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Barnhart Gallery What an amazing art installment you have! Everything else in your room is working against it, except for the warm tone from the brick painted on the FP wall. Take that color around the room, replace the red carpet with dark wood flooring, try something like this organic teak root table with a structured modern base, a hearth-grey sectional or sofa, perhaps a flokati and either bronze or steel grey on your window panels... This thing is a rock star.

Barnhart Gallery ...decided I like it better with the curtains in steel grey.

Studio S Squared Architecture, Inc. The craftsmanship is amazing; I vote KEEP. :o)

apennameandthata Actually, OnTheFence is right. You have a fireplace by a recognised artist. So, don't do ANYTHING permanent to the fireplace. I'd still use one of these on it. As Shakespeare said: "Let slip the bulldozers of renovation!"

The Virtual Designer- Kitchens & Bathrooms Looks like the bricklaying was into LSD

designideas4me I like it. You can rent out your house to movie studios and they can film in there !!

Susan Mills Design What an interesting dilemma, I think I could grow to love it. You will always have something to talk about with guests as well! I would go with a grey to black hardwood floor, pale griege walls and then rich warm wood furniture. If you decide you cannot live with it, I would do as some others have suggested and box it out, someone one day will love it.

Judit holy heaven!

ceceluvss I like the fireplace its gorgeous dont paint over the brick really makes it but u should try to put some bright furniture in that would really help the room has alot of potential

Darzy I really like Susan Mills Design suggestions. Very nice and can look fab in the space.

Your FP has a personality for sure and as you say "he" looks like it could eat you if you got too close! Let's select a name for "him". I say..."Hungry Howard"...or...dare I say? "Hannibal". :) Just having fun...no offense meant.:)

Barnhart Gallery jc, this room is in my head now -- I can't stop thinking of more ways to bring it together. If you're a music or architecture person, I'd perhaps bring in a large sepia tone photo of the Los Angeles Opera House in a clean silver frame, perhaps with the Sydney Opera on the other side in a similar treatment. If you're more of a nature person, there are a million organic images that would work, but I'd be sure to keep your color scheme tight, drawing from the brick and mortar -- plus white -- to minimize the obvious (and quite wonderful) visual chaos. I would also find a way to work in an image of Spofforth. The former TV producer in me is thinking perhaps a cookie image (light box projection) that you can barely make out against the middle of the swirling sea of brick. So many delightful possibilites...

feeny I think that in a really funky, artsy, eclectic room design, this fireplace would be fabulous. But if you aren't interested in embracing the way it echoes Gaudi and anticipates Gehry, I'd prefer to see if you could take it out intact and sell it to someone with a more experimental aesthetic.

chrisclay The sooner you demo the better. As a stone mason it easily ranks in top five of ugliest projects ever.

Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design Ripping out this stone work would be a real shame. Like others have said, if you can't wrap your head around this, just cover it up with a box. I guess this is really the kind of challenge that appeals to me. The fireplace is the only thing that is interesting about the room.................

Maria Billingsley of J Hettinger Interiors Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

clt96881 I would keep the fireplace. You have an art piece, so showcase it. Focus on making everything else gorgeous, and be sure to pick really good furniture. I found a link to the artist and his work is respected. I would keep the fireplace, leave it as is, and try to get a local decorator to highlight and incorporate it into a cohesive design. http://www.masonryconstruction.com/Images/Prolific%20in%20Brick_tcm68-1375673.pdf

patriciarhall grappled for 5 years with a similar situation in my home and had a few contractors in to see about doing something else with the fireplace. Finally, hubby brought in a wheel barrow and a sledge hammer and we carted all of it out to the dump. Joy! 5 years later sold the house with a handsome profit. You just can't fix it.

nevadan Love your firplace. Here's how to enhance it. Enlarge the window in the room and change the window's style. The present window style clashes with the firplace. Put down a hard flooring that has almost no pattern or texture. A dark hardwood would work. Then use a large light gray textured area rug. Your furnishings need to be chosen to work with the general scheme. What about some more curves - a curved sectional - a round coffee table - etc. get rid of the track lighting. Acquire some fireplace accessories thaty look good with your fireplace. Light a fire and enjoy.

chrisclay Really, you could painstakingly remove 1/2" of grout and replace with something more subtle. The design has already grown on me, and church turned out nice

Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design As a favor I'd love to hear and see what you finally decide to do. This is one of the more interesting issues I've come across here on Houzz!!!!!!!!!!

collettec As was mentioned above, this does have more of an "indoor/outdoor" feel and it appears he did a lot of his work outside. I would consider going with that for a more natural rustic feel for the rest of the room, natural colors, a color from the fireplace for the walls and wood or slate for the floors. Would use larger more rustic pieces of furniture to balance out the heft of the fireplace. Some larger and interesting art pieces as well. The fireplace and this artist's work with the use of natural materials in his undulating forms, different perspective, etc. and unusual use of materials reminds me of various "hobbit houses" and "hobbit rooms". I too, like Jeffrey Brooks would love to see what you do with it!
Per the "hobbit houses" -
http://freshome.com/2012/12/27/10-bewitching-hobbit-houses-seemengly-inspired-by-tolkiens-fantasy-novels/

panjatty I agree with emzc -- treat this as more of an "outside-in" room. The white/beige paint does nothing to complement the brickwork. I'd choose a mid-range color from the brick (some shade of terra cotta) and continue it onto the ceiling in a slightly lighter shade. I might even consider extending the hearth with built-in benches on either side maybe in an organic shape that mimics the curves. To take it a step further... it looks like the two windows in the room are different shapes, sizes and styles which isn't helping the fireplace. Rather than trying to match the two windows, I would consider replacing the window on the left wall with french doors to bring in what appears to be a lot of greenery right outside that window. I would use full glass panels -- divided lights would be too busy (photo below). Your first photo really had me thinking "how horrible!", but looking at the brickwork full-on and seeing the chimney... I've really grown to love it. Mind you, I have no problem covering over a truly hideous fireplace -- I have contractors doing exactly that as I type this! Your fireplace, however, is SO different and SO amazing. It would be a real shame to lose something like that. You've really stirred up quite a debate! Please, please start with the cosmetic suggestions and live with them for awhile before you do something irreversible!! And let us know what you decide!

Scott Design, Inc. This is an incredible opportunity for homeowner and designer. By all means contact John Spofforth and get a sense of the man and his vision during this time of his life. Archive this information and use/interpret it to develop surroundings that add balance to the space, something that is sorely lacking now.

There is no doubt in my mind that he would cringe at the idea that painting the brick would somehow bring the room together or minimize its influence on the space. He would again say (as stated above) , “It has been completely ignored and degraded."

In this case, architectural detailing is particularly important in providing balance in contrast to such a dominant structure.

For example, Increase the height of the baseboards to 12". Continue the baseboard as a panel under each window and over each window. Increase size of window casing. Build a soffit around the room and pull it forward of the brick. Put a square column in each corner under the soffit to further define the area and give it stature. Place small recessed lights in it to illuminate the perimeter of the entire space which will emphasize area and volume. Only illuminate one or two areas of interest on the brick; do not wash it with light (like a pin light over a center piece on a dining table). This will narrow your focus. Stain the floors a deep tone (when you take up the carpet, paint or stain the subfloor to see what is preferable). Now you have a well defined, balanced space. Materials for the detailing can be rustic or very clean lined. It's a matter of style.

decor8er That fireplace is definitely a statement, but if you paint it a tan or beige color it will not make it feel more subdued. Just make it a cool focal point. Ralph Lauren has a cool deep greyish silver color. Sort of metalic. I know that might sound crazy but with a contemporary/eclectic scheme it would be a great focal point. Be brave....

Barnhart Gallery Speaking of organic images, have you seen the Bing front page for today, 1/29?
http://www.bing.com/
Just the kind of image I had in mind if photos are your thing.

tuckerpearl Has someone already mentioned that the fireplace opening is reminiscent of a Hopi or Navaho bread-baking fireplace?

swickbb Once you replace that red carpet it might not look so bad! If the other elements in the room are neutral it might feel better to you.

carmellalv I love your fireplace! What a conversation piece! There is a famous architect that does buildings like that--Frank Gehry. Change everything else..but keep that.

felizabeth13 What about letting lots of plants grow up and all over it?

centaurita Very Interesting!! This is one of those times when you "Make Lemonade". I would hire someone to get all the stones looking new (inside and outside), and in the meantime work on a project folder. Put together all your ideas, pictures, samples, etc. (paint, flooring, window treatments, trim and accessories). I wouldn't even consider painting it or tearing it out at least until I had lived with it a while.

