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janelle_hicks

Wainscoting vs Fireplace vs wall?

5 years ago

First pic is the room before rehab. It's a small living room. The floors have been replaced with the same floor as the kitchen photo, and the ac unit is now a window. Paneling on other walls is now painted white. The kitchen is next door. Would you paint the wainscoting white? Dark grey? Green? And should fireplace be same color or different? Should wall be same color or different? Or I thought of wallpaper? The fireplace ( nonfunctional) has green tile in the fire box area. Last photo is a potential wallpaper option.

Comments (22)

  • 5 years ago

    What wall would you put wall paper on? You have a lot of wood with the flooring now. It appears the "wainscoting" is darker than the walls? The fireplace wall with the wainscoting and windows has enough going on, no paper there please. Is the fireplace box worth keeping? I am not a fan of the current paint job on it. Maybe a current pic with the new flooring and distracting window "treatments" removed would be helpful. Any inspiration pics?

  • 5 years ago

    I can't get a current pic because there is a stack of materials blocking the way. It's basically white and light colored wood now, except that wall ( with the fp) hasn't been touched yet. The fireplace and the "wainscoting" is all getting painted for sure, just how do I decide what colors? Sconces are bring removed too. Basically I'm not sure, if the wainscoting goes white should the wall above it go a color? Should the fireplace be the same color as the wall? Same color as the wainscoting?

  • 5 years ago

    I would probably paint both wainscoting and wall the same white as the paneling. If I had more energy and/or money, I would remove the wainscoting, as I think it is odd to have full wall paneling on two (or three) walls and half height paneling (and is it the same type of paneling or different?) on one wall. I also don't like where the wainscot hits the window--hence my suggestion to minimize rather than highlight the wainscot.


    If I had the time and money to deal with the wainscot, I would probably take out the nonfunctional fireplace as well, since all it's doing is making it harder to lay out furniture. But that's me.

  • 5 years ago

    If you can’t remove the wainscoting from the divided wall I agree to paint the whole wall white not divide it further with different colors. Depending on how much variation is in the green fireplace stone you mentioned there’s a case to be made for painting the fireplace green, but it’s really dependent on how the tile looks. Maybe you can post a picture once the wall behind it is painted and decide on the final fireplace color after that.

  • 5 years ago

    The more I look at it, if it’s all one color the wainscoting that’s partway on the one wall feels like a normal, cute little quirk in an older house. If it’s painted a contrasting color or emphasized by wallpaper the proportions feel off. I don’t think you need to remove it but don’t emphasize it.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Let's talk about the fireplace, first. I don't see green tile in the fire box, but functioning or not, you want to make it look authentic. So, install a hearth before you put the flooring down. Just a slab of marble or granite, cut to fit...not over the top expensive.


    Regardless of whether the fireplace is working or not, it still is your focal point.



    Using this photo as inspiration, paint the brick white/white hearth; paint the wainscoting a color which works with the new floor.

  • 5 years ago

    Ok I don't know if anyone will see this...but here is an update. Room has been painted solid white. Should I do wallpaper or no? Please ignore the ness we are still setting up

  • 5 years ago

    Wallpapers everywhere or just fireplace wall?

  • 5 years ago

    Modpod,maybe just the fireplace wall upper half

  • 5 years ago

    Right now any awkward proportions disappeared. I’d skip the wallpaper. I really love how it’s coming along, thanks so much for updating!

  • 5 years ago

    I'd hold off from wallpapering just yet. Set things up and see how you like it. I love the paper you chose, but you might like the crispness set against your fun colors in your rug and furniture without the added pattern. You could also use the paper as just framed in a frame above the fireplace as artwork.
    It's looking really great!:

  • 5 years ago

    Do you guys have thoughts on curtains? Plain white? I have the solid light green but I'm not sure. I could do a pattern sort of like the wallpaper if I don't use the wallpaper? I was thinking just to put a curtain on the big window behind the sofa, the fireplace windows just look into backyard so they don't really need curtains.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Hello! I upload you reference image.

    I invite you to look at some of my 3D.

    If you want to go a little deeper, contact me.




    Some of my 3D, it can serve as a reference.

  • 5 years ago

    Janelle, you might need to buy a few options and are what looks best for the right mood. The pattern could be fun, the white could be easy or a lighter tone from furniture/ rug could be the one.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Ok, now that I see another view of the small windows, curtains would probably be ok on them too.

  • 5 years ago

    Are your curtains on the couch? I see that same green in the rug. I think it might be a bit off with the couch, but sometimes that is interesting. (Think pink and red.) So I would put them up. I would leave the small windows bare for now. You could do simple sheer white on a tension rod to fit inside the windows even with the green on the larger windows. I think I would want some color on the larger windows rather than white. You'll see once the green curtain go up.

    As for the pattern, as much I like it, I would rather additional pattern coming from art and objects. Some greenery would also be nice. Love your style!

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Janelle, just ran across your post and love what you are doing. Did a rough mock up to show you how doing all wallpaper will be very dramatic and wonderful. Also adding blocks of white is like adding yogurt to a spicey dish. It helps balance things out. I added a wide white matt black and white photo over mantel, white drapery and a white sheepskin throw for sofa. Adding texture is great touch too. Then come back with small black crystal chandelier draped like a end table lamp. Just for that unexpected whimsical factor. I added some colorful small room inspiration photos too. Enjoy!

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    wainscoting is too tall.

  • 5 years ago

    Ok here is the after!

  • 5 years ago

    Really cute! I would keep an eye out for something larger over the fireplace and hang it so a little bit of it hangs over the wainscoting. Since the proportions of it aren’t ideal, and now it’s all painted white, just completely ignore it on that wall. You don’t need to hang your mirror or art above it, if that makes sense. Although I’m also a little short so I’m biased and think most people should hang their art a little lower ;) thanks for posting your update!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Looking so much better! I would center the little bookcases with the windows they're under for balance. They'll never fake it as built-ins anyway, so go for symmetry, and replace them with something substantial when you can afford to. The piece over the fireplace is too small. Should be about the size of the firebox opening. Art or other hangings look best if centered 5' above the floor or hung 5" above furniture. Pieces feel balanced if 60-75% of the width of the furniture under them or the wall behind them. Here are some tips on curtains and lamps. Your lampshade is all wrong for that lamp. It should be larger and come down lower on the neck of the base. Can you move the sofa away from the window? The coffee table can center on the firebox opening with the sofa pulled away from the wall and no more than 18" from the table. Or just resolve to use the table with the sofa and close enough to be reached by the sofa sitters.





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