Need help for this big brick fireplace wall

8 years ago

How should I modernize this fireplace wall? I was thinking to cover it with stacked stone or to drywall over it to make it a more traditional fireplace? There is a one foot deep brick hearth going the whole length of the room as well. HELP please!

Featured Answer

tfswest

8 years ago

You may find stone rather aggressive for indoor use other than in an Adirondack cabin, or regrettably fake looking. You might try sheetrock, but I would be careful not to go too historical-traditional in the setting of those sliders and sloped ceiling.

There is always the option of painting the brick itself; thick white paint was fairly popular in the mid-century modern houses that had features similar to yours.

If you like the lightness painting brings to the wall, but not the brick texture, you can always sheetrock over it.

Leaving the hearth as is, brick all the way across, would work fine, and provide a nice place for big potted plants to soften and cheer the effect of white brick with white carpet.

It is an airy and cheerful space, and you are sure to succeed!

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Comments (23)

Susan Davis
8 years ago
Go onlione and check out Candice Olson family rooms and fireplaces; she had done some great looks for fireplaces over the years!
ritting28
8 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/235188
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ritting28
8 years ago
Paint it a solid color. http://houzz.com/photos/699141
PRO
Parishi amin
8 years ago
Sometimes jus painting it white and installing espresso shelf which is bout 2" thick to replace existing shelf will dress it up completely different... Not sure what is the room colour.... Else I would tile it to match can with existing interiors..:. If budget is criteria.. Tile only around fireplace n then wall paper rest where shelf divides the two...
ritting28
8 years ago
Paint the brick.
http://houzz.com/photos/699141
taraleighg
8 years ago
Working on a tight budget? Paint it parchment (not true white)…and put in a heavier more substantial French or Belgian oak mantle. It's a big massive Wall. The balance of soft white and hefty thick Belgian Oak will go with you you have going on now (from what I can tell from this picture).
PRO
Alexis Nielsen Interiors
8 years ago
Hi Julie! You have a lot of options here, depending on budget. You can start by narrowing the width of the fireplace. Generally you leave about 15"-21" of tile/stone around the firebox, so you can definitely lose a lot of that brick (provided there isn't anything back there except framing). You can put up a three piece mantle, lose the existing mantle and drywall the top.Then you can lose the hearth and make one so that it sits just in front of the fireplace (you may need to replace the carpet though, or patch underneath). But the tv is larger that the firebox - any chance to move it? It looks top heavy. Also make sure your fire doesn't get too hot for your tv - have you tested it?
Julie Brown thanked Alexis Nielsen Interiors
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
8 years ago
Julie! Check this discussion about painting fireplace https://www.houzz.com/discussions/i-finished-painting-my-big-brick-fireplace-dsvw-vd~768838
Julie Brown thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
spraguec
8 years ago
I would paint the entire fireplace brick white.
Next, beef up the mantle both thickness and length with a rustic, antique look - perhaps add corbels too.
I would remove the small firebox insert and replace it with a larger, all-encompassing spark-guard screen. It's a timeless look and bridges both formal and rustic. They are not expensive.
On the raised hearth, I would select 12 x 12 x 4" box cushions (one or two on either side for both extra seating and to visually soften and warm all the hard surfaces. This will be inviting to enjoy your sunny windows. If it works, add a throw cushion or two as well. Select color from the rest of the room to tie it all together.
Keep mantle bric-a-brac to a minimum (ex. no more than 3 pieces) so it does not compete or block the tv.
Julie Brown thanked spraguec
spraguec
8 years ago
I forgot to say....
For window treatments, go with Roman shades but hang them well above the windows - this will bridge the scale of the massive fireplace to the smaller windows. Also, hanging the shades high allows maximum light into the room.
Another option would be to install a broad valance in the same fashion but add drop down shades if you require privacy from time to time....otherwise leave them hidden until needed.
sandradclark
8 years ago
Be absolutely sure before you paint the brick as there is no turning back. I could see an off-white color on it. Add a much deeper, beefier mantle. Add the cushions as suggested by spraguec. I would go with grommet top or clip top drapes to hang as high as you can & take them down to the floor.
Belgian Sheer Linen, Off-White, 50x84 · More Info

HLC.ME Pair of Faux Silk Grommet Curtain Panels, White · More Info

Don't puddle them, though.
Julie Brown thanked sandradclark
Holly Taylor
8 years ago
I agree with Sandra, painting the fireplace a solid color is a bit, scary and if you dont get the color just right it will look awful and outdated. I would suggest a white wash instead.
Heres an example.
Julie Brown thanked Holly Taylor
Julie Brown
Original Author
8 years ago

Here is more of the room--pulled out the carpet. This chevron patterned hardwood was underneath. Leave it or put in brazilian walnut flooring? All the furniture is going too!
Nancy Travisinteriors
8 years ago
Can you take out the hearth? You could paint the brick, or dry wall and go a more contemporary tile. Like gray slate.
groveraxle
8 years ago
Holy moley, that floor is a find! I'd keep it for sure.
groveraxle
8 years ago
Whitewashed brick, lower and chunkier mantel, TV also lowered (though it would be better moved off the fireplace):
PRO
Mary Schlotter
8 years ago
Hello. I would put a more substantial mantle. Then I would cover the brick above it in ships lap and paint the ships lap white dove and the new mantle as well. Leaving just the brick around the firebox exposed. Not a fan of the tv on the mantle, but if you must make sure it's safe that there isn't too much heat when a fire is on.
PRO
Mary Schlotter
8 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/2369377
Julie Brown thanked Mary Schlotter
tooky58
8 years ago
Keep that flooring!! I'd pass out if I was lucky enough to find that.
Julie Brown thanked tooky58
columbia93
8 years ago
I'm personally not a fan of most parquet but I understand just how valuable it is and that you should keep it if you can.

If you want to do a surround and not just a mantle, Wayfair carries some reasonably priced. If you can afford to have a surround custom built, even better. I think a surround would be a better option for this with the TV above as the TV and fireplace are both dark but the TV is larger so it looks a bit top heavy. Build/Buy a surround that beefs up the fireplace to balance the two.If you want to you could even extend the build to include the TV.

Wayfair Fireplace Surrounds

Another option would be to sheetrock over the entire brick area. This would be a good idea if you were wanting a more modern, streamlined look.
Julie Brown thanked columbia93
rcarterworld
8 years ago
Not a parquet flooring fan, but THAT actually looks like a nice floor! I would keep it and work around it. Very unique.
Julie Brown thanked rcarterworld
Ann Mehrman
7 years ago
So what was the final decision and result? Could you please share what you decided to do and post a photo please?