I need some help spicing up this fireplace!

Question

This room is the room in my house where everyone comes.  Its cozy, but needs some spicing up.  My husband and other family members do not want the paneling painted!  Its so dark, but I do love that cabin feel.  I guess what I am saying is, the fireplace needs some sprucing up.  Any suggestions?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Have you considered painting the brick?

Z · Answer

How is the rest of the room decorated? It's hard to tell from this small area, but my guess is it's with earth tones. I love paneled rooms, but they do pose a problem in darkening the room so it's best to add light colors around the room. Since your family doesn't want to paint the paneling, my guess is they wouldn't want to paint the brick either. They might go for white washing it, as this Hometalker did. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/how-to-white-wash-brick-6137247

Cvcopp · Answer

It is difficult to get an picture of the entire room because of the layout. The second pictures shows the paneling. Just envision that paneling on all four walls. lol!!! Thank you for your suggestions. I'll watch the video.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Cvcopp besides the decorating in the room are there any walls with paint or is the entire room paneling. I have found this website for you. Brickanew.com.

Cvcopp · Answer

The entire room is paneling.  I will go check out the website you recommended.  Thank you

Joanie · Answer

A unfinished, chunky, rustic mantle. Maybe whitewash and sand off the brick,for a rustic old look.

Elaine Shoyren Morris · Answer

As much as I don't like to paint paneling, in this case it is necessary to make the brick stand out. You can leave the rest of the room paneling, but just paint a soft light gray or tan around the fireplace to highlight the brick. Unclutter the items in front and on top of the mantle. A larger picture above the mantle.

Mickey Baron · Answer

Clear off EVERYTHING. Start from a clean slate. Step back & get some ideas. I really like the brick. Pinterest fireplaces. Good luck, you can make it personal.

Carole Bisby · Answer

I would paint the walls a deep gray and the fireplace a light gray and paint the mantel black to match the fireplace doors. I don't know what color your carpet is so you would have to consider that. I am more on the modern side, but if you like rustic you could do that also with more of the browns and black. Get rid of the stuff on the mantel also and maybe use some branches or a large mirror above the mantel, and of course some candles on the mantel. Good luck on your adventure, please keep us informed on what you did and how it turned out!!!!!!!

Lorie Walton-Naylor · Answer

Before and after. The stone work was easy. Our 11 year old grandson helped!

Elaine Shoyren Morris · Answer

You're very welcome!

Kristin Moore · Answer

Maybe you could just paint the mantel itself black then re-accessorize per previous suggestions. Maybe just a little change will do?!

Fab and Pretty · Answer

@Kristin Moore has a good suggestion of painting the mantel, maybe even the brass too. I actually started a folder called mantel display (I believe) of mantel displays I came across and had good elements. Take a look!

HouseLogic.com · Answer

There are lots of fun things you can do to brighten up your fireplace. You'll find some great ideas here: http://goo.gl/g5yaY1

Moxie · Answer

I would white was the brick paint out the metal on the fireplace doors with heat resistant black and the reaccerize...good luck with whatever you do!

Lorie Walton-Naylor · Answer

You might want to buy a few more boxes than you need. We live about 30 miles from Lowe's, so I ordered online. When we went to pick them up, several in the boxes were broken. I made them open all the boxes and went through them and checked them. I did get a few broken ones, but no big deal. You're going to end up cutting some to make it fit. We used a grinder to cut the stones. You just want to keep them level, a few pieces of cardboard stuck between stones will hold them in place until they dry. Honestly, my grandson did a better job at placing the stones, lol. Google it to see more pictures. It is messy, so you will want to put something down to protect your floor.

Katrina Warren · Answer

@cvcopp  It just needs some update on accessories.... ie: some color! Some fall pumpkins on the mantel, & maybe a pretty wreath where the picture is hanging. I like the hat there but it could be displayed better unless the bottles it is on are sentimental or something.... I would put the hat on a tall ornamental candle holder, or if you can't find one tall/big enough for that pick up a small lamp with a decorative base at a thrift store remove the shade, & hang the hat from that. (who says it has to be used for a lamp!)

Kayo Frazier · Answer

Here's my 2 cents...I would add fake brick matching the brick below & take it all the way up to the ceiling, then instead of painting the whole thing white..I would dry paint it just enough to allow some of the brick to show thru. I would change out the mantel for a wider one that you can paint it black to match the black around the hearth. Then you can put decorative pieces or artwork on your mantel. To brighten up the rest of the room I would change the curtains for white sheers w/ touches of embroidery to keep the cabin feel of the room. Hope this helps.

Susan Rawlings · Answer

You might want to try a whitewash of some type, they do come in nice neutral tones, too that you might like better than a stark white.

Deb K · Answer

Hello, it would be easy enough to paint or whitewash the brick, and leave the panels as is. light grey or charcoal grey would look great for this! Hope this helps you out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GLv11DliWA

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