colour dilemma-paint fireplace or wall??

5 years ago

Can anyone help? The colours in this room have never sat right with me-I don’t think I like the bricks or the pointing colour that was used and I feel the lovely beam doesn’t stand out enough. Maybe with the wood mirror on top it’s too much? Can someone suggest what I can do? Paint the brickwork? If so a dark bold colour maybe? Or change the mirror, or have a feature wall perhaps? Although that wouldn’t fix my annoyance at the Brick colour! Any ideas/pictures that might help (I’m TERRIBLE) at trying to visualise colours!) many thanks in advance.

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PRO

User

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I'd render the front part of the brick, which will look a lot more polished than painting it, and leave the inner exposed.

I'd then paint in a colour to complement the room, have a bit of a de-clutter and a move around of the objects. Trying to mellow out the room a little.

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Comments (17)

Carolina
5 years ago
Hi, I recognise that room :-)

I'd paint the brick the same colour as the wall. That will make the lovely wooden beam stand out. Perhaps turning the mirror around, portrait, would be better? I do like it though. If you want to change colours, I'd paint the niches in a darker colour. Would need to see the rest of the room again to suggest a colour.
Juliet Docherty
5 years ago
I totally agree, paint the brick, it will transform it. I would also remove everything from the wall apart from the mirror and add some plants, it would look a bit airier.
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Please declatter everything! Too many small pieces involved. Mirror is good where is something nice to reflect, not here. I would go with wall art instead.
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
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More inspiration
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DecoZen
5 years ago
I agree with the de clutter bit of previous comments, that’s always my first step. Then, if you like deep colours (very hot at the moment) paint the chimney and alcoves in a deep green as it complements red brick. Farrow & ball studio green (almost black) or green smoke (grey green). Accentuate with gold (thin gold frame mirror and a few candles) and a couple of lamps and you have an atmospheric room for the winter.
https://www.decozen.co.uk/blog/iprepare-your-home-for-autumn-and-winter-interior-design-tips
minnie101
5 years ago
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minnie101
5 years ago
Photo disappeared...
PRO
User
5 years ago
Like the idea of the Grey / Green would go nice with a copper coal bucket and a copper edged mirror.
edwinajarrad
Original Author
5 years ago
Wow these are all amazing ideas, thank you for all your help! Love the idea of dark shade in alcoves and may do on the opposite wall too as everything is a bit beige/blah at the mo at the deep shade will help lift it and cosy it up-have done it in 3 other rooms in our house but think I’ve been too afraid to do it in this one! And all the accessory ideas too, thank you-as well as possibly rendering the fireplace which had also crossed my mind...a lot to think about! And a lot to persuade the Husband about...thank you all!
And yes, ha, Carolina-ou have seen it before-well spotted! So we’ve already made changes with curtains/rugs/shelving since that post, this is makeover no2!
Sonia
5 years ago
I used to have a fireplace just like yours and the only bit I liked was the thick wooden mantle! After living with it for a million years or so, my husband removed the bricks and opened out the fireplace. We then bought a wooden surround and painted it white. So much nicer! This is what it looks like now.
E D
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I quite like MATH's render idea, but only if it means the 'shelf' is still intact.

Re the 'clutter', I would say don't de-clutter too much. You run the risk of de-personalising your home.
edwinajarrad
Original Author
5 years ago
Ooh thank you forzaitalia-super helpful and looks lovely!!! Will be looking into that as hadnt thought of it...
And yes thanks ED re not too much de clutter...I know most people like it clear but we’re kind of ‘lots of stuff’ type people to feel cosy-have a million pictures and bits!! Kind of like it :-) but sure we can maybe clear a little... :-)
Either way we’re keeping the beam!
obobble
5 years ago
I like forzitalia's idea also. For me there's something a bit off about the proportion of the brick pillars as it is now, they just look too wide for the opening. Putting in a surround as shown completely sorts that out.
edwinajarrad
Original Author
5 years ago
So colour help now then please! You can see here from new photos the two alcoves which is like to now paint a deep cosy colour, and then the opposing wall which is also like to do in same colour... please can you suggest what colours would match best to fit in with curtain colour (already changed curtains once so would prefer not to have to again!). Will be changing pics above the sofa, they’re moving elsewhere!
Again, if you’re able to do any photoshops or anything that would be really helpful as I just can’t see it!! Thanks again so much :-)
Sonia
5 years ago
Such an interesting room full of gorgeous pictures and books. I love books! Now colours that I think would look lovely with your blue curtains are the soft pastels - green, pink and pale yellow, but you want a deep cosy colour so let’s move on! I’m a little bit obsessed with dirty pinks at the moment, a world away from Barbie pink so don’t panic. Colours like F&B Setting Plaster or Little Greene’s Dorchester Pink, or Blush which is much darker and cosier. I also like deep stone colours such as LG Roman Plaster, or if you wanot to go even darker, Silt looks nice, very organic tones. I’ll try and find some pics. I’ve no idea how to photoshop, but I’m sure someone will!
Sonia
5 years ago
Here as my colour suggestions, but there are so many above and beyond these!

BLUSH BY LITTLE GREEN

SILT BY LG

F&B SETTING PLASTER