Wall space and fireplace

9 years ago

Help! Our place needs some updating and I need help with the wall space. I am not a fan of the fireplace mantel (very bulky) and thought of taking it off and then replacing the green marble with something nicer. The wall to the right of the fireplace needs something but it's so huge, I don't know what. Additionally, we thought of putting brick or slate stones over the middle wall to break things up a bit. We are on a budget but wanted to get suggestions. Thanks!

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

couple of ideas. If you two are handy, you can do all of this yourselves without too much effort.

Remove the big, bulky mantel. sell it. It doesn't fit the size of the box and just doesn't go with the look.

That tv placement is very awkward. If you removed everything from the fireplace, you could mount the tv where the mantel currently is, and it would look much cleaner/smoother.

you need some built in's or consoles of some sort on either side. you will need to look at 'tall fireplace' pictures to get ideas. here are a few:

This is how I picture yours. Do that column all the way up w/a stacked stone or tile. This ledger stone isn't that expensive and it can be done by you two. it's not that difficult.

You could also do something like this. Even Ikea hacks could be put to use here. Notice the tall fireplace w/the tile.

another option is removing everything and perhaps widening the drywall portion above the box. The column will be a bit wider and be perfect for mounting your TV.

I know this is brick, but imagine tile or something similar. TV mounted on mantel. built in shelving on either side. These can be done for next to nothing w/a little DIY and paint.

again,,built-ins and stacked stone all the way up. This tv is on one of the shelves. You could do this on the larger side of yours.

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Comments (19)

PRO
Christine Jahan Designs
9 years ago
You have young kids (right?) !!!

Take that painting above the fireplace down; right now it's creating asymmetry in your room and making that right wall seem even bigger and barer. If you can, get another larger painting and put it on the right wall. You need to create symmetry, so it needs to be big like your tv. :)

Also, get some "wire hiders" to clean up your electronics area. LIKE THESE

Eventually when your kids don't need living room space (I see their colorful toy cabinet), you can get a nice grown-up bookshelf or cabinet to put under your new large painting.

If you really hate the bare area above the fireplace, add some plants like this:

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Amy Walkes Scher thanked Christine Jahan Designs
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Amy Walkes Scher
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you both! The problem is that the wall to the left of the fire place is much smaller than the wall to the right of the fireplace, so it's not symmetrical. You are correct that I have a young child and I really don't like the colorful shelves. I was thinking of trying to hide it in a cute yet functional way. I saw this online. Do you think this would make it look even more cluttered and asymmetrical?
Beth H. :
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I think I have a good idea for you. some built in benches. They aren't that difficult to do yourself with common wood from HD. even using Ikea, it can be done.

doesn't matter if it asymmetrical. this one below would be perfect. If you have the tops lift up, it's good for storing the toys and the kids can sit on top and play.

you could do you fireplace like this (remove the bulky mantel and replace w/your wood one) and mount your tv above it.

on the longer side you could do one of these tall shelves on the far end of the bench.

super budget/DIY ease, something like this:

open shelving with shiplap

https://centsationalstyle.com/2012/06/we-have-a-window-seat/
Amy Walkes Scher thanked Beth H. :
Amy Walkes Scher
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much Beth!
PRO
Christine Jahan Designs
9 years ago
Can you show us different angles in the room? What are on the other sides? That should help me give you another idea.
Amy Walkes Scher
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes. I am not home but will send a better photo or video when I am home later. Thanks to the both of you for your input!
Amy Walkes Scher
Original Author
9 years ago
See attached. We took the painting down. Hopefully this gives a better picture of the space.
kulrn
9 years ago
Gallery wall to Right over storage bench. Tall skinny wall decor over fireplace.
ideas - Polyvore · More Info
https://www.pier1.com/metal-%26-rattan-wall-decor/2156768.html?cgid=wall_art#nav=top&start=1

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PRO
Christine Jahan Designs
9 years ago
Amy, your loft looks totally different from this angle! How many windows do you have there? Can we see?

I like the fireplace without the painting. I'm going to brainstorm some ideas for you.
PRO
Christine Jahan Designs
9 years ago
:)
Amy Walkes Scher
Original Author
9 years ago
Please see attached!
PRO
Christine Jahan Designs
9 years ago
Is the wall opposite to the fireplace just a wall or is there another hallway?
PRO
Milano Doors
9 years ago
Hello. You should paint a fireplace other color, for example white. The picture over a fireplace not absolutely well looks, it needs to be changed too and to hang up above.
PRO
Christine Jahan Designs
9 years ago
Okay, so here's what I came up with:

I would switch the placement of the tv and the kid's play space. For one, it makes the kids play area safer by placing it further away from the stairs. The tv can stay the same height, but on the right side it creates a heavier, denser middle and makes your space look more symmetrical. Can you see what I mean? It's almost as if your fireplace and tv "merge" to make your center larger. I would get a large plant for the space right when you get up the stairs. It will fill up that larger wall side with a lightness to it, which you need. Finally, I'd get a tall and skinny art piece to place above your fireplace.
Amy Walkes Scher thanked Christine Jahan Designs
Amy Walkes Scher
Original Author
9 years ago
Christine Jahan - The wall wall opposite the fireplace is a wall that leads to another hallway. I'd also like to take the mantel off the fireplace and place stone on that 3-d wall where the fireplace lays to look like this..
njay
9 years ago
I like the green marble with the wood. I think the current wall color doesn't work well with the color of the wood stain nor does the gray painting over the mantle work with wall color. Nor with the mantle. I'd suggest that you paint the walls but not gray. Then, remove all the small items from the mantle and find a warmer painting to hang above it.

Changing the mantle could be an expensive undertaking unless you are especially handy. Start with fresh paint and see how it looks before doing something more drastic.
Amy Walkes Scher thanked njay
Amy Walkes Scher
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you. I really want to get rid of the green marble and the wood. We are going to paint the walls white with a few accent walls with gray. We are going to take the painting down from above the fireplace.
PRO
Christine Jahan Designs
9 years ago
Hi Amy, I didn’t see a pic attached to your comment (what you want your fireplace to look like).