Please help with our fireplace face-lift!

12 years ago

My fiancé and I just bought our first home and we love our little fireplace but it doesn't really fit in with our style.

Our living room has an old, vintage look to it. (You can see from the decorations.)

I'm not sure if we should just paint the brick, or if some kind of overlay would be better. We'll eventually get new tile for the floor part. We do have a budget of a'few hundred dollars'.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

samsamyd

12 years ago

I'm not good on 'fits the style' judgments, but I think the main issue is that there is no sense of depth in the brick surround. It appears from your photo to be very well constructed, but all at the same plane, making it feel flat.

If there was some way to emphasize the bricks that are set verticall y( the 2 sets of 3 bricks about a foot up on each leg, and the central bar of brick across the center top) so that it had the impression of a different depth/plane (ie, looked recessed or looked like it stuck out a bit) from the other brick, you might find it much more interesting.

Before doing any thing that would permanently alter the brick, i'd get some "command strips", a bit of tinted film, or thin molding trim and mock up a variation on the brick to see if it helped. You can't keep combustible material that close to the firebox, but if you like the look of some of the bricks tinted dark, then you'd know what to do a 'wash' or paint treatment on while you accumulate savings for change.

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Comments (23)

PRO
Barbara Krai Interior Design
12 years ago
For an overlay with a lot of character, check out Rockwood Pottery Company - www.rockwood.com They have been making amazing designs since 1880. Save up a few more hundred and do it right. You'll have a real show piece!
Megan E.
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Barbara! I'll look into it :)
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deborita81
12 years ago
Rockwood.com gets you to a management company. Did you mean something else ?
PRO
Ideal Design Elements LLC (iDe)
12 years ago
I would paint it for now, probably a white shade, to keep within your budget.
Would like to see a better photo of the wall space above fireplace-
Could add accent color (putty) or maybe tile that wall. Sample:
User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I would paint the brick white and put a nice vintage black fireplace screen
Family Room · More Info

Dancing Scrolls Fireplace Screen · More Info
PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
12 years ago
I think that cladding your fireplace in slate tile could give you a great look for not too much money. You might even be able to do it yourselves, but could save yourself lots of trouble by hiring an experienced tile setter.

I suggest you limit yourself to just 3 items on the mantel. Your look appears more hodgepodge than vintage, but that can be cured with some bookshelves on which to exhibit your collectibles. I like the clock, but I'd place it off center, and then select two other items, perhaps the books and the statue placed together toward the other side.

I believe that Barbara meant Rookwood Pottery, famous for their arts and crafts style tile.
Pine Lake 2 · More Info
Megan E.
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you Karen. Hadn't thought about tiling the wall! Here's a photo above the fireplace. I plan on painting the walls darker.

Margo, thank you for the link! White would look nice, I think, if I do paint it.
User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I would fill that wall space with a nice vintage mirror;) rest arrow on pic to enlarge
Stacey Costello Design · More Info
Megan E.
Original Author
12 years ago
Great suggestions- I realized how cluttered it looked after I took the photo! I'll take your suggestions and mess around with it.
Megan E.
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes, I have been on the hunt for something to put there!
User
12 years ago
Well, vintage is a rather cluttered look;)
kovar
12 years ago
Paint it white, and put the money towards your new floors.
Megan E.
Original Author
12 years ago
The floors are fine for now- there's no pet stains, and they've been recently glossed. Focusing on the fireplace right now ;)
PRO
Ideal Design Elements LLC (iDe)
12 years ago
I would definitely recommend getting drapes for these (2) windows -keep shutters-and basically have one or two panels on each window-but pull them to one side of each. Here is something I did for a client because her windows were so close to the fireplace.
I also did (2) colors... Very subtle but is very popular now (and helped match up w/ color scheme). Pull curtains away from fireplace on both windows. Also important to install drapery rods as close to ceiling as possible as this will make a big difference as well.
cindinfocus
11 years ago
Paint your brick with a lime wash so It will breathe. You could use more depth in your mantle. Here's what we did
cindinfocus
11 years ago
My husband made a box with a front, top and sides. We then set it on top of the old mantle, which was deep enough to support it. A shorter depth would require you to screw it down from the top. We left ours open at the bottom, but it could easily be enclosed.
PRO
COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
11 years ago
The mantel trim is a little skimpy, but otherwise it looks great. Paint will help freshen it up, but please don't cover the brick work.
bungalowmo
11 years ago
I wouldn't paint it. I'd get a beefier mantle in unpainted wood. Maybe made from a barn beam.

I like cindinfocus lime wash idea more than any paint idea.
dclostboy
11 years ago
Think original comment meant Rookwood...I'd never heard of Rockwood, so I tried to check out too. This fireplace was originally brick...the stacked stone is from RealStone and works nicely with midcentury. (I also had the opening cut out, as the arch reminded me of Hansel and Gretel type oven). You could also look at stone tile as overlay.
dclostboy
11 years ago
Depending on how much fun you want to have, I did this broken mosaic in my restaurant. It looks modern and throw back at the same time. Was about 8 tons of marble, but all seconds or commercial grade. Took a while and caused several headaches, but I love the outcome.
drememon
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I'm almost always on the other side of the fence when painting brick is mentioned. I'm there again.

Your fireplace is really lovely. Great brickwork. The "mantel" is someone's addition/replacement, I'm sure. The bright white is awful. Try to find the mid-tone of the brick, and paint it that color.

Someone already "modernized" this fireplace with the mantel, which is likely throwing you off.

You like vintage, you said. This fireplace is true vintage. And has lovely workmanship. Fix the mantel, and try living with it for awhile. It may grow on you.
drememon
10 years ago
OOps, old post, I see. What did you and your fiance decide? Sorry for year too late advice.