What are some ideas for changing a 27 year old fireplace? All brick

Stacy
by Stacy
dimensions are 6 feet wide, raised hearth, 3 foot by 2.5 foot cutout from ceiling to mantel.
  5 answers
  • Kate Hollingsworth Kate Hollingsworth on Jun 04, 2018

    Try painting the brickwork black (here’s a great example of how that looks: https://www.brightgreendoor.com/our-black-painted-fireplace/ ). I would clad the current brick shelf with timber and extend it either side to the full width of the brick, making it look like a wide floating timber shelf. xx


    • Stacy Stacy on Jun 04, 2018

      Thank you, your black fireplace looks awesome in your house.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jun 04, 2018

    You could also plaster it .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ikshIi7zm4 for a more modern look - he has 2 more videos on this technique.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Jun 04, 2018

    And I suggest painting it white or whitewashing. If you are good with a sledgehammer, you could knock off the mantle and replace it with a box mantle, maybe painted an accent color. Repaint the fireplace tools and trim with something like burnished copper or shiny silver. Best wishes ☺️

    • Stacy Stacy on Jun 04, 2018

      thank you, I do like the idea of a white wash and possibly creating a box mantel.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 04, 2018

    I would consider filling in the hole with similar bricks and paint the entire surface white whitewash to brighten and give a more contemporary look. Find a piece of art for above the mantel.

    • Stacy Stacy on Jun 04, 2018

      Thank you for your input, I'm thinking a white wash might be the way to go. My living room is not very big, so I'm thinking the lighter the better.

  • Col33604980 Col33604980 on Jun 13, 2018

    I white washed my fireplace last year and also painted the grout lines darker. it is still my favorite project! Best Wishes!