Urbana ~ Designer Ellen Crystal barn art gallery is on the right track if preserving it.... right now the wall colour & carpet are uncomplimentary.... with the right balance of wall tone & flooring the FP will meld with space rather than be a wild disturbing entity. if everything is integrated together... think of the most cohesive homes like FLW "Falling Waters" you have flow & rhythm that makes for an integrated interior. It is unique & can be a beguiling feature that will be a conversation piece for many. also like Susan Mills furnishing & finishing suggestions. Otherwise, box it in, but don't destroy

ecktmj I am with the "Don't Destroy" group...what a perfect statement for the room...with the right wood floor...wall color...pot lights....look at a few designers to help you with the furnishings....this is the start of the house...celebrate it! Thanks to the posters who provided the interesting info on the artist.

Darla KEEP THE FIREPLACE...I LOVE IT...I dont know what your taste is...BUT have you ever seen the storybook homes??? This fireplace would go great with them. go on line and type in stroybook homes and build your home around that.

imlaurel Your fireplace has provoked a storm of comments, for and agin' it. I think it is amazing, but I don't have to live with it in a living room. You have an instant conversation starter, that's for sure.
Even if you don't like it, it would be a shame to destroy it. If you don't need a fireplace in that room, build a wall in front of it and have built in cabinets and shelves on either side.
If you love, then decorate around it. It is a tough one, so would be worth a couple of hundred dollars for a professional's design ideas.
You can be playful and paint the waves different colors (not strong or bright!). To keep the brick, you could paint the wall a similar color which would help it to blend in. To completely minimize it without destroying, paint it and the walls all the same color.
Good luck and be sure to let us know what you do.

Darla ON THE FIREPLACE, I WONDER IF YOU ADDED SOME TREE LOGS TO DEFINE IT A LITTLE MORE LIKE THIS ONE IS DONE, IT WOULD HELP BRING THE FIREPLACE TO LIFE. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU CAN KEEP THE FIREPLACE. IN THIS WORLD OF COOKIE CUTTER HOMES, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT CHANGE

Barnhart Gallery Y'know, Darla, that might look very cool to define the sides -- sort of like columns with still a little bit of root and twist to the trunks. Just saw an Extreme Log Cabin show where the home's central column looked more like the actual tree, stripped of its bark. Neat idea to frame out the masterpiece.

Digital Imaging by Tina - Interior Designer The thought may be Stone Age, but “If it ain’t broke- don't fix it”! I think you might be sitting on a gold mine. Why is it so bad to be unique and different? Just because some of the reviewers are telling you to do away with this fireplace; I on the other hand, would work with it. It's unusual, unique and from reading your blog it could be a historic piece of art. You never know, this might inspire someone (in the art or entertainment field) one day. That’s the beauty in creating art-it doesn’t have to look good to make sense. Paint your surrounding interior and incorporate some nice looking furnishings and you’d be surprised at what you’d come up with. Follow this link on how to paint fireplace bricks: http://www.ehow.com/how_7815447_paint-ugly-fireplace-bricks.html. Don’t forget to post the after picture. Good luck! Houzz-Digital Imaging by Tina…

gypsyrose17 If you apply stucco over it the effect would be more south west adobe style...try photo shopping different ideas over it prior to actually doing anything.

DH Design, Inc. Not every piece of artwork by even notable artists is his/her finest, so it is ok that Mr. Spofforth left this room with this quirky, super-scaled piece. Don't feel guilty because you want to lasso it, tame it, and live with it. But I would not tear it out.
If you do not have a good minds-eye, have someone put it into a simple modeling program such as Sketchup so you can manipulate the colors and see what the result will be of the various suggestions you've received. A very small investment for you. (or download the free version and enjoy building the model yourself.)
I would temper it by painting the flanking walls and ceiling a neutral color and use the same neutral color to create a semi-solid heavy glaze for the fireplace, one that about 2/3's opaque. The brick pattern won't fully disappear but will relax if you choose a color 1/2-way between the lightest and darkest colors within the fireplace, including the gray mortar color in your decision. Pulling the walls and fireplace together with color will help the fireplace settle into the length of the room rather than feel so heavy and dominant in the center. From the photos on my monitor, a warm "taupe" feels better that "gray". What you are left with is more sculptural and less screaming brick. Too, with the ceiling also the same color, you minimize the strong line created where the F/pl meets the ceiling.
If it were my home, I'd leave open the option to take it beyond the glaze to opaque paint if it still felt overwhelming after glazing. Either way, your fireplace will always have strong presence.
Can't quite see the hearth, but if it isn't too dark, you might leave it. Add a strong, organic, horizontal, larger accessory to the left of the fireplace opening.
The more you make the new flooring a softer transition to the fireplace, the gentler the fireplace's impact. Not too dark.
I have no idea what your personal interior style is and who/how you'll use the room, but with a more monochromatic canvas I see either the comfort of cabin style and all the fun you can have with that or clean, contemporary, mid-century-lite, which can work well if you are fastidious and not prone to over-decorating.

rotoin DO NOT TEAR IT OUT OR ALTER IT! This is a very special and unique feature to your home. Especially considering the artist who made it, it would be a crime to alter it. I absolutely agree with Ellen Chrystal and other posters who recognize the value of this piece and suggest letting the architecture and original features of you your home inspire your decorating. On a purely economic level, you would spend far more money trying to get rid of it or hide it than you would hiring a professional designer who specializes in historic spaces. In the long run, the original features of a home are a selling point should you wish to sell your house in the future. Keep it in good repair and embrace the uniqueness -- you have a gem!

mcbriec So original and unique. Don't tear it down. Make it into a tree by plastering it and painting it to emphasize sinuous bark and then adding the tree branch mantel as suggested above. It's incredible, even though it does make one a tad dizzy look at it!

swewer I'm an artist, but art is best on a canvas or a sculpture where you can relocate it if it doesn't suit. This is an atrocity. It looks like a joke at first. Not even a Hobbit fireplace. I can't say that I would have bought the house with that thing staring me in the face. I would have gone running and screaming from the house right away. A home should be a calm sanctuary away from a very crazy and chaotic world. Living with a ceiling high stack of tormented bricks is not my idea of a sanctuary. Charge admission to art students to come and see it, let them know about the artist who made it, then with the proceeds , hire a professional to knock it all down and donate the brick to a Habitat for Humanity.
Thanks to your photo, I will be having a fireplace nightmare when I go to sleep tonite. :(

michigammemom Do not paint it, do not embellish it, and do not keep it if you cringe every time you look at it. It is a deeply personal and unique piece of art. I like barnhartgallery's suggestions to incorporate it into your room, but no amount of window dressing will make you love that fireplace if it doesn't suit your personal aesthetic. I love the quirky fireplace in this photo, but I wouldn't want it in MY home.

peetsoo Very unique......in a world o cookie-cutter things.............I like to think I would work with it or at least preserve it somehow.....if you do Im hoping you post some pictures ............

nikitasmom Am I the only one who sees a fish in the design?

Blue Pacific Contractors, Inc. I know I am toward the end of this conversation and maybe many of you have already suggested this. I did not read all of these comments before responding. My suggestion would be to build wood columns matching your new hardwood floor on either side of the fireplace to create a straight line and help to balance the wall. I wouldn't suggest painting the brick, I think that it is beautiful. I would suggest painting the walls to compliment the brick. Perhaps the color of the mortor. You may also want to have white baseboards and crown molding. I think that would balance the look of it well. Also I have been loving decorative wood in the fireplace. It may keep the thought of being eating by the fireplace out of childrens minds ;) See the very quickly done mock up attached, please use your creativity!

centaurita I just found this .pdf article about your artist and his contact info is at the bottom.
http://www.masonryconstruction.com/Images/Prolific%20in%20Brick_tcm68-1375673.pdf
It is however dated 1998.

Blue Pacific Contractors, Inc. Do you have a picture of the hardwood you will be replacing the red carpet with?

Blue Pacific Contractors, Inc. Maybe add a concrete mantle between the wood columns I suggested. Thick, masculine, simple, and it should balance the fireplace more.

centaurita I just found out that Sporfforth did a wall in the Ohio Governopr's mansion herb garden.

