What to do with this brick fireplace...?
So, we're just about to move into our new home, which has been in our family for a few years. I've always loved the house, and i'm so glad we'll have a log burner, as we do in our current house... but the brick has always jarred with me. I love the beautiful solid wood mantel, and I don't even mind the bricks below it, but the tapering bricks above remind me so strongly of some 70s-esque cladding I had to endure in a house I grew up in.
Our taste isn't an extreme of any style, but the room is likely to feature greys with strong accent colours, bold geometric shapes and bright screen prints. Oh, and a telly.
Comments (11)
PROMERRICK DESIGNS
8 years ago
PROAmber Jeavons Ltd
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoHello Emma,
It's a fantastic room and house I imagine! Have you considered possibly painting the brick above the beam chalky matt finish and then hanging a large mirror.. or even something else.. I would not change anything and nor would I remove the beam, but you can force the eye to see what you want.. By painting chalky colour close to a brick colour not necessarily red in tone, but you then minimise the "brick" aesthetic somewhat whilst retaining it and the texture of it.. Hanging a lovely rectangular mirror to balance will also help gr8ly! It's an idea that doesn't involve any removal..
One last detail for the fire is give the hearth a bit of treatment.. I'd say it could come out a bit further.. maybe a brick hearth or if you'd prefer a slate, or stone.. .. You could have a piece of your choice cut to size. It will help to bring out the fireplace and the wood burning stove.. Add some fantastic iron tongs etc and a pile of logs..
What does look a little odd is the size of the windows.. They are very small... This is also the reason why the brickwork of the chimney stands out so much... as the scales are not proportional. A lot of really old houses had really small windows but, I do think the room could possibly benefit from the windows being extended and or moved slightly further away.. Also they need to be a open as possible with any dressings.. Roller or Roman if staying size as is.. need to be as tightly wound to open the window as much as possible..
Possibly consider opening the windows a bit further or even position them slightly further away.. With the stairs, they could look fantastic open without banister rail and spindles... So a sleek open design could really set the room.. If you like geometric and bold but highly sophisticated interior.. I can offer excellent procurement, design and styling advice..
Some fantastic large geometric wallpapers which really could play with the ideas of scale.. With paints and accessories stones, greys, charcoals and earthy colours, accent with copper, golds, charcoal/blacks (matt) and or warm woods.. Play with scale and height to add contrast and interest... : ))
Large!!
Stylish tongs etc..
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Brick fireplace - what would you do?
Comments (5)The colour of the quarry tiles and the brick will really complement grey sofas. Personally I find the dark red stain of the wood and the mantelpiece a bit unappealing. If those could be clad, or replaced with more earthy, old looking natural wood it would help. I would also skim the ceiling and fit new wall lights and led downlighters....See MoreBrick fireplace - what would you do?
Comments (8)I would paint the ugly red wood an antique white and the bricks a lovely soft grey, then get some cheap small black tiles in a sale and tile over the red hearth tiles or maybe leave them, see how they look. Rustoleum chalk paint is just fantastic, just straight over the top, no priming, but to save paint I would seal the bricks with diluted PVA painted on and allow this to dryRustoleum chalk paint first so they don't suck the paint up....See MoreFireplace challenge
Comments (24)If you want to try working with the fireplace still in situ, I'd definitely remove the chunky hearth bit with its ugly ramparts and replace with a slab of granite or similar. If you also remove the flared top bit, you could then try framing it all with a wooden surround, as in Dolly's first pic, or like Minnie's pic, just replace with a simple mantel. I actually like the yellow wall paint but the band of white above the picture rail is very jarring and makes the fireplace look even squatter. We decided we couldn't live with the hideous brick fireplace in our new home and so we removed it, re-plastered the wall and made way for a big sofa instead. However, there isn't a chimney breast in our room as the chimney is external, so we were able to turn the room around. Good luck and I hope you love your end result!...See MoreWhat to do with fireplace/victorian home?
Comments (7)Like Sonia, I like it! The blue tiles don't work and need to go. They are there because you need more hearth so I would investigate getting more raised slate to match what's already there. A HETAS approved fire installer can advise you. I like the fire basket but why is it off centre? Are you going to keep it? I think the other fireplaces you have may have been repro or salvage and put in at a later date.... There is something about them that isn't quite right... The surrounds don't look right and don't seem to suit/fit with the cast iron inserts....See More
minnie101
8 years agoUser
8 years agoJonathan
8 years agoEmma Garwood
8 years ago- PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago 
Leila Rasheed
8 years ago
PROMauro Perucchetti Ltd
8 years agoWhat a great room feature. Have you thought of using Venetian plaster to truly bring this feature to life.
Venetian plasters do not require painting and come in various colours and surface finishes.
They can give your fireplace a bespoke face lift giving your room a luxurious and fresh appearance, making a real statement in your room.
Akiva Projects Ltd