Ideas for this fireplace/wall? (pic included)

[CheshireVal]

We are under contract for our first house. Assuming all goes well with the inspection and final loan approval, we close at the end of the month!

There is a gas fireplace thingie in the living room. I feel like it needs..... something. I was thinking of painting, but I'm not sure what to do. Would it look good if I painted this wall a different color? Should I do the whole wall, or just the part under the mantle?

Ideas?? I don't want to do any major remodeling (nothing too hard or expensive!) But there has to be something that can spruce this up.

 

[FroggyinArk]

tile up to the mantle, set back to hte lower edge of the mantle, or a faux stone painted on the entire wall, with a mirror or decorative iron work above the mantle. marble tile would look nice with tan wall, maybe in a white with marbling to accent your furniture?

 

[Stucas]

if you want this to be the focal wall either make it the accent color of the room, or make it a shade or two darker than the rest of the room. Also since the fireplace is very low under the mantle I would put something large on the mantle. Either a nice large vase or a painting. It would make the space look less empty.

Good luck with the new house!!!

-Lauren

 

[TheGottis]

First thing that came to mind - lower the mantle - then tile.

 

[Magickndm]

Yes, the mantle does look too high. You could either do a brick or stone veneer if you really wanted a visual impact. Good luck!

 

[CheshireVal]

Thanks for the ideas. I like the idea of tiling.

Is that difficult?

 

[MareQ]

You can get granite tiles or a complementary ceramic tile at Home Depot - I would do a row all around the fire box - then lower that mantle to meet the stone - It's way too high up IMO - looks a bit silly. OR - Take off the mantle and get a wood mantle/firebox surround like this.. http://www.fireplacemantels.com/?source=googleaw&kwid=fireplace mantle&tid=exact If you do that - the fireplace will really stand out - and you'll have room over the mantle for a plasma, or a GREAT mirror, picture etc.

You can paint that piece of wall a contrasting color - but with it being on an angle like that - you're not going to have an easy time getting crisp and clear lines for the paint. You're better off dressing up the fireplace itself instead.

 

[Keli]

I would either lower the mantle or put in some sort of ceramic decorative piece in the center and tile around that and the firebox. Because I agree with everyone else, that mantle looks too high unless there is another visual interest there.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yes, the mantle does look too high. You could either do a brick or stone veneer if you really wanted a visual impact. Good luck!

I agree the mantle is too high.

I would do stone veneer to make it the focal point of the room.

 

[Crankyshank]

I definitely agree with lowering the mantle and tiling. You could even do a faux stone instead. It's really easy to do. Home depot has classes, and I would recommend a magazine called "Family Handyman". It has tons of how to's and great ideas.

 

[CheshireVal]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

I have a feeling I'll be spending lots of time at Home Depot in the next few months!!!

 

[redshoes]

That looks like a very pretty house! I would love to see more pictures.

As for the mantle, I would lower it. It kind looks like it hanging out in no man's land. Tiling would look great and wouldn't be too expensive. Good luck.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Has the builder already finished and gone???

Okay,
I agree, the fireplace needs much more than the little framing that is there. And, to beat all, that looks like wood-moulding. Ummm, yep, flamable wood molding around a fireplace... I mean, I know it is gas... but, the idea is to at least look like a real fireplace, right????

I see the tiled hearthstone... could you, or the builder, get more of that tile, and tile up the wall to the mantlepiece? that would be ideal.

My mantlepiece is much lower, but I do think that some do use high mantlpieces, and then put like tall candlesticks etc.. it makes for a dramatic look that way. So, how high you want the mantlepiece is really a personal preference.


In fact, if you are able to use the matching tile, this would give you a more dramatic vertical eye-flow, instead of low and boxy.

Have fun with all the decisions and decorating!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

I have a feeling I'll be spending lots of time at Home Depot in the next few months!!!

Maybe Andrew Dan Jumbo (hubba hubba) will surprise you there and let you take him home for the weekend. Has anyone else seen that show? If I met Andrew Dan Jumbo at my Home Depot, I think he would be doing some outdoor projects at my house, and it gets awfully hot, so....

 

[Monte Cristo]

Place your brand new 40 inch plasma with 1080i resolution on that mantle. No renovation needed!