StylishStaging I respect the artistry but personally would like the space better with a more traditional fireplace. I would love to see the fireplace removed in sections and reconstructed for an art gallery.

gypsyrose17 You know....someone pointed out it is a fish in the design...do the entire room as an aquarium..

jcorrigan77 I didn't run screaming from the house because the property and location have so much else to offer. I thought I could wrangle this thing into submission with changes to the rest of the room. After all, I was also looking at wall to wall red carpet and blue trim!! Additionally, I didn't think I would have such a hard time destroying the "art." After doing more research, wouldn't I be a fool to destroy it and then find out it was worth more than the house!!?? Fat chance, I know, but still!

The home sits among a pine forest with a pond and lots of really lovely natural features. I think this is what inspired JS and previous owners. The current owner too, as a matter of fact. In one of the articles, Spofforth mentions that he doesn't treat exterior brick because he like to see those pieces change, grow, evolve naturally. Now, I'm actually considering not cleaning the exterior chimney, but rather leaving the discoloration as part of his plan.

I'm loving the idea of clean, simple, contemporary furniture and pulling in organic, natural elements. Thanks so much for all of your suggestions!!! This is a TOUGH one for sure!!! :)

kimdee24 Jcorrigan -- I know you're going to find a way to work with this and create a space that you can not only live with but enjoy. I can't wait to see how it turns out in the end. Good luck and keep us posted!

Teri Sugg It is amazing! It would be sinful to take it out or paint it. Perhaps painting the surrounding wall a color that would help it to blend into the wall more would help calm the effect.

judyg I see the fish. And the mouth of the shark attacking it. It is like a Rorschach Ink Blot Test! :>). Has it been determined if there is any value there?

sapphire27 Personally, I love it. However, the dry wall looks odd with it. It makes me wonder if that was added later and there is something behind it. Anyhow, I agree with those who suggested painting the wall the color of the mortar. Adding decoration, columns, etc to the wall around the edges could possibly merge the fireplace with the wall better.

StylishStaging I agree, if you are keeping the fireplace then you need to dress the room with contemporary clean lines, add some texture with a light colored dense shag rug on the wood floor and some clear glass elements.

Jayme Hobbs You still lmay be able to get it "wrangled" somewhat!! That red carpet is wild, so once that's out of there, and the rest of the room is toned down it likely will make things calmer! Have to admit I was shocked by the appearance of it....but then I started to tilt my head, look at it, and think.....Well...maybe it is something to be thought about and worked with"...Good luck! I enjoy your articulate wit.

janishill I've only read about half the comments, but Alice in Wonderland was my first thought.

Like you, I do not like it. There is hope though: painting the walls, changing out the floors and adding your own decorative items and a mantle may just be the best way to go. You might end up loving it!

Genevieve Not something that would want but we must admit that this person is a genius . It took many hours of laying these bricks to obtain this design . A show stopper and conversation piece at is best and I can only imagine how much this work had cost it the owners. You either love it or hate it that's for sure . Try to live with it for a bit, if you cannot .....then take it down.completely .

Digital Imaging by Tina - Interior Designer Okay it's all about design right??? Well how about decorating the fireplace in mosaic tile??? Just a suggestion; my personal opinion, I think it's really cool!!!! Oh by the way those of you who saw the fish, so did I...Take a look. .... HOUZZ "Digital Imaging by Tina"

Genevieve I was so mesmerized by this sort of genius masterpiece that i forgot completely about the furnishing.
If I had something like this in my house I would play with my imagination and find furniture that would relate to this design, like contemporary , take a look at the Bilbao in this
http://www.1contemporary.com/contact.html
.

robynneb Holy mother! Thats the most bizarre fireplace Ive ever seen, bull doze it!!!

onthefence I'll bet Mr. Spofforth would be fascinated by this discussion ;-)

Jacy Spillman I love it! I think you're lucky to have it! Just think of it as your inspiration piece and let it set the tone of the room. Consider painting the walls dark grey like obsidian glass by Glidden to complement it. Maybe a go for a goth modern look?

Echo Mistwalker I'd use the darkest hardwood I can find and paint the wall BM-1000 Pashmina. For furniture I'd go very modern. I think it's pretty cool.

dmldml It is a piece of art, but it is not well integrated into the architecture of the space, like the church. I think that is what is bothering everyone. So I agree, if you can live with it, you have a lot of ideas to work with it. My contribution to this is to play up the rustic on that wall and perhaps in some select areas of the room. Have you considered cork or cork bark walls? Something like this might integrate the fireplace into the surrounding wall. The other walls in the room could be pick up a color of the cork wall covering. It looks like there are plenty of cork patterns that would work with the fireplace and I believe both you can get free samples. Here are a few examples:

http://www.amcork.com/wall-tile.asp.

http://www.corkstore.com/Products/Cork-Bark-Wall-Tiles_3/Wall-Tile-Cork-Bark

http://www.leecork.com/corkpro/cork_bark.asp

Of course, if you can't live with it, take it down. I agree with most that painting it would not solve the problem if you don't like it. It's the undulating nature of it that can be disturbing, and that won't change with paint. Also, it will just look like you tried to cover it up.

As they say, love it and enhance it - or lose it!

maggiemae0552 call or email the Smithsonian and see if you can talk to someone who is familiar with this artist and get their thoughts. Also maybe you could get a beautiful old persian rug and use it as a wall hanging over the fireplace. i wouldnt do anything to the fireplace until u have opinions from several experts.

maggiemae0552 your local historic preservation office for your city or state may also be interested and funds are sometimes available for use in preserving works of art. i have no idea if this qualifies but the calls are free. :). Never hurts to ask!

JP Warren Interiors You would be crazy to touch or alter a single brick of the house. You are literally living in a sculpture. Anything on the property that was done by the artist should be preserved. I say research him and embrace it.

maggiemae0552 one more thing...the Smithsonian is very interested in American folk art and preserving American folk art and I think this would qualify. I am from Virginia and my aunt used to do archeological work for them and i remember her talking about the native American art objects they found and about the old wood carvings found in the Shenandoah Valley. I bet they could give you just the advice u need.

centaurita Just wanted to suggest to you that you choose really strong large pieces for this room. Couches, chairs, tables, lights and such.

carole sure you dont need another comment,but i have to say keep it,it is so unusual!!

nlf31763 Oh my...never in my life have I seen anything like this. I'm not too sure painting will help that much. No matter what color they are painted you will still get the curve. If it is at all affordable after the wood floors are decided on, I think either a stacked stone or river rock for that fireplace would be so warm and inviting.

G3 Studios Decorative Painting Because its so organic looking and similar to a tree trunk I think I would lean towards that earth tone idea of warm mushrooms or a warm gray and let the flow of the brick be the visual pull instead of the different colors of the brick being the draw. DO NOT tear it out or destroy it. Anything done architecturally from known artists always hold value and already have a limited life because of the nature of buildings becoming old and rundown. The paint can always be removed later to preserve integrity if need be. IF you do decide to get rid of it make sure that a professional carefully disassembles it so you can sell the material as reclaimed and unique sustainable product.

Design Mode You called it - Ugh. It's not even quaint or gently flowing. It's just a big wad of odd and creepy.
Yes, sell it on ebay, or to a restoration company, museum, etc. It's the kind of art that makes you go, "AHHH!" in a horror-movie kind of way.
I like symmetry, clean lines, and classic design. Georgian, Modern, Art Deco, Prairie Style - ooh la la. I don't like Gaudi, Gothic, or Art Nouveau. (Although a few people in my Interior Design class did...barely a few.) Whenever there is a mad genius in movies, that's the kind of style they like. Are you one of them?

peetsoo The more I look at it, the more I like it.......(it did catch me off guard at first) ......I suppose it has grown on me...........I'll bet there is someone out there who could do the room up in such a way that you wouldnt believe you ever questioned it. So unique..........

rnmomma Would a museum or collector pay for it? Maybe it could be removed in one piece--and used elsewhere.

nevadan This is not a museum piece. It has no value. But I think someone worked hard to design and build it. It is distinctive and has a unique scuptural quality. Enjoy it, don't destroy it.

maggiemae0552 your state homebuilders association might be interested. I hope a designer in your area sees the discussion and comes to your rescue. This would be a great test of design skill...

libradesigneye I'm glad you want to keep it.
I would alter it a bit however - by staining all the brick a uniform modern taupe greige the pattern of wave would be easier to see and become more harmonious. I also love the idea of barnwood / reclaimed cedar plank siding for the rest of the room - ideally washed warm cream to bring out the grain /greiges but keep the room light. I think the same idea of driftwood found mantle that could be a branch of a tree shaped to the space would be amazing and worth executing. Then you have a modern art piece that complements the room style rather than a 60's mod art piece that dominates the room. Even the artist would endorse adjustments to keep rather than demolish.
Sadly, I know enough about masonry to know this is not able to be removed in one piece to your garden or anywhere else . . . . .

dlbmft Wow! My first thought was to cover it up with AirStone or something like that, but it does kind of grow on you, and I like brick. Simple clean lines are needed to keep the room from turning into Alice In Wonderland but don't have to be "modern". With the house in the setting you described I'd consider going rustic instead. If the brick blended with the room's decor instead of sticking out like a sore thumb, the pattern in the brick might become interesting instead of unsettling. I'd go with the folks who suggested rustic paneling on the wall. This fireplace isn't something anyone can just fit their existing stuff around. The room needs to be furnished and decorated with the fireplace as the starting point. Heavy rustic cabin-in-the-woods decor might ground the room in reality.

myrns I have nothing to add but want to be notified to see what finally happens to this special structure. In what part of the country is it? Very interesting discussion!

