Need help with built-in bookshelves and fireplace!

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

Below is our fireplace area, built in 1987 (as if you couldn't tell by looking at it). I am painting the oak trim in the rest of the house white (it is also stained this cheap-looking reddish color). The walls will be BM Revere Pewter (a light greige). I may whitewash the brick, but may leave it alone.

Now what to do with the built-ins and mantel? Paint them white as well? Or go with a darker shade of grey to compliment the walls? I don't want to go too dark as the whole point of this project is to lighten things up. The floorplan is open so I also need to stay pretty neutral.

Taking the shelves down is not an option - my husband is too attached to them and we are not that astute at DIY projects ;) PLEASE HELP! If you think I should go with a color, name suggestions would be great! Thanks! Oh, and please ignore the clutter and the obscenely large TV - I'm working on those ;)

Featured Answer

Tammy Tate Kammerer

13 years ago

Paint cupboard/ mantel white. Paint backsplash of cupboard a pop of color or use fun wallpaper. Have fun!

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Comments (14)

User
13 years ago
I would whitewash this brick ;)
Jessica F thanked User
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Brenda
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I would go white on the shelving and mantle, and either whitewash the brick or maybe paint it grey.

But as for your grey shelving idea, here area couple photos of grey painted shelving from Houzz for your consideration

[houzz=
Home Farm 1 · More Info
]
[houzz=
Contemporary Home Office · More Info
]
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decofriend
13 years ago
I love the crisp white with gray. Some grays work well with a Navajo white which has a hint of cream to it.
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Carolina
13 years ago
My vote goes towards white painted built-ins. Will be a nice contrast with your walls.
Jessica F thanked Carolina
Gina Tirado
13 years ago
Unless you love the brick, I would stucco the fireplace surround adding texture to it with the trowel(paint it a shade darker than your walls so it stands out and maybe paint/stain the bookcases in a lighter color. I would replace the mantel with a large solid piece that stretched from one bookcase to the other, maybe with a natural edging to it versus just straight lines.
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colourlove
13 years ago
i think like the others paint your shelving and cupboards white and the brick a darker shade of the grey than what you will be painting on the walls. It will still definitely lighten things up.
Jessica F thanked colourlove
Martha F
13 years ago
I had something similar in a previous house. I took two raised panel cabinet doors that with just a little tweaking fit perfectly above the fireplace. Then I painted the cabinets the trim color. I left the brick alone, but it would also be pretty in a contrasting grey or taupe. I got lucky and found the doors at a garage sale. But you can buy unpainted doors at the home supply stores and they aren't horribly expensive.
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sandkshouse
13 years ago
I'd paint the cabinets and mantel white. Paint the back wall of the cabinets the wall color. This looks really great. You'll probably want to get glass cut for the top of the cabinets. Otherwise, you'll forever be touching up scratches and dings. As long as you are doing the work, I'd look at putting the tv over the fireplace. This might mean a smaller and/or lower mantel and maybe a smaller tv, but it would give the tv a great built in look, and it would get rid of the asymmetry from having the tv off to the side.
Jessica F thanked sandkshouse
sandkshouse
13 years ago
To continue my thought, some municipalities may have code regarding how close the mantel can be to the firebox.
PRO
Strott & Company, LLC.
13 years ago
I would think about painting the entire wall including the brick, the same color as the walls, except in a satin or semi gloss sheen. The only exception would be to leave the counter tops stained. This will add a bit of warmth to it. You could also think about tiling over the brick, perhaps with a stone similar in color to the paint.
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Bev Lambert
13 years ago
I would remove the mantel, white wash the brick, paint the cabinets/shelves white since all other trim is going to be white. Yes you could wall paper the backs of open shelves or attach mirror tiles to the backs of shelves. Get some grey slate or tile and place on the fireplace bottom (stepped up area) and then were the mantel was use this area to place a large metal (silver colored or painted) piece of sculptural art, this will give a more contemporary look. Good luck and enjoy your final steps of the room.
Jessica F thanked Bev Lambert
Chem K
13 years ago
I like both the suggestions given of painting white or gray bookshelves. Wallpapering the back wall of the shelves in a contracting colour will add interest to it. But the giant tv looks like it is balancing precariously. A swivel wall bracket will sort that out.
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Jessica F
Original Author
13 years ago
Y'all are fabulous! Thanks so much! I'm convinced about white washing the brick! I think I will go with the wall color on the back to give some depth. As for the mantel...I have to check on some things but I would love to put something more like crown molding up there instead of just a bridge between shelves. Yuck!