, Inc.
13 years ago
With respect to the mantel look to the details in your wainscoting on the walls and incorporate into the mantel. The crown moldings can be made custom by most molding yards, but is often less expensive to completely replace. Would recommend the glass doors for your firebox - better heat control. I would also recommend moving the flat screen to the wall adjacent to the fireplace. Placed in the corner it is competing with the fireplace as a focal point.
Donna B
Original Author
13 years ago
I guess I forgot to mention what an impossible little room this is, too! There are no walls - across from the fireplace is the opening to the kitchen, and the sides are french doors to the deck and an opening to the living room. I know I need to lose the mirror - it is a temporary fix to cover the TV wiring. Love the color suggestion - should I continue with it on the chair rail and governors panels as well? Here are some pictures of the room. Oh, and those five blocks on the floor? My "contractor"s idea of a flat hearth. Flat being used loosly since all the grout is already cracked.
PRO
Lunada Consulting & Design, Inc.
13 years ago
The additional photos are very helpful. It appears as though the right side of the fireplace is a wider wall - could the tv and the chair swap places in order to allow the tv some breathing room? Also an enclosed cabinet (color to match wainscot) for the tv to sit on would allow it to blend in with the wainscoting. The fireplace surround could easily be taken to the ceiling and then an art piece to replace the mirror. Also like the idea of introducing a large plant to the left of the fireplace!
gypsyrose17
13 years ago
You can bring your photo of the molding to a home improvement store and see if you can match it...or look on-line...
PRO
Serra Design Inc
13 years ago
Try a web search for "The Moulding Company" and see if they have a location in your area. They were able to match an existing moulding and make new moulding for me if they do not have your pattern.

On to the fireplace: The fireplace just looks wrong, here is a simple fireplace you can find at a Moulding store.