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Need help with my fireplace!

Victoria Johnston

6 years ago

Please can I get some help with my fireplace. I really can't decide whether to paint or not?? I don't want to make a mistake and regret it, but I look at it sometimes and think its too dark :-(

HELP!

Featured Answer

honeypoppet

6 years ago

Hi Victoria,

I agree that the fireplace doesn't really work in this room, it kind of clashes with the other woods you have in there.

Here are some ideas of what it would look like painted, I've done a couple light ones and a couple darker to show what that might look like too. Alternatively you might want to sand and restain if it's wood, it allows an easier change if you don't like it! If it was whitewashed so it looked like pale wood that would look nice too.

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Comments (17)

Victoria Johnston
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi, thanks very much for the pics, they have really helped :-) I think I like the white best - it makes the fireplace stand out better. What kind of paint do you suggest I use? Also, do I go for standard white or a nearly white, ie antique white?
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PRO
User
6 years ago
Hi Victoria,

Honeypoppets images were really useful.

The light grey one works well, perhaps paint the barley twists in black to make them look like wrought iron to match the fire grate and contrast them with the grey.

If you painted the coffee table and TV stand in the same light grey the room would pull together nicely. The oak floor works well due to the grey rug which defines the central area.

The mirror and the picture to the right of the fireplace looks a little out of scale. They would look lovely with a larger black frame to contrast with the pale walls. (add a grey border to the picture to enlarge it)

The coloured chair to the right should not work but somehow it does, it adds a little bit of character. If you replace the black and white cushions on the sofa with some turquoise it will help balance the room.

Hope that helps,

Martin

www.angel-martin.com

www.3dinteriorillustration.co.uk
Sven
6 years ago
Painted white or black works well. I rather like the lapis lazuli blue colour but not sure if it works as well.
m_williams300
6 years ago
Oh I think the black ...not a wish you washy black but full on. I have a black mantlepiece and it's great with all sorts of colours!
Pat Greenwell
6 years ago
I think the grey, or the black is best. Really sorry to disagree with the owner of this house, but I think def not the white- it's a beautiful fireplace, and clearly wood, so I think a mistake to paint the wood in such a flat colour as white. Sorry, and all.......
jenniimatthews
6 years ago
Paint it....love the grey...
PRO
Paintforme
6 years ago
Hi Victoria,

The pictures from honeypoppet show all but no green:) And green is such a lovely paint colour, it's calming - what else to wish for in the lounge!

Blue looks fantastic too. Your favourite is white, then match is to the tiles from within the fireplace.

Good luck,

Paintforme
Pat Greenwell
6 years ago
Here is a picture of my fire surround, for instance, which I did paint white, from a strange shade of brown wood. But I think this works, because the walls are a contrast colour, and I have white on the alcove cupboards- they pre-existed me painting the fire surround.
A S
6 years ago
Hi,

I quite like the walnut sort of colour wood fireplace but stands out during to the other wood shades in the room.

I'd be tempted to lighten the wood or stain it! Alternativly, painting the surround grey would tie the room together beautifully whilst coordinating with the sofa and grey accessories.

I don't think the white works as well in my opinion.
Victoria Johnston
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks everyone for the advice. Unfortunately, I'm not brave enough to paint it black or any dark colour and the furniture is quite new and expensive so defo not painting it. The fire surround has been dipped & stripped back to its natural wood colour....its just unfortunate it doesn't match the rest of the furniture. I initially did think the white, but on reflection, its probably too bright. I'm now thinking pale grey! So, how do I go about painting it? What's the best paint to use? It scares the life out of me, don't want to get it wrong :-( I've only just finished renovating and painting the whole house.
PRO
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hi Victoria,

I always specify Farrow & Ball or Little Green paint.

These paints have a natural texture and are based on National Trust colours.

The few occasions I have seen a decorator try to mix a colour to match it has looked awful. Definitely worth investing in a decent make of paint..

Note:

Don't be tempted to use the greys on the main F&B colour charts, they all have a slight beige undertone. Ask for the "grey" colour card...

Regards,

Martin
Jonathan
6 years ago
I think this is the nicest bit of wood in the room and you should paint the TV cabinets and table but leave the fireplace
Victoria Johnston
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Martin. I had thought of Farrow & Ball. I have looked on their website and have emailed them asking about a grey colour chart, but unfortunately they only have 1 colour chart. The walls around the fireplace have been painted in F&B Cornforth White - what colour would you recommend for the fire surround? Apologies for all the questions, just want to get it right and you are the expert :-)
Victoria Johnston
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Jonathan, the furniture is new and quite expensive so painting it is not an option, but thanks anyway.
PRO
User
6 years ago
Hi Victoria,

Firstly apologies, I thought the grey chart was F&B but it was Little Green. Its entitled "Little Green, Grey, English Heritage"

If your choosing from Little Green I would go for "Urban Grey 225"....Sounds very industrial but its a mid tone silver grey. I used this recently on a listed project and it looked beautiful.

If you go with F&B look at "Manor House Grey 265"

Make sure you don't make the decision in the shop, look at the sample in the room as the lighting in the room will effect the colour. That said, grey is one of the few colour choices that isn't too adversely effected by artificial light. Adding a yellow tungsten light to a beige choice can add yellow to the tonal value which can be a disaster. Grey sits within the neutral spectrum and absorbs light with neutral tones.

Hope that helps and good luck with the project....

Regards,

Martin

www.angelpmartin.com

www.3dinteriorillustration.co.uk
Victoria Johnston
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks very much Martin for all your help and advice. Victoria

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