Fireplace Dilemma

7 years ago

Hi all, I have a very ugly 80s fireplace sitting in my loungeroom that I'm looking to update. Big problem; we have really high ceilings so my thoughts are it's going to be pricey. I'm after some suggestions for a nice fireplace that doesn't look too out of place in this room. Also, looking at doing a feature wall to complement the wood/brick; would any of you fabulous Houzz peeps have any inspiring ideas? Please help :-)

Featured Answer

PRO

The Mural Shop

7 years ago

Hi Josephine, great thoughts above! Here's another alternative.

Your style looks contemporary rustic, so brick is in keeping. It looks ugly now because it is unhinged from to your space and standing out. You could keep the brick and fireplace and work with them. I agree the floor needs to be darker, the colour of the darkest brick, a stone/tile/slate something natural and textured with a contemporary rustic striped floor rug, simply in the brick and floor colours with a punch of black, earthy. A charcoal throw instead of the white. Replace the bright cushions with neutral ones.

Some black accessories too in various textures. Place the TV on the alternate wall, it doesn't fit on the brick wall from a lining up view point and is jutting out. A long, portrait format artwork in charcoal, to again work with the textures, would create a focal point for the room, pick up on the brick textures and

A large, long, portrait format artwork in charcoal, to again work with the textures, would create a focal point for the room, pick up on the brick textures and balance the negative space there. It needs to line up with the lounge and curtain height. Art will establish style and theme, Soul. I've used one of mine from years ago here to give you an idea. A more contemporary frame would be best too, even one that picks up on the timber ceiling, new floor or any metallic accents you may include. Then a wallpaper or hand painted mural in light grey, say of tree trunks, on the large white wall. There's an example of this on my website. Enjoy!

Then a wallpaper or hand painted mural in light grey, say of tree trunks, on the large white wall. There's an example of this on my website. www.tailoredartworks.com.au Enjoy!

Comments (22)

thedesignworld
7 years ago
Here is a design idea. Maybe not your style, but worth a look at...
KK1000
7 years ago
I am not expert on fireplace ( or anything else for that matter) but I think you don't need feature wall, the carpet needs to be darker, or replace it with timber or tiles or something else et the moment it's all blend , I Like the white wall with timber and brick. The ceiling fan and lightning would need upgrade , and of course fire place, does it have to be wood burning, or do you have gas.
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PRO
Cordony Group
7 years ago
The brick wall is your feature wall! You can modernise it by using a wash of white!

https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/eclectic-dining-room-eclectic-dining-room-phvw-vp~107047

https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/apartment-at-suffolk-road-singapore-modern-living-room-singapore-phvw-vp~2082406

https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/chelsea-loft-industrial-living-room-dc-metro-phvw-vp~1766763

https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/soho-loft-renovation-industrial-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~20186325
User
7 years ago
The fire you have would be at least 30yr old. Check out some of the new ones.

Yes- the brick is your feature...it is a bit brick overkill though, maybe tile over the hearth with a white marble, that would work well if you painted the brick backdrop white. You'd still have texture but would reduce the darkness/heaviness of the room.
queenie
7 years ago
I just love the size of your lounge, imagining a big Christmas tree there! A whitewash sounds good, you keep the brick texture but just tone it down a little. If you're not into dusty fires any more, you might convert to gas (with cylinders to save costs for supply in summer) and mount a gas fire up on the brick wall, along with the TV, so you can get rid of the hearth and have the room look more streamlined. Add character and colour with a rug, curtains, large art works and furnishings.
Josephine Elliott
Original Author
7 years ago
Wow, this looks amazing! I am so excited to make these changes. Thanks so much; wish I was as clever as you all :-)
PRO
The Mural Shop
7 years ago
Thanks Josephine, that is what we are here for a Houzz. If you need anyone's professional assistance just contact us directly - for as the saying goes, if you think a professional is expensive, wait untill you've hired a novice! Good luck!
bigreader
7 years ago
What a difference the charcoal carpet makes! Who who'd thunk it?
Josephine Elliott thanked bigreader
PRO
The Mural Shop
7 years ago
Hi Bigreader, thank you and yes. I specified charcoal carpet to a clients bedroom years ago at their country home also with very high ceilings. they absolutely loved it. this is a living area though and a hard flooring would ne better with rugs.
annb1997
7 years ago
Here are a couple of Morso wood burning fireplaces. It may be possible to use the existing ductwork, but a professional would know about this.
Josephine Elliott thanked annb1997
Sandra b
7 years ago
Brick, timber, and high ceilings give your house a lovely rustic character. I wouldn't change.
I would modernise fans (black/timber industrial with long stem), new lights (black), remove brick hearth and install a long thick concrete or marble hearth along the entire brick wall (raised say 200ml from floor), if regulations allow.
Alternatively install modern thick hearth directly onto floor (if regulations require) along entire brick wall.
Sit your new wood burner on top and wall mount your TV.
I'd only suggest painting the dresser in the bedroom in background as it looks a bit country style (versus contemporary rustic).
Rach P
7 years ago
I love Tailored Artworks suggestions - the charcoal carpet totally lifts the space and a black & white artwork would make it - provided you can mount tv on another wall.