Sannene Garehime Interiors I thinks it's great but not in red brick. I would try the charcoal grey in a eggshell. If ti doesn't pull off have a dry waller or plaster come in and mud over the grout lines so it is smooth and then paint.

tbone927 Love it! That is a true focal point! Paint the walls a coordinating color and decorate around it!

decoenthusiaste Please reference Dali and Gaudi before you "upgrade" or "demo" your FP!

tbone927 Dark grey....

miniappleman Go for a tree theme. Head-on picture could see as the large trunk of a tree with the fire box being a hollow into the trunk. Do the surface in vertical bark pattern. You'll be putting logs in your tree and lighting it!

Looks like the designer never met a straight line he liked. :-) Awesome fireplace.

vesteroni Looks like the folk of the faraway tree might live up there - Beware before lighting!

Genevieve Painting it will be a terrible mistake ,you will distort the art,this piece must be left alone .

redesign-gallery This is an amazing find! You need to embrace this, JC. Many good ideas above and I would agree with mortar matched wall paint, move the furniture to change the focus away from it, know that you are living with a rare piece of art. If it eventually gets to be too much for you the cap (mentioned above) it but don't destroy it. I have spent years in historical restoration and this is truly a piece to keep in good shape. You might check to see if the local museum would want to relocate it to their facility. Mortared structures are difficult to move but this is so vertical that bracing it for the relocation would be fairly straight. Aside from that I would keep it and treasure it.

martine81684 Have been following this entertaining thread. However, today I can't look at that fireplace. I flew home through quite a bit of turbulence and have felt queasy ever since. One glance at that brick and ... help!

Lkristine Keep the extremely unique fireplace and work with it. Here is an example. A couple of links. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Crystal-3-Light-Chandelier-with-Large-White-Shade/6753098/product.html http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Gray-Mandolyn-New-Zealand-Wool-Rug-8-x-11/6578746/product.html Just ideas, the color of accent wall, fireplace, etc. could be changed to taste, but cost effective and beautiful are definitely possible.

Design Mode Embracing attempt - repeat the undulating & broken lines in similar tones.

swewer Ahhh.Just watched the artist's video. He is beyond being an eccentric artist..he is classifiable. I will say it again..this fireplace is a monstrosity. It is not art. IT was created by some lonely cuckoo man who also painted Osama Bin Laden, W Bush, and Christ all in the same figure. He is 5 cans short of a six pack. Destroy the damn thing just like the Ohio University is destroying his brick wall. His " art" is not meant to be enjoyed or last the generations. He needs to find greater meaningful projects in his life. Watching him doddering around in that video reminded me of Russell Crowe in " A Beautiful Mind" ( toward the end when he totally lost it ). There are many ways to express beauty. Art was meant to express beauty, not dysfunctional torment.

sylvestercat Did you like it when you bought the house? It is a conversation piece. . . I can imagine it either growing on you, or driving you crazy. . . Wonder if you could incorporate some kind of metal art that would wrap around it.....continue the art idea?

Aggie Purvinska Tile it Antoni Gaudi Style...

sylvestercat I think plants might be a huge help....... Hope you have a green thumb......but don't take it out.

aebj Wow.... Looks like somebody was having a bad trip when they built that fireplace. I'll grant you it's very unique, albeit scarey as all get out. Does it eat pets and small children? J/k. Something that unique, I think you are duty bound to keep. You could always hang a curtain in front of it and charge for a peek at Halloween. Sorry! There I go again. I got nothing. Sorry. Hope you find a good solution.

aebj Instead of painting the wall it's on, maybe a stone finish would tame it down some. I'd take that tract lighting down tho. It's only going to encourage the thing.

Chelsea Wells Lowe's 1747 That would not be for me that's for sure. The only way Id keep this is to go for a story book home look (someone posted some photos earlier), which is awesome BUT it takes a certain kind of person to want to live in a house like that every single day. This piece does cause quite a conversation, you may just want to keep it :] If the fireplace is crazy you might as well go all out on the whole room! I also liked the tree theme idea posted above!

eryahraus Don't demolish it. (1) it is original to the house; (2) it is an original structural sculpture. Painting it white could be a good option. The color will lighten the and expand the room while still showing the interesting curves of the sculpture. If you absolutely hate it and will die if you have to wake up one more morning just to see it, I think your best bet would be to drywall around it, including the step in front of it. That would also provide you with niches to include built -in shelving, display, and storage flanking either side (It would also make a cozy reading area in front of the window.). By doing this, the house will still maintain its originality but you won't have a monster in your living room anymore. Furthermore, the tracklighting must be replaced because they appear to lower the ceiling hieght, which already appears rather low (fireplace doesn't help). Try recessed cans spaced 6-8 feet apart with pinholes about 2 feet apart to highlight the fireplace.

Genevieve When you purchased the house this fireplace was already there right?
You must have liked it or you wouldn't have bought the house , if I see something that I don't like I wont buy it , and for something of this large scale I would think on how much work it would be to take it down and how much money it would cost me to fix the area ,therefore the easiest solution to your dilemma is .... sell the house as is ,someone will like it.

Its somwhat like a Picasso I wouldn't want one but others have paid millions for one , also remember that many artist have become famous at some point in their lives either they were alive or dead , so my dear I really think that you have a masterpiece that you don't like.

http://thepost.ohiou.edu/content/ou-alum-upset-over-casual-disregard-his-wall

Judy M I think the "artist" was tripping on LSD. I think that was the drug of choice back then???

Genevieve Most artist have illumination during hallucinations

rinqreation Wow, no going around that one! Quite a statement indeed. I'd paint the adjacent walls charcoal and the rest offwhite, it will add an earnest charm to the wooden floors. If the lovelife between you and your fireplace turns out to be nothing more than a huge first impression, paint it offwhite.

Lkristine Whatever you decide to do, this will be amazing to see! Please post after pics!

hazeldazel wow, the outside picture of the chimney reminds me so much of a trunk of an old tree trunk.
I hope you can work with the fireplace in some way to bring out the artistry. I like the ideas some others have posted.

CBH Design I say paint it - I think grey. Go with the crazy idea some past owner has had and make it your own. When you paint it, it will become a wave and be much more soothing - I really think it could be a statement. Repeat some curves elsewhere and throw in some organic complements as well. I think the quirkiness is worth saving.

T.J. Reynoso Wow, that is a huge dilemma.

Two things come to mind:

1) Do a Wise Guys theme (the movie) and make it open up to create a bar and entertainment center,

or

2) Sell your house, someone will love it.

joffler If it's art, preserve it. But you can still live with it. If this was my house, I'd compromise by leaving the exterior chimney as is (maybe a power wash) and drywalling around the interior fireplace so that it's left in tact and not 'in your face" on a daily basis (let's face it, it's not a focal point but an intrusion).

zindor I love that artistic fireplace. If nothing else, it will be a conversation starter when you have guests over! Try the wood floors and a wall color that matches a color from the fireplace. For furnishing, I see worn, brown leather furniture. Remove the track lighting. If you just got the house, live with it a little while with your new decor and see if the fireplace grows on you. Really, it's the red carpet that makes me groan and I like red. That said, I did remove my 1968 monstrosity of a fireplace in the last year, but mine was not the least bit interesting when compared to yours.

alka96 Oh! It is a piece of art! You need to change floor in dark wood, paint the wall near fireplace off white to beige, because now with these colors(red on the floor, mustard something on the wall) you point out the fireplace. The rest of the wall something pale in lilac or blue. You need to hang color on the walls, even near the ceiling, cause fireplace is tall. Then you should put bright furniture, like off white leather couch etc. hope this helps!

