I would paint it black!

I just bought that screen . Curved ones are hard to find, and I bought this to coordinate with the round gold chandelier , coffee table base & bar cart. I added pics to my original post, so hopefully you'll agree that it coordinates with the room. If not, I promise, Iam not offended in the least. Do I really need a curved screen? I welcome honesty.

monica

Thanks, Houzers! I appreciate your input. So, naturally, I want more .

for the mantle, I'm thinking that a floating semi circular one would be best. Thoughts??

monica

Okie dokie, time to paint the brick! Light? Dark? White? A deep slate color? SW Urbane Bronze?

Do you need a screen at all? I had a similar fireplace in an apartment once; it was plaster and more like a southwestern kiva. But a solid white mass would make a strong architectural statement.

haha, I was ignoring that question because I have NO CLUE! Do you want wood?

I think that I should not only paint the brick, but 'mud' it as well to get a smooth surface. As for color, I think a darker gray would work well, especially as I have an adjacent hallway with dark gray paint.

Monica

I don't think something like this will do it for your design style

Sockfinder, if I did wood, I would probably want to paint it glossy white or black.

or maybe red to match the tile........NOT

Monica

I like the rounded fireplace and the brick, and would suggest changing the red tile to a solid surface light tan stone or simple large tiles. The fireplace screen is beautiful, but the pattern is too distracting against the brick, as is the pattern on your moose. You could get a smaller, simple glass screen, and exchange places of the moose and your largest dark mirror. The screen doesn't have to be curved. I don't think the fireplace needs a mantle, but a custom one could probably be made. As an alternative, you could paint the brick to blend with your wall, and use a coordinating tile on the hearth, but I think you would lose a lot of interest in the room.

I think I'll leave this to the designers. I am always in here begging for advice; I shouldn't be giving it, HA!

Sockfinder, I think the mantle is fine, but whitewashed brick just won't work with the rest of the room. It begs for something sleeker.

monica

Wow- that is really a smart design! Sockfinder. That could really work!

monica

This looks rather elegant.

Gustaviatex,

i like the smooth surface of the picture you uploaded, but am trying to nix the southwestern vibe as it doesn't relate to the space. For the record, I live in Phoenix, Arizona, and have never even used the fireplace, so the screen is probably a moot feature.

thanks for your input

monica

I really like that shape, Gustaviatex

LOL. I live in southeast Texas and I have never used my fireplace either :-).

I think the curved opening is what looks vaguely southwestern. And I doubt it could be easily changed. But, making it plain, smooth white could just be an interesting feature. Any mantle would have to be custom built. Maybe something in metal and glass could be fabricated...? If you didn't want wood...

I would white wash it.

Ugliest fireplace ever...not by a LONG shot, trust us, we have seen much worse. BTW...I love your moose.

Gustaviatex,

i am fortunate enough to have a master craftsman available to me. In fact, he totally transformed the fireplace in my last home. Anything I can dream, he can do. so a custom mantle is totally an option for me. All I need to do is finalize design decisions so he can execute.

anyway, I can live with the round shapes. I can deal with the bones, but the 'cosmetics' are dreadful.

monica

Did you google SW Urbane Bronze? https://www.google.com/search?q=sherwin+urbane+bronze&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwit_ZSpouDPAhWGzz4KHRX1Ad8Q_AUICSgC&biw=1525&bih=734&dpr=0.9 

I vote for stucco. make it very smooth and sleek. You could even fur it out to get a more boxier shape.

^that paint color would be a suggestion if you're thinking something dark. I love doors painted this color, as opposed to a less interesting black.

Sockfinder,

that color is nearly identical to the deeper gray that I mentioned in my earlier response. Great minds thinking alike?

monica

Smooth stucco, painted white. You have enough pattern and color in the room and don't need a fireplace that competes.

Beth H & all, for that matter,

I actually did a fireplace makeover in my last home that aligns with what you mentioned- please see attached pics. The thing is, it was 3 weeks of mess and $5,000. I was hoping to avoid that this time around as I need to save for my kitchen renovation. Plus, I thought that trying something new might be a good idea. Should I just bite the bullet/ do the same as I did before?

monica

before:

During:

After

that looks really good!! but yes, that is pricy.(seems a bit high though). Another cheaper option would be to fur it out and cement board it. Then you could just do some large format tiles. Ok, maybe not that much cheaper if you have to pay someone to tile!

At this point, I guess you could paint it. If you don't like it, move on to the other steps. What about painting it a dark charcoal or black? I think it would fit in w/your decor well.

Auburn Residence · More Info

you could do a partial black brick and then do the smooth stucco above it. Similar to this:

Benjamin Moore · More Info

you could also paint it similar to this, but it blends w/the wall color too.

Enfield - Westmere · More Info

for another cheaper option, you could reface the brick with another type of stone. Here it's a black slate ledger stone.

