Either paint or leave iron fire grate bare????
Brendan C
5 years ago
I have always painted my fire grate in the living room black even when I had a white surround. I now have a Farrow and Ball Blue Black chimney breast as a feature (rest of room a light blue colour) and a black black surround in heatproof paint. I am sanding the iron grate and liking the look of it bare (not 100% sure as at the beginning of this litte project). Obviously I can paint it jet black again but can I leave it bare (natural) if it looks right by putting a clear coating on it? Any other ideas welcome regarding the whole thing.
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Comments (592)Hi ...Zaz I am not sure what went on here in Houzz .... While I have been away ..(sneezing coughing sweating) Whatever it was Move on from it !! as best you can ... Otherwise these things eat away at you ... And being on a downer that's not good for anyone ..........including you .... You have a Talent truly you do Lots see it ...... Even if you can't ....... So Put it toooooo good use If not for yourself ........ Then for others so they might enjoy it Seeing others smile from Something you have done Is gift.... I know I love toooooo Give that gift of a smile ..... Be it from writing or resisting my Poems Playing my little ukuele Painting So dust yourself off there's work toooooooo be done :@) Get your a@£& In that kitchen ... Today is the start of a new and better year ...... Of which only You Can make happen !!...See MoreRoom layout - ideas?
Comments (25)Take out sofa, use beanbags and those blow up seats for their friends. Coloured rugs for tumbling and crawling on. Supersoft teddy bear blankets so they can curl up. Add in one of those soft blanket boxes for toy storage and so you have somewhere soft to perch when you are with them. Paper half way up the wall in the wall paper that kids can draw on, so they can decorate in whatever colour they like and you won't mind. A childs lift up desk, bookcase and some crazy lamps in weird colours. Then close the door, collapse on the sofa that you have moved, breathe a sigh of relief and thank your lucky stars that you have another room for the kids to go to. (Grab wine and pretend they aren't yours for half an hour! ;-) )...See MoreAdvice on living room
Comments (6)Hello aoifej, Firstly that is a good sized room... The fireplace is very interesting indeed! It is the main focus and so perhaps you want to consider painting it a darker shade still. The base a very dark shade of charcoal so it is separate and looks like a base stand....... Put a fabulous mirror over it... Something simple in design and squared or full circle like a convex. The red and wood box shelving, don't discard but consider painting it and then you could, if you have enough create a screen/divider for floor area arranged with gaps so it's not solid. Or mount in an interesting configuration on the walls for storage, and painted to match the walls... This then gives you something textured on the walls... that is somewhat bolder and would sit well with the fireplace which is really fantastic.. The sofa is the wrong period style for this room really as it's not old enough or rustic..for french style.. Also the french doors are very modern, so the room takes on a far more modern feel... So you will find it hard to make it sit right such as it is..... It would be best to place it to face the fireplace and leave the french doors free.... You want to be able to have them open so you can easily walk outside... So try situating it in the bay window but not too far in... You may like to have a console table behind the sofa in the window with a table lamp... To take the ornate feel of the sofa away and to make it blend more... Try a sheet over the entire sofa... Then add a throw over the back and both arms... Something you could layer perhaps to disguise it's design more... I think then it will sit better in the room... You then at least can use the sofa, whilst you work out what to do as a sheet will protect it, should you wish to sell it... but I think if you keep it, as it is you will struggle, so re-upholster would be my suggestion.. So have it upholstered in a dark plain fabric and a colour to blend with the wooden frame, charcoal or something dark like mole, earthy tones........ This too then makes it really solid rather than ornate... It will help to blend it into the room and allow you to coordinate furniture to go with it.. Old and new can sit well together if you know how and what to do to make it work..... So some ideas for you to consider if you modify the sofa accordingly.... With a bit of artistic licence as I have used the fireplace as a focus twice and brought the garden in.. simply to cover your sofa, so I could add a similar one in a darker colour to show you what I mean.. I have added a whole array of styles to illustrate how you can integrate many styles to create something interesting.. In reality you will have far more space... as you won't be looking at duplicates! It's done very quickly merely to offer you some ideas as to how to work with what you have, rather than start again! Good design is about working with rather than against what someone has... ... NB: The hare pictured is merely for styling purposes as I like to use it.... BUT I would always recommend natural expiration or accidental expiration for taxidermy as opposed to acquiring by any other less humane means! . : ))...See MoreTo hang or not to hang pictures ??
Comments (33)I would move the sofa to the opposite side of the room (providing there is not a door on that side, cannot see but a small over lap wouldn't hurt) move the armchair at far end of room near to the fireplace at a slight angle, either toward the fire if not watching tv or the other way if something good on the telly x. (everyone can enjoy the fire then). Move the TV from the corner beside the fireplace to the corner where the smaller arm chair sits at present in the photo. Then less focus on TV and more focus on your gorgeous fire place, but TV still accessible to watch. This would then free space either side of fireplace to hang pictures. if you enjoy your art work hang it, it makes your home your own. I would place similar themed pictures of the same size just below the level of the top of the lintel so the eye focuses on this strong line first, at the same height on either side of the fireplace. Follow this top line of frames around the wall and hang other pictures on the walls between the windows on each side of room (behind sofa in new position) The TV unit is quite large, perhaps painting it in a very slightly darker shade than you walls will detract attention but only if this is not a well loved piece of furniture. An oversize (or largeish) footstool in the middle of the room to put your feet on when watching the fire and double up as a coffee table with a beautiful large tray left on top to put your coffee on, flowers or a small collection of books. If large enough the person in the armchair could put their feet up too. Just an idea. No idea of you view outside or where your power points are. If you want to further soften the room contemporary pelmets above your blinds would be nice in the same fabric and picture lights above your pictures create lovely ambient lighting glow. lovely room though...See MoreBrendan C
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