Update fireplace ideas

12 years ago

I want to redo the mantle and brick. Should I paint the brick white? Looking for ideas. FYI. This is a wood burning fireplace and we use it a lot.

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sstarr93

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

This is already an attractive fireplace, and potentially a really nice fireplace.
Smashing it is a very poor idea.
Changing the mantel, in particular, could enormously improve the look. The current mantel is too formal for the casual, rustic brick. Go for either a stone mantel for a quality look, or a hand-hewn beam mantel for a current rustic look.

I take it that there are hunters in your family; but I find myself counting venison chops when I look at the wall of antlers. Could you have them made into a couple of large, rustic chandeliers for the room? They would set off the fireplace beautifully. S*

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Comments (13)

PRO
User
12 years ago
Smash it all! Remove it and you could create a great floating fireplace with a clean fresh design aesthetic. Keep the antlers but I feel placing them in an organised grid pattern would have more impact.
solincia
12 years ago
I actually really like the brick. What does the rest of the room look like? At the moment I think the issue is your eye looks everywhere when looking at this. You need a focal point. I'd remove all of the antlers, remove the items from the hearth, find a picture or mirror as a resting place for the eye, then reevaluate. At first glance, i would paint the mantle in a deep espresso, distressed ebony finish, not paint the brick.
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leahcmorgan
12 years ago
Love the brick! I'd leave it alone. It looks worn and has great character. I think the mantle would look great a dark gray or a blackish brown.
Melissa E
12 years ago
I think your fireplace, brick and mantle are beautiful- what isn't working are all of those pair of antlers. They are overwhelming, it is just too much.
Angela
12 years ago
Would not paint thst brick....its stunning!
PRO
Creatively Yours Custom Inc.
12 years ago
Could you take a picture of the rest of that room? I would like to see your style and your colors and then could make more specific recommendations. I was thinking of painting that fireplace wall in an accent color. I would change the mantle but again I am not sure of your colors or style.
Allison .
12 years ago
I once painted my brick fireplace white, and loved it. If your fireplace has glass doors it will stay white. If it's an open fireplace or just a screen, the white will get smoky really quick.
groveraxle
12 years ago
Holy moly!
Rina
12 years ago
Groveraxle, there you go again. Next time you're in Africa, dear, we must have a quiet little chat. Camomile tea, perhaps? (Love you to bits, really I do.)

However, the fireplace. The brick is lovely. Sorry, but give those antlers a decent burial and get rid of all the stuff. Depending on what's up in the rest of the room, perhaps paint the mantlepiece a dark colour. Hang art above it -- you might like something like these, from fineart.com. I like Groveraxle's dark candlesticks, too.
Rina
12 years ago
PS, in the candlesticks, orange candles for fall, red for winter, light green for spring, white for summer? (This has nothing to do with repainting the fireplace but I can't see a fireplace without wanting to fiddle with the decoration.)
Zohreh Alaghemand
12 years ago
I had the same issue when remodeling my house. I had a rather large fireplace but I changed the look by placing wood shelving around
PRO
Amanda Immurs- painting and faux finishing
12 years ago
try re-glazing the fireplace rather then painting it. that way you can get the colour and tones you need to match your design. painted brick can look flat.