Dear Readers, please give Thea some advice! We are looking forward to your ideas!
Wow, you all! The ideas that you shared last week on Rachel’s bedroom dilemma were just fantastic! So many creative and imaginative suggestions to pore over. I am going to help Rachel when I get back from the beach and will share the “after” pics of her room when we are done.
Now on to this week!
Thea has a fantastic floor to ceiling brick fireplace. However, she wants to give it a new look. It is the focal point of the room and she feels it needs more pizzazz.
Here’s a pic: 
It is pretty unusual with the built in shelf instead of a mantel. If she wants to brighten up the brick, she can always do what I did and whitewash it. 
Or, she can paint the brick the same color as the walls and it will incorporate nicely into the room. I am not sure what to advise about a mantel – ideas?
What Would YOU Do? Comment below! Thea and I are looking forward to your ideas!
I would whitewash it and just add one large rectangular picture, mirror or metal sculpture. It looks too cluttered. I would not set anything on the shelf.
Your suggestion of whitewashing is good if the walls are a light color. Take all the little stuff off the mantel and hang an oblong oval mirror above mantel. Use the mantel for simple seasonal décor…..no knicknacs.
Shabby chic it cream. Take off all the clutter. Take off the huge initials sculpture. Put a muted cream/blue shades French Impressionist print in the center. A good one, not the kind with the cheap gold frames. Put two recessed lights in ceiling above it. Put two or three mercury glass candlesticks on shelf. The silver logs are pretty but take off the ribbon and stack them nicely.
I would definitely whitewash the brick. I would wrap the mantle and the gap below it with wood to make it look more like a mantle and not brick. Either paint it or use an aged barn wood. I would hang a large canvas above the fireplace – nothing with a heavy frame. Depending on how it looks, perhaps the black metal could be painted too. Thea’s fireplace has so much potential.
Hi Thea, I definitely recommend painting the brick and removing all of the items on the shelf. My original thought was to paint it white, almond or a light taupe and keep the initial art. The initials are personal to your family. I would paint the initial art black or a dark gunmetal color for a wrought iron look. Keep it simple and elegant by keeping the shelf clear. Do polish the fireplace tools and keep them along with the angel on the hearth. The birch logs are beautiful, but the ribbon must go. I see other logs too, so decide on one type of logs to use. I went to the Houzz website because it’s great for ideas (I don’t work for Houzz). This is the link that came up with my search: http://www.houzz.com/photos/query/painted-brick-fireplace As you scroll to the bottom of the page, you’ll see that there are many more pages of photos to check out for inspiration. Good luck with your update! PS Suzanne, I love your work at The Painted Drawer!
I would also whitewash it and then have a barn wood mantle built into it. I’d wait till that was completed before I’d decide what if anything more should go on it. I do think a mirror or piece of art should go above, framed in the same wood as the mantle. The wood needs to be kept none too heavy.
An added touch would be to all crown and a larger baseboard to the room. The crown should incorporate the top of the fireplace wall.
I like the whitewash idea too. Then I would wrap a wide beam across the front where that brick shelf is. Make the wood curve to the indents in the brick on each side. Definitely declutter and hang just one large picture above.
Thea,
I think a white wash affect is a nice touch! You can even do a slighty darker tone on tone color to make the columns pop a little. I love your initials and think you should keep them, but a darker color as an accent. What about your favorite color? Doesn’t have to be neutral. Keep the logs but they need to be arranged differntly. I think once you reach this point, if you are still stuck you can ask for more advice, but decor is personal and that should most definitely help brighten up your space! Good luck!
Jenny
I think the brick would look nice painted in cream rather than white (as in Suzanne’s 2nd picture) and place a nice piece of wood on the top shelf. De-clutter what is on the shelf now and perhaps just place 2/3 items. I like the initials art and would still keep this, but place a little higher and repaint in another colour to match whatever other colours you have in your room.
I would also ‘re-black’ the fire area and either re-place the wood with something else or, I would place a black wrought iron fire basket inside and just place so many pieces of wood in it – without the ribbons though:)
I would also re-vamp the fire irons and change what is on the left hand side of the grate – hope this helps 🙂
I think whitewashing would look great . I think it needs a wood mantel but also matching wood floor to ceiling shelves on either side . Beautiful fireplace, really hope we get to see whatever she does.
I would “wrap” the brick shelf with reclaimed lumber and/or beam/ post for a nice think, chunky shelf/mantle. And then have your ever so talented friend, Suzanne, whitewash that fireplace! Can’t wait to see the final reveal!
I think a weathered grey-shade barn board treatment in the area with the monogram is in order, way too much brick…then white wash the rest of the brick. then put a large oval or round mirror to break up the rectangular look…
I definitely would white wash the brick, or grey it leaving color to come through for aging. To compliment some of the patina I would cover the mantel with a copper lining which will in time build it’s own patina. Get rid of the clutter! Add a good size painted mirror. The area below the mantel, cover with a panel of the same
copper. Voila !
I would either paint or whitewash the brick and I would have a custom shelf made to line up with the top shelf.
Hmmm, what to do?! Well first off, paint that brick. I think, the same color as the walls. Although it’s hard to see, but they look cream? I gree with the reclaimed wood above and on the mantle area. After it’s done, a max of three things on the mantle. I think even one large piece would be plenty on the mantle with something bright and happy above the mantle for art! Well just a few ideas! Can’t wait to see it finished!