Genevieve If you really hate it so much then as someone already mentioned , build around it without disturbing the brick art that took so long to accomplish, if one day you decide to sell your house you will show the person who is interested in buy it a picture of the original fireplace to give them an idea of what is hidden under a layer of drywall .

Jimena Campos just let us know what do you decide to do with it. I am very curious to see the final result but I hope you keep the monster fireplace. It is very, very interesting. Sincerely, Jimena

Promethean Remodeling, LLC That is the most unique fireplace that I have seen. Quite a conversation piece. I will say that I would not want to walk into the room with a good drunk on as I might get dizzy!
If not for the patterning of the brick I got excited looking at it! I would stucco the brick to give it an adobe look and continue the motiff with exposed log beams on the ceiling with old growth pine flooring. Give it a southwest makeover.

Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design I just got a notice that this is still unresolved. I'm curious to know what your thoughts are

momofanartist Wow! The LSD comment was right on! Artists are pretty out there, as the mom of an artist I know! Must've been the magic mushrooms! That fireplace is a conversation piece for sure, but I have to agree with the bulldozer comment! How about painting the fish brights and bolds? Reds, yellows, blues, turquoise, tropical colors and patterning the fabric around that? Go for sort of a bright tropical mosaic look?

calikym OMG!

Rebekkah Ziel I love it!!!! How truly unique.... I was thinking more "Bettlejuice" or Dr.Seuse... But Dali works well too.
If youre not going Avant Garde I'd tear it down and reface it... Painting it white might be worth a shot first...
If it were me I'd embrace it as is.... it's one in a million!

Kaplan Architects, AIA I would plaster over the brick. Nice!

karen paul interiors I'm offering a suggestion and I'm totally serious. Dr. Seuss has been mentioned several times. He did the Unorthodox Taxidermy collection, most of which has sold out. For around $3,000 (your investment will double in no time) you can have one of his remaining pieces. I think a tongue in cheek approach would be a great place to begin. Here it is. There are several others available.

TRS Designs, Inc (Kitchens, Baths, & More) I wouldn't touch it... it is so very unique!! Work with it or around it and I'd think you'll come to love it as much as any treasured peice of art.

twylahaj Keep the fireplace. Paint the flanking walls the same color as the mortar instead of the current attempt to match the brick and it could be amazing. Right now it's fighting with the flaking walls.
The hearth is too square for the wildly undulating brick. If possible, add a curve of some sort to the hearth. Find a way to incorporate some driftwood into your decor on other walls to bring that weathered gray around the room a little and I think you will grow to love it.
One note on changing out the track lighting: be mindful of how the lights are directed before changing them out as I suspect they were designed to add highlights and shadows to the fireplace. If you replace them, you might consider marking the places they are aimed with painter's tape before taking them down so you can orient the new lighting to the points marked with tape. MUCH easier than trying to figure out how to orient new lighting and have it look good since there was probably a great deal of thought put into it when it was first installed.
Thanks for sharing this amazing piece with us all!

lisacabinetree You have to KEEP THAT FIREPLACE!!!! It's fabulous! Work with it, keep all the other walls the same colour, no need for accent wall color, your fireplace needs to be the accent! If you want it to blend a bit more, use a medium tone paint around the enitre room.

How is the lighting? You may also want to consider wall color darker than the brick to change up the room completely. Oh, and the carpet needs to go... Something dark wood or neutral carpet will do the brick wonders. Just please, please don't consider painting it until you've changed the floor and wall color ;-)

awonkeydonkey I wish I lived in your town and had that fire place. It is amazing and the church is amazing also.

Toro-Lombardo Design Build Haha! Sorry dear, but you cannot possibly destroy that fireplace. It even has provenence! You should not even paint it, just "neutralize" the room around it by picking a color for the walls that will sing with the brick and bring order and sanity to the room.
My opinion is that you need a pofessional and a good one too. Someone who will embrace the challenge and enjoy making friends with the monster. Thank you for bringing this design challenge to us :-))

onthefence Each time someone comments and I see this fireplace again I gain more fondness for it. I'm actually starting to like it!

jcorrigan, I'm curious - do you have photos available with your own furnishings in the room?

Jayme Hobbs It has a life of it's own, and is growing on people to preserve itself!! LOL....It absolutely is an interesting work!

eljani It's alive! I would tone it down by painting it one color.

gailcochrane Can the window be expanded into large glass doors that open the room to the exterior? The fireplace screams for the outdoors and vegitation. Perhaps it's vegitarian. The flanking walls need texture as others suggested and/or some wood columns to frame it. Then large plants would help balance it along with some art works on the flanking walls.

Perhaps you could look at art work done with a palatte knife of an abstract woodland scene. The palette knife approach of the painting would add more texture to the feature wall to help balance the texture of the brick pattern. I also like the suggestion of framed and matted pictures of the artists other work grouped together as a tribute.

The track lighting has to go. Don't even try to update the fixture. Call an electrician and have see what they have to offer.

Get some small containers of paint and try various colors in gray, greens, and tans. A grayish green paint color might helpt transition to the lush outdoors I see through the window. A darker paint color might tone it down rather than highlight it, but you will be able to tell that when you paint large patches of the paint samples you buy.

You need to keep the fireplace in tack.

swewer Watched both videos of this guy . He is whack. I wouldn't want any of his manifestations taking center stage in my home.Embrace your beautiful outdoors. If this fireplace was a husband, I would have divorced him long ago.

swewer Better idea.... rent the house out as a Half Way house to recovering addicts. Wait till the artist dies. When he dies, find out if the house is worth more because of his " art ".If it is, sell the house as is.
IF not, tear the fireplace down and make one that you like. This fireplace is a bit of a joke.

jcorrigan77 Onthefence, no we arent using the room right now. We are sort of storing some wicker pieces in there. We have already taken the track lighting down but haven't replaced it. These comments crack me up! It certainly IS a conversation piece if nothing else!!

Susan Mills Design For a moment, I thought you said you were storing some wicked pieces in there, would have been fitting!

onthefence Well, I think there's no doubt this is going to win the "Houzz Interesting Fireplace of the Year' award!

There were some serious suggestions earlier that involved the use of gray and pretty subdued floor, wall and window treatments. They really seemed like they'd work well.

I'm glad for you that this isn't your main living area so you aren't forced to make a hasty decision to make it work. Certainly the a good deal of the Houzz community is watching to see where you take this!

I'm also wondering - the initial photo you posted with the red rug - were those the original owners of this house/room? If not, I'm wondering how the room was first decorated when the FP was built. Makes me wonder what the original design mindset was.

Fiorano Tile Showrooms WOW... That is very unusual. If you like the artistic value of it, then keep it, If it scares you (like it does me) I would rip it out if the budget allows. You only live once, and starting from scratch would give the opportunity to make YOUR artistic contributions to the room. I would not care about the fact an "artist" did the work and that he may be popular. YOU need to like it since YOU are living there, no one else. . (Fiorano Tile Showrooms)

jcorrigan77 No, those were the third owner of the home's belongings. I don't know what it looked like?? It was 1970, so hard to say! I cringe to think!

Barnhart Gallery Hi again -- I mentioned framing sepia prints of either/both modern architecture, like the LA Opera House, and old, as seen in the bing page I mentioned. Along the lines of the latter, check out Cappadocia, Turkey:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cappadocia&go=&qs=ds&form=QBIR

artistlife66 I love it. I'd definitely paint it. But seriously, amazing really. It's something to talk about and appreciate.

jerichambers I think it could work.. with some paint. I would go with white. It's very interesting and does make a statement.

joannpb Wow, this really brings out my wise-mouth side - Was the former owner named Baggins, by any chance?

Seriously, painting it white does transform it to something interestingly contemporary. and I love the gold fish.

lilion I know the last thing needed here is more comments, especially from someone who really knows less than nothing about design. Truthfully, I just really want updates to this thread so I finally get to see your finished room.

But in all seriousness, tearing it down would be a crime. The first photo I saw I was "Whoa!" But the more I look at it, the more I like it. Some people have suggested stucco or paint or plastering it and making it look like a tree, but why would that be any better than what it is? There is no doubt it is truly a work of art, by a nationally known artist. He may not be Michelangelo, but he's not unknown. You're right to worry that tearing this down might really devalue this house. Someone suggested painting the wall about the color of the mortar. I think that's a great idea. Either that or one of the major colors of the brick. You need some major window treatments and some big, statement furniture pieces to stand up to it. It's amazing and I'd decorate around it, making it the focal point it deserves to be, but keeping it from overpowering the room.

