How to update an ugly fireplace

I like red brick, though not the biggest fan of the way my bricks look now. Also, is that a screen or a window? Fair lighting has also given me an idea. I am pretty sure I can't remove the brick or I would at least have to replace it with a non-combustible material.

I wonder how it would look if instead of removing the bricks in the FL's photo, I paint them to match the wall, then white wash the ones he didn't mask over to give it a brighter look. I am going to be painting the wall a different color, than it currently is. I am kind of leaning to a lighter mustard or beige. I really won't be able to tell, until after we pick the back splash for the kitchen. Lastly I still need to figure out what I am going to do with the "sitting area" around the hearth.

My mom suggested using the same granite we used for our counter tops, though, I am unsure if I like the look of high polished granite on a fireplace. I am also wondering if the mantel will be to dark for the fireplace? I do like white painted mantles. I will post pictures of the kitchen so you guys know what I have in the same room. I prefer not to "clash". Panty fridge side. Better shot of cabinets and counter top. Sherry I am not the biggest fan of painted fireplaces, though I do not like to rule anything out, until I have thought about it.

It's both actually, glass doors that open to screen doors. I like your mom's idea of matching the mantel to the cabinets. Instead of replacing it, can you stain it?

Not crazy about adding granite to the fireplace. Do you need to replace the bench around the fireplace? If not, I would leave it. Adding another material will only draw more attention to it. BH, did that come with the insert or did you add it on to your existing fireplace? Get It Together Inc. Have you thought about using Annie Sloan chalk paint? I used 3 different colours for this client to update her fireplace.

Although this falls with the gray undertone in my clients' home, there are a variety of colours to choose from. Art of the Anvil 7 years ago. If you decide to go with metal work I can design and make a custom screen or door for you. Never paint brick! Bad idea. Especially black! Who wants to look at black painted brick? One thing I would do which I have done once , is bust out the raised hearth.

Take it down to the floor and put slate or other stone that matches the level of the wood floor. Use the bricks from the hearth to mend the walls where the hearth joined them and the base of the fireplace..

It's not hard, and makes a world of difference in traffic flow and the look of the fireplace. Hi Solarity, This is a before photo when I bought the house 2 years ago. The brass was replaced with a black metal and glass insert. The fireplace is wood burning. The white moulding and mantle was also added. I actually really enjoy the raised hearth, it is a nice place to sit.

I also like the that BH added to his fireplace, the crown does make it pop. I also see BH only hasn't it around the fireplace. I would like to cover over the support pole, so it isn't as prominent of a feature. Joy Anderson 7 years ago. On the wall to the right of the fire place, you could place or hang a handsome wrought iron fireplace tools set.

That would help integrate that area. Group your accessories on the mantle over the firebox areas, instead of stringing them out. Don't put anything in the corners. Instead of one large painting, use a grouping of paintings of varing sizes.

Hang these only on the two walls above the firebox. Paint only the walls adjacent to the firebox a strong color that blends with the brick color. Use a painted wood folding screen in front of the screened areas for interest and color. It should be four panel or two panel so it can fold around the firebox. In the photo below, the motif is not a suggestion for your room - only the configuration of the screen itself. My first thought was to make simple changes and to keep this as contemporary as possible.

Hearing the wall paint color, I am making an assumption you prefer traditional or transitional. Either way, even with contemporary this photo would work. The placement seemed similar to your placement as well. Whatever you do, check your local codes for building around a fire box. Those codes will tell you how close you can be above the fire box as well as how far out over.

You want to follow these for two reasons: you don't want a fire hazard and you don't want to have to undo or redo when you go to sell the property. You can call your local city hall for easy answers to this and many other building code questions. They are usually very willing to help and frequently receive questions of this nature. On a side note regarding decorating: the attached photo lends well to two small scale leather chairs. Have you considered a warm grey color for the walls.

It would balance well with your warm kitchen cabinets and would tie in nicely to the style I have posted. Ann Danielson 7 years ago. I'd bite the bullet and get rid of the fireplace all together. I wish I had gotten rid of mine Fire is something that my wife enjoys.

I am pretty energetic person and fire is one of the few things that I can relax and be okay with doing nothing. Ladd: I think you hit it on the head and I guess you hit it on the head with my design style.

I am very anti-trend. I like functional, low maintenance, efficient long term, and something that won't be a easily dated. Granted wood is higher maintenance than gas, though it is something I enjoy. I like the idea of the chairs and am interested in the idea about the paint color of grey. I need to figure out what we want to go with the tile for our back splash. A white trim would make all of the difference! Best of luck!

Have you considered carrera marble subway style? Again, very classic and can lend itself to many different styles. This would also tie in nicely with a grey wall. However, after looking at the countertops again, it might not be a great pair.

You could always look at a glass subway tile or a white or creamy white subway tile. But the true focal point is the apparently antique slab of wood that acts as a mantel. This is not a giant slab of reclaimed and hard to find wood.

Instead, they created it from common one-by-eight Eastern White Pine boards from Lowe's. Stain and distressing give it an antique look. With the standalone fireplace craze long in the past, this one, owned by Rachel at Maison de Pax, still stood like a sentinel to the s.

Rachel had two problems. First, the fireplace was uninteresting. Second and most problematic, how do you connect this fireplace with the rest of the house? In a creative fireplace transformation that is nothing short of stunning, Rachel completely turned around the look of her old fireplace. She created beautiful open shelving to physically and visually attach the fireplace to the house.

And for another bit of lagniappe, she now has loads of storage space. Next, she added thin cut brick with an intentionally messy mortar job for a classic, antique look.

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List of Partners vendors. Before: Lacking Storage. Continue to 2 of 20 below. After: More Storage, Less Brick. Continue to 3 of 20 below. Before: Drab, Plain Fireplace. Continue to 4 of 20 below. After: Striking Tile Surround Fireplace. Continue to 5 of 20 below. Before: Uninspired. Continue to 6 of 20 below.

After: Gorgeous Wood-Wrapped Fireplace. Continue to 7 of 20 below. Before: Ponderous Brick. Continue to 8 of 20 below. After: Smooth.

Continue to 9 of 20 below. Before: Overwhelming. Continue to 10 of 20 below. Each one was a unique experience so I will share some of the methods we used to get rid of that fugly fireplace! Painting an existing mantle is the simplest way to change it up. If your fireplace surround is tile, that too, is a fairly simple fix.

A handy tile installer can easily break out the old and bring in the new! You can really afford to use something special here as it is generally not that much material so this is a great place to splurge on something you love! Paint also comes in handy if the firebox itself needs a lift.

On the image below we taped off the glass and sprayed the firebox with a Rust-Oleum flat black paint and she looks brand new! Add some new hardware to the doors, if needed, a few great accessories and enjoy your new fireplace! The brick or stone fireplace can be more of a challenge. I usually recommend cleaning the brick or stone first to see if you still hate it. Sometimes, especially on stone, a stoner sealer can bring the color back to life.