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Design Dilemma Fireplaces Living Rooms

ugly brick fireplace help!

last year

We moved into a 1950s house in 2020. This is a gas fire which isn’t bad, but the surrounding brick work is so dominating. I like scandi style but scared to paint the bricks. Has anyone got any before and after photos of a similar project or any ideas!?

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User

last year

Before and after of my fireplace

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Comments (10)

R L
last year
Check out this photo from Houzz - https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/belgian-chic-in-a-1970-s-ranch-shabby-chic-style-living-room-nashville-phvw-vp~1928189
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R L
last year
Check out this photo from Houzz - https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/sweet-laurel-cottage-glazed-thin-brick-fireplace-transitional-living-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~160296900
R L
last year
De clutter the fireplace first then figue it out
Juliet Docherty
last year
last modified: last year
I love the quarry tiles, they are really beautiful. I would look into whitewashing the bricks to soften them slightly. Overall, I like it, t's got this kind of vibe going on...

https://thedesignfiles.net/2022/09/homes-janine-sam-harris-ferny-creeki
Jonathan
last year
You need to ask yourself if you like Scandi for its simplicity and functionality, and it’s rough textures in which case this fireplace works and you probably need to change the wall colour so there is less contrast. Or perhaps when you think Scandi you imagine white walls and simple blond wood furniture in which case this fire place is too dark and needs either replacing or made lighter.

In a Scandi scheme you could expect to see painted brick so it’s a very valid thing to do- personally I imagine you don’t like the fireplace because of the contrast of this dark brick with the white walls in which case I think the painted brick could focus negative attention on the tiled hearth so you might end up changing that.
Maria Hunt
Original Author
last year
Jonathan, really good considered advice. Thank you. I agree, if we paint the bricks the tiled hearth will look very orange and stand out!
Sonia
last year
I think painting the bricks white, cream, taupe or even dark grey will be a huge improvement. As the quarry tiles are brown, rather than the usual red, they shouldn’t jar too much with the painted brick. If you go to Pinterest there are loads of images. Here’s some examples
HU-463534663
last year
Looking at the photo, the walls are pale, the accessories are pale, the carpet and the rug are pale. If your sofa and whatever you have at the window is also pale, and that it how you like it, then you should probably paint the fireplace and the hearth. I like the fireplace and think you coukd reduce its impact by introducing some coloured accessories and a darker rug, but if pale is what you prefer then the fireplace needs toning down.
PRO
The Baked Tile Company
last year
Hi I'm one of the qualified Interior Designers at Baked Tiles. I'd whitewash the lovely brick and retile the hearth. Add some carefully selected dressing out items and It would be totally transformed!

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