Have you considered some other pieces in the room that kind of mimic the feel? http://craftybot.net/bookcase.html http://pinterest.com/pin/276971445804975076/

Darzy One last chime in for me. At first I hated the FP but it is "growing" on me. I think decorating appropriately, like Susan Mills Design ideas will complement the style and "art" of the FP.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hello jcorrigan7, Marie here.
I'd either a) paint it, or b) drywall mud over it so it becomes smooth.
The drywall mud would keep the unique curves, but soften it a bit - its a cool fireplace
but it needs to be tamed!
Either way, you've got a very unique focal point - work with it, don't get rid of it - change it up a bit
to make it become more of a feature instead of an elephant!

karen paul interiors
I'm still working on a focal point for your meandering furniture

gmfarrell I love it!!!! It would be such a shame to paint it! Last year I lived in an apt with a bit of history (had been a hot springs resort in the '70s). The building has a unique design to it. It's the shape of a crescent with the front doors on the inside of the circular shape. So as you walked in, the apt appeared tiny, but as you walked to the back rooms, you would scratch your head trying to figure out how the space was appearing larger, then you would remember the crescent shape of the building. It was dizzying at first but the uniqueness quickly grew on me. What I hated about the apt were the interior design elements, that i'm sure had originally been beautiful. One was the corner brick hearth - painted white :-(. Even though there was no longer a wood stove, had it been original I would have bought an electric stove heater to use that design element. The other was a bit more original. The focal wall was paneled and framed in beams of walnut. Now, although I am retro and eclectic and a purest for originality and creativity, I'm not a fan of the '70s wall paneling. I also would have updated that, but the beautiful walnut ruined by layers of white paint was very sad. Even though just an apt for me I wanted to try to restore the brick and the wood; (I have since gotten married and moved, to a home with it's own design challenges, which brought me to this site and I will soon be posting pictures of.) I tell this story to try explain what a shame it would be to destroy or permanently alter something so wonderfully unique and beautiful in it's own crazy way. There are some of us who are totally jealous that this one of a kind work of whatever you choose to call it ended up with someone who doesn't appreciate it. If you alter it it will always be that "red headed step child" you're ashamed of and are trying to hide (no offense to red head step children intended, I am also one, which is why I love the phrase). If you work with it by designing the room around it you might end up embracing it, and perhaps even come to love it.

Sorry so long. I don't usually post my opinion in discussions anywhere, but I felt the strong need to add to the defense of this oddly beautiful piece of 'art'. I look forward to updates on the status of this room, I think....,

gmfarrell And I love the dr. Suess theme. At one place I workd I remember there being these trees that looked like they came out of dr. Suess book. I just googled dr. Suess plants and a lot comes up. You could embrace they wacky by adding some 'wacky' of your own choosing, inside and/or outside.

carole same here,hope to see what you decide to do!!!!!

anyalabunski The fireplace is great. What will work is a new wall colour for the room. Also if u changing flooring pick something rustic in warm brown colours also the brick work has multicolour in it as we'll so you can pick a shade that will blend the fireplace. With your walls more. It will look great with warm dark floors. Also try and get some large scale artwork on both sides of the fireplace or make a picture gallery wall on both sides do the fireplace with contemporary white frames. Good luck can't wait to see what you come up with

Fine Designs & Interiors, Ltd. That is an eyesore....get rid of it and start over!

joannpb Definitely NOT an eyesore unless it's treated like one! This may not be for you, but If you have the right sense of humor and can adopt quirky design, paint (or have painted) both side walls in a misty forest scene, using muted colors that almost blend into each other. The result would be more a scene hinted at through fog, than sharply defined scenery. The fireplace would be very much at home.

Whatever you do, thanks for the chance to exercise my imagination. I'm really enjoying this thread.

karen paul interiors I just discovered this photo of the interior of the Unitarian Church with a fireplace. They did a great job of addressing the design, I think.

anna_brunelle I LOVE storiybook homes and this reminds of that style. Here in northern california, storybook homes go for millions of dollars becasue they are unique and handcrafted and no two are alike. They are works of art. I suggest you study that style and add wood trim and iron, spanish revival or storybook style light fixtures and hardware to make this focal point really shine. If you remove it, you will just make your home generic. I dont underswtand people who want their homes to look like everyione else's....yours is truly special. I believe you are a caretaker of a special home, dont take the charm out of it.

furrytoes This is a very interesting discussion! I love the fireplace, but I have "quirky" taste -- definitely not a "cookie cutter" fireplace! Two directions you might consider in terms of decorating:
1. Very modern, with very strong horizontal lines to give people a steadying place to hold onto (for the ones who complained of feeling queasy looking at the undulations in the brick). Reference barnhartgallery's second design picture.
2. Bring the outdoors inside with a very woodsy, rustic theme. A subcategory of that would be "fantasy"; reference joannpb's idea of misty woods mural; or Karen Paul Interiors' Dr. Seuss.
Whatever you do, HAVE FUN! Bring out your wild, playful side.

furrytoes I've been trying to find photos that have the look/feel of what I'm imagining...so far, this is all I've come up with....Strong modern lines with wood accessories...except don't hang anything on the fireplace.

mdamron61 I would demo it and start from scratch!

soberg My first thoughts were very negative. However, studying the fireplace and also reading about the artist (http://www.masonryconstruction.com/Images/Prolific%20in%20Brick_tcm68-1375673.pdf), I'd urge you to try to make it work if at all possible. There are too many bland, predictable houses out there. People spend thousands of dollars attempting to make their houses unique creations, but not 1 in 10,000 has something like this.

I wonder if you could complement it with other massive organic furniture pieces and also maybe tone down the color contrasts with paint on walls and a glaze on bricks. Keep the shape but mollify the strident colors.

jfasano_arc the comment re Gaudi was my first thought as well...If I recall his forms were covered in ceramic tile..that might help break down the scale of the brick...that is what is disturbing in this.

peetsoo soberg - thanks for sharing that article.... adds nicely to this thread.......

sandj7510 It is really unique, and the more I look at it, the more I can see where the artist was coming from. The furniture, rugs, and trim are not doing anything for it. They are way too traditional (and ugly). I know they are not yours. I think when you replace the floor, and use some cool, modern furniture you can bring it back from an eyesore to the art it was intended to be. You might need help from a great decorator on this one, but you have the opportunity to make a really amazing room with this. I would NOT tear it out.

hoffmanhaus After reading all of these comments, this is what I have come up with. First, if you are determined to keep the fireplace design, paint the entire wall and fireplace a warm grey, not dark. If that isn't enough definition of design for you, I would find an artist or two to come and look at doing some faux painting for dimension. Then, I would some how round out the hearth........the square doesn't do it! Good luck with it!

Promethean Remodeling, LLC I still love the freeform nature of the work but get dizzy looking at the brick pattern. It screams for a southwestern touch that would really make the whole thing come together. I have been searching and can't find anything remotely close to it to create a visual but I did find a couple of pics that would give the feel of what I am thinking of. Maybe some rustic tile flooring or reclaimed wide plank flooring. Timber ceiling with barnboard trim around doors and windows. Adobe the whole room in a sandcolor maybe shaded a yellowor dusty pink. Just enough color so it is not white. Add flashes of color with Mexican floor rugs or wall tapestry. Leave the freefrom fireplace

peetsoo I hated it....then I was intrigued by it.....then I sort of liked it.....and was interested to see what you did with it...........now I would like it for my own rec room.....is that wrong? :)

bevballew It gets me dizzy looking at it. You might regret getting rid of it now as you may be enjoying it as a conversation piece. If it is not from a famous well recognized artist but more about goofy work I would get rid of it myself, but if you want to hold on to it decorate the room accordingly. Whe you tire of it your room will still be nice and you can adapt a new fp.

