Not sure what to do with the antique red above gas fireplace...

Question

Excuse the mess. We purchased this home built in 1993, so we're trying to bring it up to date. 
I'd like to keep the red, just not sure what to do with it. Though, I do want it to stand out some, I don't want it to consume the room.  We had texture added and painted above the gas fireplace,

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Personally I would paint the white surrounding the fireplace a different color. That may tone down the red that you want to keep.

Lori · Answer

It's going to both stand out and consume the room to some extent.  That is a statement, a big, bold red statement and I love it.  The first thing that came to my mind was a BIG unframed canvas with a mostly white background, to pull up the fireplace while still having touches of the red and whatever other colours are in your room, but keep lots of white showing.  You could make that yourself.  Something natural would look good as well, maybe some beautiful wooden or metal sculptural piece of wall art.  Look on Houzz and Pinterest for a gazillion ideas.  Have fun and be sure to show us what you decide.

Godfolks · Answer

Large art work centered. Half of the wall a wood accent wall centered in the middle.

MN Mom · Answer

No matter what you do, the fireplace will stand out. I think the television detracts from the fireplace and draws more attention to the size of the red wall.  I would try and downplay all the white on the fireplace by maybe staining or painting the mantel or adding something that isn't so stark to the surround. If you like the red, would you consider painting the wall that is red now a more neutral color and then hang a painting of some sort with the bold red in it? That way you're accenting the wall but not to an extreme. If possible move the TV so the focal point is the fireplace and the beautiful architecture.

Laura Williams-May · Answer

I like a lot of art would both highlight the art and tone down the red expanse.
It dosn't have to be expensive. Beware of the heat rising from the fireplace.

Swinnen Lisette · Answer

If it was my house, I would paint continue to use the same green paint, on the inside (deepest part), instead of the beige. It will dull down a but the red, but not too much. Keep the white tough.

Cindi · Answer

I would get one of those decorative iron gates that are rounded on top, it would cover the whole thing and the TV could go over it, or you could hang some sort of artwork, but I think it would look kind of 'stacked' with the TV underneath. They also have smaller metal artwork that might work and still look nice, maybe something round. I think the gate would look great though and make a beautiful statement.

Liz · Answer

To soften the look of the red, and make it 'recede' a little, you can wipe on a dark glazing paint, and then wipe off as much as you like. We have a beautiful red hutch that was done this way, and it really softens the red so that it's not so much 'in your face'. Hope this helps.

Lynda Dexter · Answer

I would dry brush a pearl paint over the red. It would pick up the texture you added and tone down the red.

Johnchip · Answer

I would paint the mantle surround black and consider one simple line of black trim on chimney stack above the tv at same distance as unit from mantle.

Mary Ker · Answer

White stripes, one up each side of the fireplace, about 3-4 inches in from the edge, will make it less monolithic.

Cool Grammaw · Answer

I know NOTHING about decorating and color coordination, but you could change the white wall(s) to a sand color. I love the red (my previous home had a red kitchen that was fabulous). It will make the red look like a jewel surrounded by gold! I do like the idea of using some black trim or lines for accent. Or black and gold.

Angela johnson · Answer

Thank you for all the help😊

Vic C. · Answer

Red wall! What a BOLD statement it makes! My suggestion is to put a few pictures on black & white frames above the tv screen, and add some spot lights above highlighting the pictures and the wall textures! One example of the pictures on red wall here to create the contemporary look: http://www.eastsidehomelink.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Deep-Red-Living-Room-Ideas-with-Wall-Photo-Frames-and-Large-Square-Ottoman-Coffee-Table.jpg Cheers, Vic

Samantha · Answer

Johnchip is onto something there. To be honest I have a red fire place with a sort of magnolia colour on the other walls to really stand out the red (my one is known as tir na nog by dulux here in Ireland) and we have a black fire place that really brings up its fancy look! I also have my sofas and curtains the same colour as the red to bring the colour around the room.  But because the fire place is black against the rich red it really created a focus point. And it keeps it cosy feeling too for those family nights in. I love having a sitting room with that cosy loving feeling. :)

Suellen Hintz · Answer

I like the red wall but the addition of green in the shelves/bookcases gives it a Christmas vibe.  I would perhaps repainted those to the cream color, and bring in some of the green in throw pillows and area rugs, keeping in mind your greens don't have to match exactly and they can be smaller touches.  You didn't mention what sorts of decor you like but I'm guessing rustic.  Pop this wall with some distressed items and through these bring in other colors, turquoise or school bus yellow.  Lamps, bowls, vases, throw rugs.  Colors don't have to match but need to go with each other...bright, dull, somewhat soft, it's your decision!  Have fun.

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