p.s. tsudhonimh, I was thinking about making this a conversation area with two chairs too. But this is a small London house and this is the only living space, I couldn't function day to day without a sofa. I do need to think about the furniture placement for when we have finished all the building works.

A colour idea for retaining what you have that works with the floors. Try to stay away from light colours that compete with the fireplace - but its pale colour against a darker colour will allow it to recede visually. You could lay down a cream carpet over the floor as that wont compete with wallspace.Excuse the crap simulation - but it gives you an idea!

do you think something like this would work and look good??

Hi Lauren are you talking about layout, colour or half clad mantlepiece in your latest response? Thanks

The half clad mantle piece and perhaps softening the yellow colour of the bricks slightly. Not the layout.

Problem, though, because our fireplace is a lot less deep than that one.

(not sure how you would change the colour of the bricks?)

If you are feeling daring, have it clad from top to bottom in stainless steel, or rusted iron? Please check local laws for fireplace cladding to be sure it complies...

Grey Fireplace....

Sorry, everyone, for not reading the thread. I did this in my, er, lunch break, and it's nearly three. Have to get back to work. I like the fireplace very much, but I think its elegance should be played up -- b/w art or photography on both sides, no clutter at the bottom, clean the two discoloured bricks at the top if possible, and paint the walls a colour that makes the brick sing.

I would hang ceiling to floor curtains on the doors that that extent till either sides of the brick, mount the TV over the fireplace with wall mounted shelves on top to hold cable box, etc. Wall sconces on either sides of the TV and two end tables down by the fireplace with decorative items. You could even paint the bricks a cool toned taupe to make it look more contemporary.

I like it

Oh I like your mock up Rina. Thank you very much for doing that. Our TV is actually in the corner under the window and we have a side table with a lamp on the right hand side of fireplace. I like the artwork in that format though, I may have to do that. Perhaps a mirror on the right though, behind the lamp?

love how the grey walls set it off.

I agree with Rina, but I would use green walls to tone down the reds and yellows in the brick and wood

And, if you can, I'd add a mantle

yes I'd love to add a mantle. What do you have in mind? I don't really want to do heavy wood as most of my furniture is heavy walnut wood.

I would add a mantle for sure. Maybe paint the bricks but I would be tempted to replace them with stone.

Don't add any clutter around the fireplace as previous owners did.

Thanks lee lee, I won't be!

Lauren: how about a granite or stone mantle? Don't know what kind of budget you have to work with, but you could probably get a remnant since it would only be about 5' by 1'. Hold it up with some wooden brackets to tie it in with your furniture.

Or try something totally different. One inch glass

I haven't been keen on the mantle idea -- I like the unapologetic line of the fireplace and wouldn't want to mess with it -- but the glass idea is interesting, especially if you take it a bit beyond the sides and wrap an inch or so around to the wall rather than just having it stick out the front. How to attach it without spoiling the look, given that it can't be built in unless the fireplace is refaced (which I hope it won't be)?

hmm, I think glass would look too modern in the property - given it is a victorian conversion.

Because the windows are so wide, the fireplace looks narrow / puny on the wall. Fireplace overall should be slightly wider than window. Build out on either side, clad with cement board and cover with cold rolled steel, as previously suggested, or tile with stone field tiles or stone veneer. Attached is the before and after at my beach house.

The effect could be a bit like having modern art in a period room -- and that's done a lot, and very successfully. The fireplace itself certainly isn't Victorian, so you have prior permission, as it were. A pity your furniture isn't in the room yet, then one could get a better overall picture. But you're quite right to want to get anything that might involve dust and chaos done before you move anything in. :-)

yes, interestingly all of the other fireplaces are original and the rooms have the original picture rails and detailing. But the living room fireplace was obviously built much later. There is an old chimney stack next to the large sofa in that picture adjacent to the kitchen. I imagine that is the original.

We are knocking out the wall between the kitchen and living room and completely redoing the kitchen. So hopefully the column effect may be broken up.

I would like to get the fire place right, however. I like the rustic quality of it now and this has influenced our design for the kitchen with a belfast sink, inset doors and a range cooker. So I wouldn't want to completely cover the fireplace in steel and change the whole look now.

I think I will build it out though, the thin-ness is what really puts me off. Still not convinced on a glass mantle and would really like to incorporate one. If it is completely wrong for the design though, I am sure I could cope without.

Need help with your definition of "mantle"...is it just a horizontal piece, or does it include both vertical and facing?

dclostboy, is spot on with how to do your fireplace. Excellent job dc.

either. I just wanted the ledge to draw attention and put a display on.

If you build it out, it's a whole new ballgame -- different shape, of course, and you'll need to resurface. If you want something with a more traditional feeling you might consider something like this, with tiles beneath the mantel

Can't believe I did that again. Itchy trigger finger.

If you build it out, you could go with more traditional mantle, keep Victorian feel and not intrude on the room too much...this one required a similar build out based on how previous owners modified the fireplace. It was the original mantle in the house (found in the garage and refinished).

I did that on the existing size, of course. I suppose you could use the vertical wood beams to widen it, but I'm not sure how that would work. I'm thinking of that size of beam on a widened chimney breast.

Sort of kind of snap, Dclostboy. On the traditional feel, I mean.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but is it not possible for someone to add reclaimed bricks to match on either side to make it thicker without doing a MDF build out?

You're in the UK, yes? I'm not, and around here there would be no chance of matching the existing brick. Coming close, perhaps, but not matching. But reclaimed building materials are a much bigger industry in the UK, so it's possible, I suppose. I don't know if it's likely. The slightest difference will do the sore thumb thing.

Yes. I will have to see, as you say, wouldn't want them to not match.

But also consider that you don't like the current color much anyway :)

Take out the upper brinksmanship and make wider with mantle feel. Put flat screen on top.

good plan Sean. Good plan.

Agree with the others that it's a problem with the scale and proportions. Compare with this:

http://houzz.com/photos/1041502

I love that Fireplace!

I love bellesum's fireplace too, but would have reservations about a 'modern country' style living room in a Victorian conversion. I also quite like your existing fireplace, but not in your room! Its height makes the room seem uncomfortably tall and narrow. I'd advise a refit with a new wider firebox, broader surround and just mantle height.
I can't believe I'm suggesting a conventional refit! Shame on me!

A Houzz before and after project for your reference.
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/ugly-brick-fireplace-remodeled-dsvw-vd~760148

Paint it. Immediately! White, of course. Add a mantle to break it up, with some photo's in same color frames and a few objects you love with them, to break up the length of it. A lovely indoor plant in the summer to freshen, and it will be easier to live with, in fact will no longer dominate the room, and will not cost the earth.

Beyond wonderful ... well done. Thanks for the feedback.

totally amazing!! changes the whole room.

Gorgeous fire! Absolutely perfect for the space. Well done.

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