Jayme Hobbs Ha ha Peetsoo...same feelings here! LOL! It grows on a person.

onthefence Totally agree peetsoo! It's like he (yeah, I've anthropomorphized the FP and it's a he) has developed a fan base!

gmfarrell Well then, I think he needs a name! What do ya' think jcorrigan77? Honestly, peetso, I had all by hose same feelings, in that order, also. But each time I looked at it I grew more fond of it.

hockey456 I hope you like contemporary. Paint it and the wall white and call it sculpture? Super modern furniture...
Can you remove the top portion?
Lol...How was that sucker built?

kath44 Lots of stucco like materialover the brick and a heavy barn beam set on large matching fitted corbels for a mantle...it would be a bit southwest, or perhaps Hobbit-ish, but at least it would look more like planet Earth...Hope it all works out for you. You should post a picture when you are finished.

lilion I still like it - in fact, at this point I'm quite in love with it. (Or should I say "him"?) I'm just horrified at the idea of you tearing it out, painting or stuccoing it! It would be such a shame. I could see making the hearth a different shape, but that's it! I really think that the right furnishings and colors would make all the difference in the world! Please, please try that before you ruin him!

cynthiadstewart Save up and tear it down. I think I would do it first instead of the hardwood because you won't be able to enjoy the rich look the hardwood would bring to the room because of the dominance of the fireplace. Away with it.

kath44 Bottom line, even though you asked for our thoughts, it is your house now and you have to be comfortable in it. You don't have to enshrine a thing because somebody else calls that thing "art." Whatever you do, make it what you can live with for sure. Let us know maybe?

Brianna Perkle wow! I have never seen anything like it. is it really brick or wallpaper?

furrytoes I can't get your fireplace out of my head!!! I noticed a painting on an easel in a photo in your Ideabook. Perhaps you could commission a local artist to paint a couple of landscapes of the woodlands of your property to hang on either side of the fireplace. If the artist also painted the sides where the canvas wraps around the frame, you wouldn't have to worry about a finished wood frame for the paintings (which would help to keep the cost down). It looks like each painting would need to be at least four feet wide to be in scale with the fireplace. And the colors in the paintings might give you inspiration for a color scheme for the entire room.
By the way, I think the furniture styles you have in your Ideabook look wonderful.

Darzy I think "he" should get a Facebook page. He already has quite a following. :)

koehlej I bet ripping it out is costly. On the other hand, you could keep it like that (not even painting it) and not try to outcompete it with other things in your room. Make it a focal wall. It looks like a tree - what if you use a combination of green and brown colors and paint something like a forest on the rest of the wall? And the rest of the room might go with more neutral colors.

Terri Symington, ASID I am not going to read all 275 comments... but I will say that I think this is way interesting and I would personally make it a feature...! I think the walls should all be in a med/dark grey and then a couple of shades lighter on the ceiling. I can see some nice clean liked Italian seating ...classic or contemporary ...to go in this space such as one of those below...

swickbb Please jcorrigan77 can you give us some insight as to what suggestions out of these 275 comments/advice that you even like or are thinking about? This is such an intriguing room and with so many different suggestions I bet we'd all love to see what direction you are thinking of taking. Thanks! This could probably spur another 275 comments! LOL!

Chroma Design Someone mentioned keeping it and giving "him" a name. I'd call him Silver Streak, cause he is one funny train wreck!

K&R Contractors, Inc Just an idea. I think if you would plaster the inside brick and then hire an artist to paint a fire scene over the curves of the fireplace to look like one big fire. It might look nice if you are into an artistic contemporary look, then box in the outside flue and brick/stone/vinyl...whatever, so that it covers the outside.

Photo Captures by Jeffery I would see about getting some one in to turn it into a faux tree, remove red carpet and track lighting.

Doria Tremante I agree with swickbb - and I'd love to see some "After" pictures!

Barnhart Gallery Chroma, I'm callin' it "Spoffy." I want one!

SPACIALISTS I could not resist :)

shabie57 I would box it in with wainscot paneling, you can do it with a wood grain or paint it any color you want. I saw this type of work done over a stone fireplace and it looks really nice.

K&R Contractors, Inc ok SPACIALISTS....that is too creepy!

Darzy "FEED ME"... 'FEED ME, NOW!"

Jill Coert I sort of love it, cuz I love art and artists and it is really organic. It would be a shame to destroy it. I would paint the wall that it is on the same color as the mortor (it looks like a warm brown-grey?) so that the fireplace looks more of a part of the wall. I would paint the other walls a much light version of the same color. The hardwood floors will go a long way towards improving the room. I would choose a sort of urban industrial style for the room (see the pics just for some inspiration in style) and I would use tall natural accents, like bamboo, manzanita, or curly willow. The fireplace is huge, so your accessories will have to have some heft to stand up against it.

Jill Coert More pics for inspiration...

gilwiles Wooza! So many comments. You've got quite a fireplace there. My two cents---try to make it work and love it before you leave it. Its unique and different done by a "famous" artist. Great suggestions above. Good luck and have fun! I'm sure we'd all like to see the after photos.

peetsoo if we are actually naming the fireplace........Im thinking that it is far too curvy to be a "he"

kathleen MK DANG I thought my fireplace was off kilter being a brick and a half off- center. My first impression was a different set of Cheeks than Spacialists' LOL.
I'd get a real art appraisal of it's historical value to see if it's really worth preserving or selling .
If you keep it, go with the Gaudi/ Gehry theme with more organic shaped pieces or sleek lines. I don't think painting or plastering could tone it down, I'd love to see what you do with it.

Eileen Very unique and interesting fireplace. I'm not crazy about it, but I do appreciate the artistic freedom. :) The ceiling looks really low. Could there have been a beamed open ceiling at one time and someone added a flat ceiling (sorry, I don't know the correct design/building terminology)? Maybe there's even more brick above it? :) Or could someone have plastered over the sides of the wall to make it flat? After seeing the other pics of his work, the fireplace wall seems incomplete in an odd way to me. It would be interesting to see what kind of flooring is under the carpet.

designideas4me Seriously ...300 comments? OMG

Tracy Taylor I honestly did not take all the time to read all the comments so I apologize if this is a repeated concept. Ahem the shape is in my opinion something very unique, but the texture and positioning of the bricks feels very distracting to the eye. I honestly think with a great mosaic tile this could be stunning. My other suggestions are a wood/cork veneer or a even a riveted aluminum or pennies.

rouxb Face on, I kinda maybe love it...but it isn't in my house!

preds17 Wow, this makes me want to throw up lol. And I mean that in the nicest way. If that's possible :) It is just soooo wavy and out there I can not see how anyone can sit and look at it without getting dizzy. That said, I think it would be a shame to change it too much. It is def unique and perhaps several years down the line people will covet the wavy fireplaces of yesteryear, and you will be sad that you got rid of that landmark. Of course I could be romanticizing it a bit :) I would perhaps try to make it more of the focal point (if its even possible to be "more" of a focal point lol)and maybe just tone it down a bit by going with one color. Keep the rest of the room simple and un busy to balance the wackiness of the fireplace.

lisacabinetree So are there any AFTER pictures yet?

llittlef21 That first photo looks like a bum to me. If this was in my house I'd think of getting mooned every time I looked at it.

meghankl First impression I thought it was hideous but now i am envisioning it painted a high gloss white. The walls maybe a pale grey-blue. I would hang some very bright abstract art with black frames on either side with spotlights. If you could get someone to do it a custom mantle of maybe driftwood or something with some cool modern pottery. It could be really beautiful for someone who is into contemporary homes. But if you dream of a graceful traditional living room, your only option is to tear it down. Just one photo for inspiration...

luzyla Or if you will have hardwood floor than you can put brick on the rest of the wall as well and the contrast will not be so big, the fireplace will not "shine out" of the wall so much. And combination of brick and solid wood looks good and can make pleasant atmosphere when the rest of the room would be designed in the appropriate style. When the fireplace is such a masterpiece...
looks all right and if you prolong the plinth all over the length to draw out attention of the black "hole"

dlapollo sorry
its got to go
call a brick guy and get rid of it pronto...

studio10001 Thank you so much for sharing this. Love, love, love it; I am green with envy. If you keep it as is (God, I hope you do), please post your after shots. If you don't, please send it to my house. This should get an article on the websight, Archetectural Digest, Trad. Home (that should get you some drawings on spec!!) I. am. so. jealous. I. can't. stand. it. Can not wait to see what fantasy evolves from this. Congrats!

luzyla here is link to useful interior inspiration web page brick in interiors
http://furniture.trendzona.com/interior-design/bricks-in-the-interior-part-3.html

studio10001 One last word(no, not"plastics"). Burlwood.

designideas4me The guy who posted this discussion has not replied in 2 weeks ................so why do people keep this thread alive? I dont get it.

pvore OMG, This has to be a record number of comments i don't think anyone will ever top this one. One thing for sure - you either love it.....or hate it. Bless your heart. I would not want to have to make this decision Good luck and keep your sense of humor. I am sure it will turn out beautiful.....no matter what it costs.

onthefence This thread stays alive because of Spoffy ;-) People do either love him or hate him. Or in some cases, hate him THEN love him.

chayasufrin You mentioned you like clean modern lines. Maybe add some white open shelves or open back white shadow boxes to create a calm the dizzying brickwork but without losing it completely. Then you could place very simple ornaments on the shelves

yvesun You have quite the conversation piece in your living room. If you don't wish to keep it, then I suggest you contact the museum of modern art!!

carole have showed this too just about everyone!!and think if it was in my house aftrr the initial shock....would keep it as a conversationpiece...and for the rest of the time your busy living...you know

danalove This is simply the most amazing fireplace I've seen. I'm also green with envy. If it were up to me, I would make a mural/individually paint each brick to make it a statement piece. I think you'd end up regretting tearing down such a masterpiece.

designideas4me spoffy...............lol...............omg................I see you named the fireplace... thats funny.

danalove Its a little like the fireplace in Beetlejuice

Crystal Petersen Love it!!!!

