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Fireplaces Design Dilemma Living Rooms

Fireplace ideas

5 years ago

This is the fire in our living room. I need to like it.
We can’t remove it so I’m thinking I might paint it silver and add some sort of mantelpiece.
Does anybody have any suggestions on what I could do to make it nicer please?

Or where I could source a nice surround.
We will also add some jazzy wallpaper.

Thankyou.

Featured Answer

rachelmidlands

5 years ago

I would use tiles:) There’s some gorgeous designs and patterns out there or you could use stone or even wood effect tiles. Keep them the width of the hearth, halfway up or ceiling height and a chunky mantel to emphasize the fire. If you did use patterned tiles however I think these would need to be the main focal point rather than wallpaper. Here’s some ideas (click to enlarge):

Comments (18)

PRO
Christie's Interiors
5 years ago
Could You change the bottom to a slab of marble maybe? Candles or log rolls at the side.
PRO
i-architect
5 years ago
You could try reclamation yards if you're looking for something older and of a period. You could get a big chunky piece of wood. You could try tiles.

If you really don't like it and don't plan to use it but can't afford to remove it at the moment but will in the future, then you could paint it all the same colour as the wall. It's a very strong contrast to its surroundings at the moment. If you painted the wall a stronger colour then it would have a similar effect of reducing it's visual impact.

You have lots of choices.

To help you decide then you might want to ask yourself what it is at the moment that you don't like about it. To help us help you then we would need to know the answer to that question and why you can't remove it. If you use it or not. What style of room are you looking to create. Does it have a period style at the moment that you want to protect - I'm assuming not because it looks very modern.
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Thank you for your comment, The fireplace looks so bare, originally there was a huge surround and I couldn't believe the size of the actual grate when it was all removed. I had wondered if I should have had the piece of granite hearth extended to the wall and built a narrow bookcase by the chair. I will definitely get a mantel. No tv yet, don't know where to put it,? There is a tv point in the corner to the left hand side of the couch, just under the window. Thanks again,
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Seeing your love of geometrics and clean lines, would you consider adding some interest and texture with a geometric pattern tile, topped with a beech (is that the material in your alcove units?) mantle shelf? Very modern, but also very custom and interesting. At the moment, the space is quite sparse (but gorgeous!) and this might help warm things up a bit? There are also some amazing turkish tiles around now (2nd pic) that would add even more colour, but that might be a bit much for you? I would love it though!
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Georgina W
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi okay I will try to answer.
I don’t like that it looks a bit haphazard on the wall and that it is not central to the room. We rarely use it but removing it will be costly as it will involve plaster work and filling in the gaps in the floor, and then we won’t have a fire anymore.
The room is not period at all. We are about to redecorate. We have a navy velvet sofa on order and are thinking of making this wall a feature wall with wallpaper. Maybe geometric.
I would like the fireplace just to look a bit more planned in. At the moment, it just looks so random.
Please excuse the mess!
Thankyou for your comments. Hope my answers help
Georgina W
Original Author
5 years ago
It also annoys me that it’s on a sunken chimney breast. It just looks so random on a flat wall.
minipie
5 years ago
I would choose a white or black surround in a plain fairly modern style - painted wooden are cheapest. There will be a space between the black insert and the surround, you could paint this the same colour as the walls, or tile the space for a more period look. A mirror (maybe round?) above the surround may help it look more planned.

Does your sofar face the fireplace? Could it?
minipie
5 years ago
*sofa
PRO
User
5 years ago
I'd make a 'fake' cast iron surround out of MDF and tile it with tiles. It's really not that difficult. If you stick a handful of sand in with your black paint it dries with a rough texture and looks a bit more like cast iron. Give it a really light dusting of a light grey / silver spray paint and it will gleam like iron.

I made the insert and fire surround to go round this disused fireplace and then we filled it with logs, but you've already got a fire, so even better.

If you then mask up your wall a foot or so either side of your fireplace and paint it the same colour as your sofa, it will really tie in well with the room .
Georgina W
Original Author
5 years ago
Rachel. I LOVE THIS IDEA!! Thankyou so much for the photos. I think we will tile up to the ceiling and sack off the wallpaper.
This is a really great way to make a feature out of something so useless.
I will keep you posted x
Jules Mc
5 years ago
That's a, fabulous idea from Rachel. I think with a shelf (mantle) over too it really grounds it and looks more finished off. Really like the black and white tile though. Perfect for your geometric idea. Good luck
Jules Mc
5 years ago
Black and cream I think? Had another look!
PRO
User
5 years ago
Loving the tiles all the way up, great.
HU-505288300
5 years ago
For me it is the ceiling to floor tiled wall that can transform this fireplace, like on the pictures above. f the wall was to stay as it is, I'd change the fireplace hearth surround to a more compact one as it seems to take too much space as it is at the moment. I think that grey fireplace will work better than black here. Just an idea.
Georgina W
Original Author
4 years ago
I know it’s been ages but I thought I’d post an update of what we did.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.
Georgina W
Original Author
4 years ago
Try again
E D
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Looking good! Can you perhaps share a photo showing more of the room?

I'm also curious where you've placed the TV.
Georgina W
Original Author
4 years ago
Here
E D
4 years ago
Yes. Looking good.

And nice selfie! :)

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