Horrid orange rock fireplace and bookshelves with cabinets!

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We're in the processes of remodeling our home that we bought as a fixer upper. Our biggest challenge is in the living room with our big, ugly, dirty looking no matter how many times you try to clean it fireplace. Add in the outdated, oddly placed book shelves with cabinets you have one big eye sore! The book shelves with cabinets are odd to use due to the rock step that is very narrow in front of it. It's not really enough room to step up on and really gets in the way of functionality.

What I want to change: the color of the rock, update the mantle piece, remove book shelve and cabinets, add shiplap and hanging shelving, decorate with large ornate pots or something of the like to fill in space at the bottom?

Other changes being made to the room: 20+ yr old carpet has been removed, snap together laminate flooring (wood style) will be placed, trim & walls will be painted.

This living room is gorgeous with a tall pitched ceiling, and a north facing wall almost completely taken up by large windows. There is a lot of natural light in here which I love, however the natural light is lost on how ugly this fireplace is.

Any ideas? What would you do?? Would you dry brush for a subtle change or would you go for it and completely paint over it?

Featured Answer

JustDoIt

8 years ago

Sorry, but I like it. Paint the bookcases white along with the mantle:

Family Room · More Info

Maybe tone it down by painting the bookcases a darker complementary color:

Fireplace Seating · More Info

Paint the rock and the bookcases white:

Transitional Living Room · More Info

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Comments (9)

Suzy T
8 years ago
Sounds like you are on the right track. Can you remove the rock completely and replace it? You would be able to change the size of the fireplace if you wanted.
Olivia Hinkle
Original Author
8 years ago
That would be my dream! But I'm afraid the cost would be too great. We still have a kitchen and master bath to remodel as well. So unfortunately, I think we have to sacrifice getting rid of the rock.
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Kicksychick
8 years ago
It doesn't look dirty to me, but if it's as bad as you say, I would tear out the whole thing and start from scratch. You may be able to salvage and re-use the bookcases and mantle since they appear to be in good shape. Replace the stone and the fireplace insert.
jpp221
8 years ago
I’d think you could panel it over, then paint the panel and bookcases out (I can’t believe I said that, I’m forever defending wood against the HGTV-all-wood-must-be-painted mindset).
jpp221
8 years ago
Oh, and paint out the baseboards and window frames too. They are too skimpy, like little twee matchsticks pasted about the room. Painted, they’ll step back a bit and be fine.
Olivia Hinkle
Original Author
8 years ago
@FinallyHome...

I actually really love that first photo! That's a beautiful way to frame this style of rock. I just couldn't see it in my mind so that photo was super helpful!
JustDoIt
8 years ago
I looked at the 1st picture again and just noticed their use of green in the bookcases and fireplace. Brings it all together.
Beth H. :
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
can you take a regular pic without the pan effect?

why don't you guys just demo that entire wall? if you're taking out the bookshelves and hate the rock, just demo the entire thing. then put up some cement board and tile it with something you like. either do the whole wall, or dry wall the portion where you took down the book shelves. It really isn't a big deal to do yourselves.

it's utterly ridiculous to hate something so much, but because you have more expensive things to do, you're going to live with this and paint it (?) yuk. grab some friends, a bunch of hammers, and put on some BlackSabbath or Metallica.

but, before you do that, tape off the entire area, except that wall, get a paint sprayer and spray everything white. even the bookcases. (tape off the black firebox guard thing too) maybe that will look better.