Shall i paint the fireplace?

8 years ago

We recently moved into a 1905 terrace. This (rather imposing) fireplace surround in our lounge/diner is wood, but is heavily varnished a reddish-brown. I do quite like it, but not quite sure what to do with it. Keep it as is? Paint another colour that fits in with the rest of the scheme (grey, green, yellow)? All ideas welcome! Thanks.

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PRO

Amber Jeavons Ltd

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hello mcpeeple,

One thing that you could consider is the square tiles on the hearth.. Someone has put these in to compliment the other green tiles which are original. It might be an idea to look into a piece of slate for the hearth. I wouldn't paint the wood though.. The wood works really well with the green tile.

The other thing you could do is lean a really large oversized mirror on the rear wall.. This will give the illusion of more space but also offer the eye another focus in the room...

Maybe another small mirror or hang some pictures on the small wall between door and outside. A different pendant and slightly lower and also bring the table into the room a little more.. You may want to consider a small side table or something for one of the alcoves..

Wooden with a marble top could be nice to put the plant on and a lamp.. Something taller or so for the other alcove, to give balance but not symmetry! YES I said it... an interior designer who want's something other than pure symmetry.. It's nice to have just a little difference..

Maybe paint the chimney breast a colour with a hint of green if you want to stay light.. or a chalky darker green... Oval mirror hanging from the picture rail over the mantel and leave it bare... Dark green cushions for the dining table and some nice candlesticks... Think it is a really nice room though and I like the idea of painting... doors, skirting all woodwork and architrave... Something that stands out a little and even could be a green... One that compliments the small rectangular tile on the fireplace.. : ))

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Comments (20)

Carole Wood
8 years ago
I personally would have to paint it satin white or ivory but as the other woodwork is not painted this may look odd. I would therefore have to paint all the other woodwork white as this would match the modern door to the garden. Not sure how this would fit with the opposite wall though as this appears to be painted gloss white. Let's see what others think.
stabmonkey
8 years ago
I would be tempted to either leave it as it is as it beautiful or to remove the varnish and have a satin paler varnish.
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Hi Jenny, I think i'm there with the description. The new windows and doors are going on the left, correct? I can see in the back ground the slanted ceiling. However, i'm still confused with the T.V comment, as you say you don't want it facing the windows and that's what it currently does. There is also a radiator on the far wall under a window, is that to remain or be re-sited? If you replace the long wall with windows and doors, you would need to say where they are exactly and how wide. The radiator could do with be re-sited and in my opinion maybe get rid of the window on the far wall. If you don't get rid of the window you are limiting yourself greatly with the placement of furniture. Here's a few scenarios:- keeping the window and the radiator:- Removing the window and re-siting the radiator to the other end of the room - log burner on left in tall corner:- Removing the window - log burner on the right - tv facing in to the room away from the window:- Log burner not in either corner - window removed - fireplace built for log burner with alcoves allowing storage and T.V Corner placement:- This would probably allow more seating - possibly a 3 and a 2 seater sofa. Radiator re-sited to the far end adjacent to the door.
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stabmonkey
8 years ago
What is behind the white panelling? White woodwork throughout would be too much
mcpeeple
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks guys - I really appreciate your thoughtful feedback - this is my first posting to Houzz and your comments are really helpful :-)