I think whitewashing the bricks would also look great, but if it doesn't blend in well to the rest of the house then it may not be ideal.
suancol
7 years ago
if keeping the present heating system a paint over might be interesting in a quieter colour in a heat tolerant paint
PRO
2 FIND and DESIGN
7 years ago
There are many modern fireplaces available... which you could switch out with. And a new hearth would lift it too. see link to some options

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=modern+combustion+fireplace&client=safari&hl=en-au&prmd=isvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMxfq-0-3QAhXFJpQKHeHDCcUQ_AUIBygB&biw=375&bih=559#hl=en-au&tbm=isch&q=modern+combustion+fireplace+australia
PRO
Wallsauce
7 years ago
We agree with Cordony Designs! Embrace your brick wall :)

To compliment the wall, we have some stunning woodland murals! These would not only add colour to your room but would bring the outdoors in as I can see you have a lot of natural light. Here are a few examples, they could look great on the wall behind your sofa!

Click here for 'Birch Forest Sunlight' wall mural

Click here for 'Spring Forest' wall mural

Click here for 'Sunny Forest' wall mural

We'd be happy to help!

Nicole @ Wallsauce.com
philippawright
7 years ago
Hello,

Your room is attractive but you are sensing something is not quite working and i think we use should use that feeling to look more critically.

At the moment the room can't quite decide if it is luxe or rustic, Mid century or contemporary loft style. I think the success for you will be in making that decision and using that to guide your choices. Search these styles on houzz and decide your preference. Eclectic can work but not so well in this style of home as you need to consider the scale of all your pieces which should be larger than average due to the height of the ceiling

Given this my advice would be ...

Move the TV to the other wall which frees up the area below you could add further shelving in this area or a black or white midcentury styled pot planter on legs with a strong architectural looking plant, I think Ezi buy may sell these but there will be other suppliers. depending on your cushion choice - I would n't use too much black in this room.

Your area is large enough to put a slim line mid century styled cabinet against the wall and place the tv on this if you don't want to wall mount it.

Change the lighting overhead and the fan as brass is very dated and you should stick with the chrome of the larger lamp. You could consider a chrome pendant or collection of 3 at different heights where the tv is currently.

Your brick wall is your feature so don't add wall paper or any other colour to the wall behind the couch other wise the room will become fragmented.

You could either whitewash the brick wall or leave it as it is as the current tone looks like it adds warmth and blends with the timber and the furniture. If it is quite yellow you could look at a whitewash.

I would not hang artwork on the brick as this is your feature wall and you don't need anything else confusing the eye as the room has good bones and your features are structural so they shouldn't be cluttered.

You do need art on the white wall which should remain white but you could freshen up if that doesn't mean a full repaint of the house.

If you are going to change the white brush out some old wall paper with different tones and see how they work with the bricks.

Go for something that is framed in what or a mirror or round - Ezibuy have a lovely oak frameless round mirror at present on sale.

2 find and design and Annb1997 have offered some good suggestions for fireplaces and if you remove the hearth you will need to decide on what to do with the flooring.

If your carpet is in good condition i think it goes ok for now changing to charcoal [ which is a colour I love] will fragment your room as it goes through to the bedroom - some time it is a case of defining where you will stop so I would try to simpler things first. If it is still ok I would look at a rug - think about coordinating with your cushions in some way. See below.

You could change out your cushions and bring in some texture with a couple of colours at the moment they look a bit luxe and shiny. A strong print would be good have a look at Marimeko or Orla Kiely. These designers have a retro feel with good colours and crisp designs which would enhance the loft/ potentially midcentury feel of the house.

Start with the small things first.

Good luck please post the outcome.
Josephine Elliott
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi everyone, thanks so much for your ideas. We don't move into the house until next month, so will post photos as I have them. Thanks philippawright for making me think about the direction I could be taking. I had realised that I wasn't thinking about an actual style, rather a colour or feeling, which was the thing getting me stuck. Have started looking at some mid-century style furniture/artwork to give the space a bit more personality until we can get a real feel for the room and make some bigger purchases.

2 FIND and DESIGN, thanks for linking some ideas for fireplaces. They fit in with my ideas perfectly.
LesleyH
7 years ago
Mid century modern will look great.
PRO
Cordony Group
7 years ago
philippawright is on the money with a Midcentury Modern look for this room.

Josephine Elliott and we have the perfect photos from a project of ours to tip you over the edge!

Stafford Road, Artarmon · More Info

Stafford Road, Artarmon · More Info
Stafford Road, Artarmon · More Info
LesleyH
7 years ago
Cordony Designs, your makeovers always look warm and inviting.
Kelda Hunter
7 years ago
A dark wall would add some contrast and interest and although I usually like brick in this case I think a modern installation would look cool, with a wide gas fire and the TV installed above to save space. Something like below:
Escea - DX1000 Gas Fireplace · More Info

This is an Escea gas fire that can be ducted sideways or below the floor so would be easy to install. If possible I would probably go for wooden floor with rugs as well. And totally like the idea of mid-century styling and furniture, as suggested.