Help with drab den

Sally Thierer
by Sally Thierer
I need suggestions to brighten my den mantle, back and hearth.
My den needs help! Drab brick and wood hearth
  17 answers
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Apr 27, 2014
    Prime and paint the brick a neutral color .i would like to see the stove primed and painted a cool accent color.Hard to pick a color without seeing the entire room.love a mint,jade or even a light lime green?All depends on the rest of the room!a drop cloth cut and painted to look like some type of animal hide would be cool with the rustic decor. some faux animal heads would also look great with this decor check out my animal head Pinterest board.i would install modern heads to give it a hipper look. Don't forget a couple of plants to also liven the room out. snake plants like low light, easy to care for and dramatic in some glazed pots that match the color you choose for the stove.throw in a couple of spot lights to throw out some dramatic shadows on the plants.great ideas for faux animal rugs on pinterest
    • Lori J Lori J on Apr 28, 2014
      @Funnygirl How does one paint a working stove like this with anything except stove black?
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Apr 27, 2014
    One large dramatic piece on mantle instead a lot of small items. two large pictures ie. large photos of large trees on both sides of the chimney would be assume!call attention of the chimney
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Apr 28, 2014
    hmmm I agree, but I don't know what to suggest, so I will wait and see what others suggest, but definitely paint the brick and maybe a throw rug in front of the stove. well, I actually did have a suggestion after all,didn't I? ha.. Let us know what you do.
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Apr 28, 2014
    Sally...there is a post by Virgie, who did a brick wall and made over a piece of furniture..you should look for it, very nice! I don't know how to bring her post toyou. It is below this tho,
  • Sally Thierer Sally Thierer on Apr 28, 2014
    Thanks all. I cannot paint the coal stove due to the heat it radiates. Nothing will hold up. However I love red. My adjoining living room is red brown and cream. I have brown leather recliners in this den I can't afford to change out at this time.
  • Debbie D. Debbie D. on Apr 28, 2014
    Sally, there is "stove" paint that is heat resistant to sustained 1200 degrees and it comes in a variety of colors, like Antique Ruby http://www.stovepaint.com/Products/Products.asp?id=1
  • Sally Thierer Sally Thierer on Apr 28, 2014
    Hmmm. Has my hubby been jerking my chain?
    • @Sally Thierer not really LOL is this a coal stove? then the temperature will far exceed 1200 degrees so hubby is right. I would think about chunking up your mantle and then adding a piece of decorative wrought iron (or even several pieces to look like one large piece to take up the whole area above the mantle) on the wall behind the stove and paint it your accent color in the room (red?). If you leave the mantle the way it is, then I would not put anything up there except the brass looking accessories on the right side and on the hearth on the left side. The accessories on the mantle are lost on there and I would move them. On top of the mantle, if you were to chunk it up with an old beam or make your own "beam", I would put pieces that will help blend in with some of the stoves accessories and maybe even just old colored glass or antique lamps. You need some drama there. I do not know how to give more advice without seeing the whole room so if you post more pics then you can get more ideas from everyone. Good luck
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Apr 28, 2014
    If you want to leave the stove black, accent by painting the brick a soft white...then add some red accent color. A vase or something in red. Red/white/black is always a great combo...then spread some of these colors around the room...a red throw, some pillows in red/white check, etc.
  • Donna Byram Donna Byram on Apr 28, 2014
    Since your fireplace is on an inset wall, this would be a great wall to have as an accent wall. Paint it from the corner to the corner. If you still know your paint color, go 3 shades darker or go a completely different color that you may have in your rooms decor. ~ Do you like the red brick? If so, it just may need a good dry brushing with a stiff bristle brush. Brick has a tendency to collect dust just like any other porous material. A good brushing and then going over with a damp mop on the hearth. ~ I too would re-decorate the mantle. I would use the clock where it is but move it over and then hang your picture on the other side at the same height as the clock, place some of the smaller objects under the picture on the mantle. ~ Another thing I would consider is painting your baseboards and door trim either an off white or white. Noticed you have painted paneling, Do not paint the corner trim white, leave it the wall color. (I am a use what you have type-decorator, because who can afford to go buy new all the time).
  • Lori J Lori J on Apr 28, 2014
    I like the idea of brighter painted brick with a painted mantle offset by a bolder color on the wall.
  • Janis Hill Janis Hill on Apr 28, 2014
    I would like to see pictures of the rest of the room first. Rather than painting the brick you might consider a new wall color. Do you know what decorating style you like? Try taking this simple quiz to find out. Knowing what you like will help you to get a look you will love!
  • Opal Opal on Apr 29, 2014
    I think the area has a lot of charm. I think you just need accent colors overall. Painting the wall behind the stove and around the brick a teal/blue green or sea glass green color would make the rest stand out. Maybe paint just the mantle the same color as the side wall. An area rug with the same colors and a couple of pillows in red. I would like to see what you come up with.
  • Leslie Leslie on Apr 29, 2014
    I think painting the brick would look great!
  • Michele Eures Michele Eures on Apr 29, 2014
    Paint the brick white, remove all those small items and display on a shelf somewhere as a theme, then paint the walls a warmer color (but no browns). Here's an example:
  • Andrea Andrea on Apr 29, 2014
    Painting the brick is an option but what about a decorative surround with a framed wall panel above the mantle behind the stack?
  • Christy D. Christy D. on Apr 29, 2014
    I would suggest painting the walls a vibrant bright color (A Mediterranean blue would be pretty), the mantle white and do a white wash on the brick. This will give a lovely pop and make your beautiful wood burning stove a feature. Then add pieces in staggered sizes on the mantle to match your decor.
  • Mary Mary on Apr 29, 2014
    Mirrors, small, large, dollar store or yard sale mirrors. Group them on the blank wall. They reflect light and open up the space