It would be very helpful to know what you dislike about the fireplace. The surround? The white tiles? The grout? The decor? Also - can you step back and take a picture of the entire space, and add some pics of the other areas of the room, too?

Thank you for your comment Sammie. The fireplace mantle and sides I used faux wood paints. The fireplace mantle and sides are removable. I put river rock tiles on the inside. I don’t like any of it. It just doesn’t look good. Any advice would be helpful.

Another angle

Another angle

maybe paint it soft black?

Pretty! What about the tile floor?

I agree with lloveMod about painting the wood soft black. Would also change out the white tile hearth to either the river rock or solid slab from one of the colors in the river rock.

Great idea!

Pretty room!

I think painting the surround a soft black would look great. I would also paint the grout a darker grey. Is it possible to change the floor tiles? The white is too white against your rug and other furnishings...you could test a cooler creamy color or soft grey. Re: the decor - I'm not loving the three pictures on that wall with all of the other decor. Try taking everything off the mantel and floor, and move the vase on one side of the picture. That's all you probably need.

Why is the cord running on that wall? Is there a way to hide it? Also, remove the stick from the side of the fireplace.

What do you think?

ooh, I like Sammie's idea of also painting the grout grey. it'll make the stones less busy.

now that I'm seeing your decor style, I really do think the wood part will look good painted soft black. satin or matte.

Great ideas!! Thank you all for your time!

BTW, the stonework was done pretty badly. this all looks like a DIY job covering up some other fireplace under there. so if your budget allows, don't feel badly about ripping this all out. but if a big change is not in your budget, then yeah, try painting and see how it goes.

I love your Nancy Noel artwork.

Thank you! Nancy Noel is my favorite artist. You called it...it definitely is a DYI! It was my first time at a DYI. Nothing is attached to the wall, so I can rip it off easily. I’m on a limited budget so I will have to be the one to replace it with something. Any ideas?

DIY😂

Does the fireplace work? Is it electric? The white tiles don’t work- they should be replaced with a stone slab. I would paint the mantel white and the river rock and grout a dark gray or black. Don’t put anything on the mantel. It’s all too busy. I give you credit for your DIY project!

Thank you Amanda! Yes it’s a real fireplace with an electric insert. When we bought the house the fireplace had the insert already there and tile around it. I tried to up date it but I think I ruined it.

Hi Kathy-

i love the idea of a matte black (or very dark charcoal grey) for the mantel surround. What about painting that wall a soft grey? Combined with changing the tiles as others have suggested, I think it would really pull everything together (furniture, rock, beams, etc.) and subtly dress up the room. Maybe something like:

It has a hint of brown, so it would work well with your upholstery and the rock.

Also, here is my idea for “fixing” the DIY rock (kudos for the effort BTW - you are much braver and more talented than I!). If you can’t evenly chip the overlapping grout/rock from the outside edges of the surround, you could “fake“ a more even edge. I would very carefully and exactly paint the rock/grout surrounding the insert with as close to the same black color as you can find. Ditto for the parts covering the vents (?) at the bottom. Just paint a wide enough perimeter to make it even, no wider. It won’t be perfect, but it will probably look better and not catch your eye. I would at least try it before you rip it all out! And if you move forward with grey paint/stain on the rest of the grout, there won’t be as much of a contrast.

I love it! I think the stone adds in different elements of color from the entire space. If there is one thing I think you change that would make a difference its the grout color.

Thank you all so much! I’ll give it a go. When I’m done I’ll post a picture.

Great!

well I went and put my foot in my mouth. if I had known you did the fireplace, I still would have been honest but maybe a little nicer about it. sorry about that!

it was a good effort, but I can't wait to see the next version!

I take constructive criticism real well. Not personally! I appreciate your opinion.

how is the wood part stained? are the pale streaks bare wood, or is there some kind of limewash involved?

I painted a light grey for the base and used a wood faux tool for the wood look. I really don’t like it!

I think I’m ruining my house🥺

Don’t worry about it! I think it’s awesome that you’re trying new things. That’s how you can really figure out if something works...or not ;). It’s what you’re willing to do next (and maybe again after that) that matters. You have a wonderful home; keep at it. You’ll get there!

Thank you so much! You should see what I did to my kitchen 🙄

not ruined. it's all fixable!

I have to admit that I didn't notice the pic with the beams before. they might not go well with the black fireplace. it might work better to paint them black too. or paint fireplace and beams white. it won't be as dramatic though, and it seems you like to have some drama in your decor. it also seems you're not afraid to experiment. have fun, and you can always paint it again!

Oh come on. You can’t throw a comment like that out there and not follow up with pics! 😉

It was old oak cabinets that I sanded and painted. I bricked up the back wall for a rustic country feel. I took the microwave out of the center upper cabinets and replaced it with a fan. The fan is just sitting there right now so I can see how it will look. I found a kitchen island in a second hand store and painted it to match the cabinets.

I think you did a great job with the kitchen.

Wow. That’s a lot of work. Love the island - you did a great job! Having said that, I would change a couple of things - if you're up to it. First (and easiest) I’d lose the dried whatever on top of the cabinets to the left. If you have drop down cabs, I much prefer nothing on top. Next (and much more involved), I would change the large format backsplash tile. So sorry, but that particular tile always looks like floor tile on the wall IMO. I know carrying the brick all the way down would not be the best option (unfortunately), due to the inevitable nightmarish clean up. Although, I would probably seal the heck out of it and chance it. If you do decide to replace the tile, I would also remove the 4 inch piece.

Oh - and I LOVE the fan. The juxtaposition of the metal with the brick and the painted cabinets is spot on. Nice.

Kathy, your home is lovely. Rather than ripping out the white tile, it is possible to paint it - the Repose Grey is a good suggestion. I have a friend who painted his hearth tile, and it turned out beautifully. Good work in your kitchen! I agree, the backsplash tile looks like floor tile.

I always think I can do it myself and end up making a bigger problem. I tried to remove the big tile and the wall was completely coming off with it so I had to leave it. I don’t like it but don’t know what to do.

Any ideas??

I could go over the tile with brick or is that too much?

Can you brick over tile?

Your kitchen is really lovely. I can’t believe how many DIY projects you’ve taken on! I believe you can tile over tile. A glossy white backsplash tile would probably look good.

I know...it’s scary isn’t it 🤪

I painted a marble surround and hearth once (crappy cheap marble tile, basic builder, didn’t match other finishes). Used a high-adhesion primer, then latex paint. Looked great and held up well. I recently bought a remnant piece of concrete-look quartz and used that on the floor in front of the FP- it cost $125 and looks fantastic.

Don’t beat yourself up- your home is lovely.

Thank you. Great ideas!