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Fireplace makeover - ideas?

8 years ago

Hi all, any great ideas?
I'm thinking of adding a natural wood beam as a mantle and floating timber shelves on the right hand wall side.
What about the bricks though? Do I leave them or paint (white? Or nearly white?) I think light whitewash might be nice if they were darker bricks but it will work here and don't want it looking grey.
Eventually will install gas fireplace. Curtains are going.

Featured Answer

gingermeggs

8 years ago

Dulux make a wonderful product called Acratex if you are inclined to DIY render sharp and contemporary. Is available in a range of colours but can be tinted to preference at the shop. Shudder to think what it's made of to be so good, but we rendered three fireplaces three years ago and not a whisker of cracking or other deterioration since (may need to point grooves to assist render to adhere). We also installed bookcases in the recesses beside two of them, and we're very happy with the added storage and overall effect.

before & afters

1.

2.

cheers,

gingermeggs

Comments (11)

kriss15
Original Author
8 years ago
These are some ideas I've had
Vy
8 years ago
l like the first photo ..paint it white with the floating shelf..
kriss15 thanked Vy
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Rubicon Landscapes
8 years ago
Here is an example of a makeover than we did on an old brick fireplace.
nfunit
8 years ago
I think you're on the right path - what I notice is that in the idea images you've picked, the fireplace area and the adjacent wall are unified with the same colour tones and shelving elements. With your full length windows, I'd be aiming to make this side of the room look like a single wall unit/storage wall. Here's a couple of thought starters - the 2nd one hides an air con unit behind the lattice...
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kriss15 thanked nfunit
KK1000
8 years ago
Paint IT your favorite colour add couple shelves above it and a mirror and fill in space on the left with some storage cabinet that would go all the way up. You can either custom make it by kitchen supplier or look at IKEA for budget friendly option.
KK1000
8 years ago
Or you can have a study desk instead of storage, and same shelves above it.
atcomas
8 years ago
My sister had a similar brick fireplace in a 1930s house. I jack-hammered up the hearth bricks (hire a large jackhammer to make light work of it) as it was a tripping hazard and all the bricks around the fireplace. I installed a black polished stone hearth, wood framed a surround and sheeted the outside. Bought a second hand Victorian arched fireplace and second hand mantlepiece. Installed a gas wood fire with fan. Once painted, it looks like the original fireplace has been restored. Before you do anything, check on the regulations for gas fireplaces in your area. It will need a flued chimney and need to be fitted by a gas technician. You will also need to have cross-ventilation in the room (floor grates or wall vents). Decide on your fireplace style and then re-design the hearth and opening based on the dimensions of the gas fireplace itself. The bricks above the opening can have battens fixed to it, then sheeted off with plasterboard to give a smooth finished wall. Decide on the look of the "chimney wall" above the fireplace and how it will be used i.e. just a similar look wall to the rest of the room, a feature wall (paint, brick, wallpaper etc), or will there be a large mirror or feature painting? Given the recess between the two brick columns, you could sheet the existing bricks to look like walls and keep the recess. In the recess, you could mount a TV or fix a large mirror or painting to fit the space which will make the room look larger and brighter. Consider dimmable lights on each side of the chimney. If you don't keep the recess between the brick pillars and keep the look of a smooth chimney wall, the hidden space between the pillars could contain wiring from the ceiling for lights and/or power points and cabling for a wall-mounted TV.
kriss15 thanked atcomas
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7 years ago
Fantastic ideas with the wood and brick combo. Perhaps juxtapose this with some modern window coverings, like wooden venitian blinds or block our roller blinds? Hope this helps. Can't wait to see the finished product.

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Nicki Edwards
7 years ago
would love to know what you decided to do. Have just bought a house with identical colour bricks and can't decide whether to paint or whitewash.
kriss15
Original Author
7 years ago
Still haven't done anything yet Nicki, but will probably paint rather then whitewash. I'll post back once done although it's on the never ending list of jobs so not sure when that will be!

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