The panelling opposite the fireplace is actually grey (though looks white in the pic) and is the same colour as the walls (Dulux Dusted Moss 2). Unfortunately its in gloss though - the rest of the woodwork is in white satinwood (have since also painted the skirting boards in white satinwood). Behind the panelling is under-the-stairs storage - theres an under-stairs cupboard door there thats just discernible in the pic (full of junk, of course!).
mcpeeple
Original Author
8 years ago
PS Am planning to get the doors 'dipped' so theyre just a natural-wood-look (at the moment, theyre varnished a kind of orange. Eeep!)
stabmonkey
8 years ago
White Satinwood might work on the woodwork. but dipped sounds better. I like the dusted moss colour. It looks airy and serene.
mcpeeple thanked stabmonkey
stabmonkey
8 years ago
Thanks mcpeeple. Your room is beautiful and the glimpse of outside is too.
minnie101
8 years ago
Hi. Something in either mid grey or a mid to dark'ish grey would look great on the fireplace with the green tiles (I wouldn't go anything really dark though) but would add art etc with a little more colour if you do paint it. It also looks good As it is though. I think I would redo the panelling in an emulsion which shouldn't be an issue. I must admit I would paint the door. I think it's more in keeping with the period but it also looks rather small atm which throws the rooms proportions out ( just imo)
mrskain1
8 years ago
I'm wondering if part of the problem is that the fireplace is so big and the furniture is so small. If you get a large table with bigger upholstered chairs, a big hanging chandelier and an oversized painting on the white wall, it would balance out the fireplace. I like the fireplace as is, however painting it out in one of the lighter colours suggested should also minimise the size.
mcpeeple
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks guys - you're right about the proportions being 'off'. Its actually quite a small room (its just a 2-up/2-down terrace) but I agree it needs art & other/larger objects to balance out the monster fireplace. Thanks - you're all so helpful!
minnie101
8 years ago
I'm just looking at this again and thinking the lighter colour may be better. My initial thoughts were because of the dark tiles it wouldn't make much difference but the mantel is actually really deep so I think it would help. Good luck!
hortonhearsawho2013
8 years ago
Painting it white would help it to blend in and not be so imposing, I'd paint it the same as the picture rail, especially as you've painted the skirtings.
PRO
Akiva Projects Ltd
8 years ago
Hello,

I agree with what stabmonkey have said. Maybe you could go for a paler shade but if I was you I'd probably leave it as it is. Looks nice and gives a statement to your room. Also, I don't see why it wouldn't go with the surroundings.

Izabella

StJames Design Interiors
mcpeeple
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Houzz-peeps - lots of ideas for me to chew over! Whenever I ask friends' opinion, they all just say "its lovely", which is no help at all ;-)

Eventually, I plan to remove the rather unpleasant carpet and get the floorboards sanded + varnished, which I guess would then match the planned 'dipped-doors'. Im also wondering about changing the green tiles on the hearth (though not the surround) to something a little brighter...
stabmonkey
8 years ago
The fireplace is a bit tall but the green tiles work. I agree with mrskain1's suggestion about the chandelier and furniture. I wish it were my room. The reason your friends say it is lovely is because it is!
belsize
8 years ago
To be honest I would have it removed and leave a neat contemporary hole in the wall into which I would install a small wood burning stove, or gas flame fire. I think the proportions of the giant fire surround are all wrong in what is a small room. I sympathise and hope you won't feel offended but I think, if there is any budget, removing the whole fire surround would give you a much better room to work with.
Lauren
8 years ago
It's a tricky dilemma, personally I vote painting it the same white as the skirtings. Leave the lovely green tiles. A dark, possibly round rug would help to centre and balance the room I think. Put a large painting or two on the panelled wall and swap out a larger chandelier too. I'd also consider wall or standard lamps to make the space feel a little more cosy.
mrsmcee74
8 years ago
I think once you've had the floor done and addressed some of the issues of scale, it will look fab. It is a tad monolithic in size but I do quite like it and think in its current state it adds warmth to the room, a wooden floor will help with blending it in.
Helen C
8 years ago
I like the fireplace as it is, Edwardian fireplaces do tend to be quite high but I think you can balance the look with a longer table or sofa. I know you didn't ask about the rest of the room but you mentioned dipping the doors. I would advise against this as over time the glue joints will break down and the door will be ruined. I agree with Minnie, it would be more in keeping with the period to have painted doors (and skirtings).

Shall i paint the fireplace?

Amber Jeavons Ltd

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