Fort Myers, FL on Apr 26, 2012

Kitchen

Any Ideas on how to make the fireplace appear smaller or blend in as a nice focal point?

We just bought an older home and are working on a tight budget. The kitchens fireplace is the first thing you notice upon entering the room. We have toned down the dark red & cleaned up the fireplace by removing the old doors & mirror.

The fireplace sits right at the kitchen and is large. I have started to tile but stopped, concerned that it may clash with the floor if brought to the bottom.

any Ideas on how to make the fireplace appear smaller or blend in as a nice focal point? or just in general for the room?

47 Comments Displaying 25 of 47 comments | See Previous

Laura G Sacramento, CA

If this were my kitchen, I would fill the fireplace with logs and then go on-line to find my ideal pizza oven. Then I would create a faux pizza oven on top where the tiles are laid. Around the fireplace I would have bookshelves for lots of cookbooks and pizza/Italian style bric brac..

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 2
Sharon F Burleson, TX

What a bonus to have this in your kitchen area! My suggestion would be to take off the brick & put marble tiles (at least 12x12) all the way to the ceiling. Of course, make sure it compliments what you have in your kitchen. Even doing away with the hearth would make it less obtrusive. Good luck on your project!

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
Amy K Forest Hill, MD

I would paint the hearth a cream color to match the woodwork.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 0
Virtually Staging Propert... Atlanta, GA

The picture on the right is the look you want to go for if you want the fireplace to appear smaller and blend in as a nice focal point. The red and cream paint colors are harsh to look at. Painting the fireplace the same shade of cream as the cabinetry is a great idea or go a shade lighter for some contrast. The mirror also is making the space appear larger which is what mirrors are intended to do when decorating or staging a home.The picture on the right is once again the look to go for!

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

For something you can do yourself, paint the grout lines a beige color that blends with the new tile. This will transition the area and add a pretty detail.
Best, Charles

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 0
Alethea S Springfield, OH

It is not so much the fireplace causing the problem as it is the black, gaping hole of the firebox. And, I agree with you that the tile above it is too pink. The tile is also very 'busy'. These two elements combined will defeat your purpose by drawing the eye directly to it rather than have it blend in.
That said, here is what I would consider doing. Take down the tile above the FP. Have your ...»
paint store mix up some stucco/plaster in the same color as your cabinets and 'paint' it on the wall above and the front of the fireplace. Make some subtle texture by using a trowel to apply it. The stucco is very forgiving, so you can play around with it until you get the hang of it. It's really rather fun!
See if you can find the exact floor tile (if it's fairly new flooring, you may be able to find it) in either the same size tiles or perhaps a smaller ones i.e. 4X4 and tile the hearth. If you cant's find the exact tile, bring home some samples and find one that blends in well with the floor.
Buy, or better yet, make, a fireplace screen that will personalize the fireplace while covering up the hole.
Add your counter stools at the island and maybe a rocker with a small table to provide a respite for the weary cook. Have a cup of tea and look at your lovely kitchen!

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 0
Marsha J Chelsea, MA

no plants. fire and plants are not very feng shui, fire/growing things? no. and def. not fake ones, worse feng. And from this small photo, I would say look at it and see if it's "balanced" if you sit near the fire....the blocks of color, it's not just the texture of the fireplace /floor. right now from a small visual screen, it seems that the "lightness" lifts everything nicely, but there is a black block that sort of throws the balance off. If it stays a fire place, I would ...»
say, make places to sit near it, think of it as a "hearth and home" element and see what it says not as a design element, but as a functional one. the design will call itself.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 2
Donna W Palmer, AK

Does the fireplace work? If so make it a part of the room. Don't hide it. Make it the same color as the cabinets and then use an accent color on the island. Put some pillows of the same accent color on the hearth. Place bar stools and then a big comfy upholstered chair facing the kitchen and next to the fireplace for reading.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 2
Meri C Winnemucca, NV