Open Concept Space · More Info

I sincerely hope your last fireplace remodel was NOT in Phoenix. If it was, you paid twice what you should have. My goodness Monica, you are in the land of very talented, very cheap labor. (And don't start on the "illegal alien" thing. I lived right down the street from John McCain on Central for many years and I know his landscapers were "sin papel verde".) You decor says "fun". Why not have it smooth plastered, then add a "screw thread" spiral?

I like the idea of smoothing the surface painting it dark gray and adding the mantle that Gustaviatex, showed. I also like the idea of resurfacing the brick with with the black ledger stone

Eeek....I like it.

<runs and hides...>

Chiflipper,

alas, it was in Phoenix, and think that the reasoning behind the time and cost is due to my master craftsman ( and I'm being serious, not sarcastic) never having done a project like this. He also errs on the side of caution, took fireproofing to the max, etc.

on an ironic/ small world front, it is rumored that my current home ( whose back patio/ coutryard literally backs up against Central Ave) was owned by McCain's in laws back in the day- how wacky is that?

Back to the subject, what is a screw thread spiral?? I'm intrigued.

monica

Pennydesign,

No need to run and hide. With the exception of the weird red tile, in and of itself, it's fine. That said, it's out of sync with the rest of the bones of the house, and clashes with my decor. If I had more of a lodge or industrial vibe, it would be fine.

i thank you for your kind eek all the same.

monica

Beth,

Thanks for being so generous with your ideas.

1. Charcoal/ black is definitely on the menu. My hallway that is adjacent/ open to the room has charcoal paint, so it would definitely work.

2. Although I like the slate, I think the space calls for smoother edges.

3. Regarding brick on the bottom/ smooth on top- I was even thinking of penny sized metallic tile below, then a mantle above it, and then smooth to the ceiling.

picture of potential tile below.

thoughts?

monica

If your home is on the West side of Central, south of Glendale, it might have been owned by the Budweiser Beer Baron Distributor Owner Himself. Small world. Get a "flat head" screw and set it on its head...see the "threads" that wind up the screw...looks like a spiral staircase. OR...you are a hop, skip, and jump away from the Art District. Why not post an ad in New Times for ideas from local artists...couple of hundred dollars to the winner?

Love that penny tile etc. idea!

I think the deep purple, red tile, and black and white moose add drama. To really make it stand out and go with your "eclectic" vibe I would paint the brick to match the walls.

I do like the metallic rounds, however, those are pretty thin. Would you mortar right over the brick and then apply them or do a cement board over the brick? What about other shapes? Fireclay tile has some amazing hand made tiles in all shapes and colors. Their tiles are actually 5/8", which if you do it right over the brick, it won't get lost.

That slate also comes in perfectly smooth. This is gray ostrich slate. Has a metallic look to it.

Chiflipper,

If I lived at that residence, I assure you I would not scoff at the $5k price tag :)

my home is actually a townhome on the east side of central- a bit further south, and it was allegedly owned by Mac's prior in laws.

I like your idea of engaging local artisans- well done, and thanks.

monica

Beth,

i would definitely 'mud' the fireplace first for a smooth surface. Also, I think the 'sheets' (for lack of better terminology) associated with the round tiles would be easier to conform with the actual rounded shape of the fireplace versus rectangles which would likely not lay as flat. Does that make sense?

monica

it makes sense, but only because the rounds are tiny. the smaller the tile, the easier it is to conform around curves. but they are still flat. I see what're you're saying tho. obviously anything on a mesh sheet is going to be easier to lay than larger format pieces. I like the idea though. But I also like the idea of painting the whole thing a deep, rich charcoal/black. Satin or semi. That would look so dramatic in your room w/your art,,,and moose!

Many thanks to all of your thoughts and ideas- I greatly appreciate it, and think I have enough info to sketch out some design options and make it happen. This was really cool & fun.

monica

man, i love that thing, red and all!

loose the dang screen.

afford someone to make you a cool mantel paint it white for moose sake

dont fight it.......play into it. i can see white washing it.

ps i love a zebra rug for you!

Gurukaram,

Guilty as charged! I loved many aspects of my previous home, and my current one is basically an upgraded larger version of it. In fact, when I first toured my new place I told my husband that I felt like I was in 'Groundhog Day' when I saw the fireplace.

as for the red tile, it's not just the color, but the Moroccan shape- it just doesn't relate to anything else in either the bones or decor.

monica

Downbytheriver,

thanks for your input. I actually have a zebra ottoman in the room, so you're definitely catching my vibe. At some point in the future, I will likely replace the carpet with the porcelain wood look tile that I installed in the adjacent areas of my first floor, and an area rug will be a must have when that time comes.

monica

Can I just say that the Houzz community is just straight up awesome? This has been a very rewarding experiment for me, and I appreciate all who have taken time out of their busy schedules to help me. It's just really, really cool.

monica

the tile could be painted. i did it in may hall bath.