Put a light colored wood board on the top of the hearth to place plants and other fun stuff..Put a screen or shutters in front of that big black hole...maybe paint the shutters a demure picture of peonies in pale colors so as not to draw attention to the space, but to look "pretty" without too much attention. Put some shelves or a "sunken" nook on/in the wall above the fireplace to match the existing hutch to place some nice glassware, or more plants. I'd put in tile over the brick on the ...»
hearth to help it to blend in with the floor. It's very harsh right now. If not tile, use faux stone.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
Pam D Alexandria, LA

I definitely would paint it the same color of the cabinets or a shade darker. It's too stark white. Find a a large copper pot to hang on a rack inside the openeing when not in use. Maybe a few other copper accessories around so it looks like a cooking fireplace. Just a thought.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
Kathleen C Jamestown, NY

I might consider tiling or some other stone for the fireplace too... maybe a slightly darker shade than the tile above it, which is nice looking. The changes you've already made are 100% better though. Nice job. Pams idea is also a good idea...tough decision.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
Peg M Cleveland, OH

i think if you elongate the entire fireplace surround and stick with a neutral color palette, the insert itself will appear much smaller. i would get rid of the white altogether and maybe add some hidden lighting above cabinets, to draw the eye somewhat away from fireplace. hope this helps.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 0
Roxy D Gainesville, GA

Paint a 'frame' white, it will appear smaller, then, add a little greenery.

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 1
Karen W Hot Springs National Park, AR

I would add my color to maybe the counter tops and an interesting tile backspash,carried through to over the firplace. Some interesting recessed lighting fixtures to show up your countertops and over your fireplace. Some f your crystall displayed with the lighting would add a litle sparkle with some interesting something on the hearth of the fireplace. Looks better without that dark walll!!!!!

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 0
Ins & Outs Decorating, LLC Hillsborough, NJ

I recently solved a problem for a client whose fireplace took up too much space in the family room. Similar to your situation I would continue the woodworking design of the cabinets and add a true mantle and continue past the fireplace slightly with a narrow corner bookcase or cabinet perhaps. Reduce the fireplace visual with continued woodworking to set it back in the room.
on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 4
Jessica K Spotsylvania, VA

I like the built ins of the woman above me. ^up there^ Also I would say, paint it the same color as the kitchen cabinets. That would tie it in and make it blend with the rest of the fixtures.

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 1
Sandra R Breinigsville, PA

Very nice! Looks a lot cleaner and bigger! A+

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 0
Karianne R Woodsville, NH

Is it a functioning fireplace? If not, you can use the opening to showcase an old antique peice of kitchenry, or some really nice big green plants. I would also try to tie in my kitchen theme with the tiles, either with some handpainted tiles, or just some tiles that have the same colors as what I was using in the kitchen.

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 2
Marg C Middletown, NY

If you get rid of the LARGE encasement around it that would help
too. Then put a mantel above it. You can't make it fade in to the background if you paint that area a different color than the rest of the walls. You're making it stand out.

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 1
Kelly S Bremerton, WA

Continue the tile from where the mirror was all the way down to the hearth. If the colors tie in with all the other tile, it will blend in more. I agree with the others who said to use it as a showcase for some other object or candles if you don't plan on using it as a fireplace.

on Apr 28, 2012 · Like 1
Rebecca B Kansas City, MO

The white is too bright. To minimize the presence of the fireplace paint it a tone closely matching the tile.

on Apr 29, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia B Morristown, TN

I would put in a fireplace insert in that would take care of the black hole

on Apr 29, 2012 · Like 0
Sandra R Breinigsville, PA

After seeing the pictures from "ins and Outs Decorating,LTD" the bookcases on both sides of the fireplace look great

on Apr 30, 2012 · Like 0
Ins & Outs Decorating, LLC Hillsborough, NJ

Thanks Sandra. My clients are very happy with the change. We painted, installed new carpets, a bay window and all new furnishings. I have to take final pics soon. Taking away the brick visual across the entire room set the tone for the new look. I hope Alison C above takes into consideration the addition of cabinetry to the right of the fireplace.

on May 01, 2012 · Like 0
Ira Morse New York, NY

Creating your own backsplash will give your kitchen personality and style.

on Sep 26, 2012 · Like 0

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