Jayme Hobbs It reminded me of the "stone work" in "Nightmare Before Christmas"..Tim Burton, Director

Dawn Collins I'd totally go hobbit in this room! Embrace the quirk...

mainstreetschool Keep the fireplace and go with an earthy tone color. I like the root wood table from so long ago. Lose the red carpet and the furn. Go with mod look of the 60's. perhaps a print of Salvadore Dali would keep in the special art theme. I kind of liked the face image too. Keep thinking out of the box. It will evolve once you clear out the room. I liked the idea of a soffit around the room with lights behind it. Kind of a museum gift shop look. Do not destroy it. Let the artist view what you have done to work wit his art. Just a few from his gallery in St Petersburg Fla.

mainstreetschool Cannot find my comments on the thread

PYRAMID DESIGN GROUP ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE RECIEVED A LOT OF NEGATIVE COMMENTS, I THINK IT COULD BE THE BASE FOR A GREAT FOCAL POINT. IF YOU COULD GET A PROFESSIONAL TO APPLY 1 INCH OF STUCCO TO THE SURFACE TO ELIMINATE THE BRICK JOINTS AND SMOOTH THE CURVES. YOU MIGHT WIND UP WITH SOMETHING OUTSTANDING (AND STANDING OUT). ALSO ELIMINATE THE TRACK LIGHTING AND INSTALL SMALL ADJUSTABLE RECESSED SPOTS TO LIGHT IT.

Build How amazing that your fireplace has created this great thread of comments. It obviously is a conversation piece! I would also make it a focal point, create less contrast by painting the wall a gray in similar tone and keep furniture and accessories natural and neutral. Take up the carpet and remove the track lighting and look at it fresh before you make any decisions.

And please, share photos of the final results!

OasisDesign&Remodeling Please don't alter it in any way without contacting the artist. It would be incredibly disrespectful to do otherwise. In talking to him you may discover some insight, which is where you may find direction. It is very organic in feel, & organic is where you should stay, IMHO. Hardwood floors will help. Paint in organic tones. I think then it will start to feel more fluid (as I think he meant) & a little less brutalist. I would have wood palette "planters" flanking it with ceiling height "twigs" flanking the length of the FP, very vertically linear. Then hang a pair of awesome pendants in the middle that will create some awesome shadows. The ceiling should be the same tone as the walls, perhaps warmth on the walls & gray on the ceiling. Then take it from there with furnishings that should be large & few.

Rosemary Burton Re purpose the whole house as an art gallery, sell it or rent it out and move on to something styled to be lived in.

tessa69 OMG !!! It looks like a mouth about to suck you in, looks scary. Just pull it down and start again :)

Sue So Thanks to the original poster and peanut gallery. This has brought me much laughter and thought. Interesting how it grows on you over time. This is the third time I've viewed it and it gets better and better. Not my style but gotta say it is so unique that it deserves a chance. Paint it, play with it, live with it, then decide. Date a while before you pitch it. Once you take it down, you can never get it back.

mainstreetschool Can I post here?

Anina Lavina Lucky you! It is nice to have something so original. I wonder... Is it the only design element left in the house? Try to understand it. Do not change it. Make the room work with it. Look up some designs by the architect for inspiration. Go for earthy tones and relaxed forms. Darker colours would set it up nicely. What a talking point! If you can't live with it, box it in, hide it. Maybe in the future someone will be really happy to discover it dare to be different!

mckstacy Reading these posts has kept me laughing! Seriously, this entire saga would make a GREAT documentary! For whatever it's worth or not, I would have to TAME THE BEAST! It may be "art" - but it makes me feel anxious - kind of like your drunk uncle at a family gathering.

designideas4me Ok I have 2 questions for the home owner..... WHY DID YOU BUY THIS HOUSE? and WHAT DID YOU PLAN TO DO WITH THE FIREPLACE WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT?

ashsoprano Look up "the hut of Baba Yaga" from "pictures at an exhibition" on youtube. This could be your home's theme song. Does the outside of the house have chicken legs and chase after children named Hansel and Gretl? I think I would have a hard time sleeping at night with this beast living in my house. If it gives you nightmares, clad it, otherwise enjoy the controversy. Good luck.

finndian Paint it out and see if that helps.

Jayme Hobbs And get the rest of the room neutralized...it will help a lot!!! Cannot wait to see results!

jfasano_arc here are some images of Gaudi....ceramic mosaic

Greg Drabik looks goodddddddddddddddd

Amy Stanley Wow that is an interesting fireplace. I would never be able to live with it myself art or no art. Does it add huge value to your home from an appraisers point of view? Me being me I would have it dismantled and re-use the brick to build a fire place that suited my taste. However that is just me, the fire-place would have turned me off to the house in the first place. I think it would look way better with the mortar color on the walls around it and if you were to decorate using it like an art piece I think it could be really cool.

nevadan This is my second or third comment on this fireplace. Obviously the fireplace evokes a somewhat emotional reaction from many people. After all this time has elapsed, I have a further thougt. Have the fireplace inspected by a fireplace technician or building inspecter. Perhaps the firplace is not structurally sound and has to be removed. That would settle the whole problem once and for all.

My aesthetic conclusion is that the fireplace is interesting and not ugly but looks bad in that very conventional tract-home sort of room.

Anina Lavina I was wondering... maybe it was built like that for a practical reason as well. Just think about it. Once all that brick warms up from the fire, it would radiate heat for a long time even after the fire finished burning. Very economical! It is not a "set design"! It is for real! In today's energy crisis, what a good thing to have!

fit4lifelu Trippy!!!!

Susan Fox I keep returning to see what you have decided to do. Really hope you do NOT destroy the artists work but love the suggestions which include bringing the outside in with natural components such as twigs or branches framing it. It feels very dark in this room. Would it be possible to have the fireplace flanked with large windows...providing the outside view is a pleasing one. I am obcessed with this piece...obviously the artist has struck a chord as we are ALL discussing it, and isn't that the very deffination of "art" ? Good luck and PLEASE post "after" photos.

alabamalibrarian83 WOW this is the craziest fireplace I've ever seen! It makes me slightly dizzy to look at and reminds me of the architecture I saw in Barcelona, Spain. Will be interested to see what you decide to do. Good luck!

handymam If I couldn't move for some reason, and I hated the fireplace (which I admit I do...) I would build a wall in front of it to hide it, and leave a photo for the next owner of what lurks behind...

cchlopecki Wow ! I think this is very unique and would paint the room and get rid of the red carpet. Dark grey is needed either on a wall or perhaps the carpet , maybe laminate ? pick up some of the other color of bricks. Like the orange for accent colors in the pillows, candles etc. . Get rid of the red and blue chairs.and move them to a sunroom . Paint the fireplace on the outside of the home as that does not look pleasing at all. The brick is pretty discoloured and looks like the home color doesn't t match Funky, make it into a contemporary room

melonbrickdesign I'd leave it, paint the rest of the room white, including window frames, remove those ugly ceiling light thingies. I'd clean it though. And make the room bright, light and contemporary.

Btw, thought about asking the artist what he thinks you should do with it?

cchlopecki Oops. Just realized the red and white chairs are not yours. Good thing as they do not look good with the fireplace.

Sophisticated Surfaces Dr. Suess comes to mind. "Think left think right and think low and think high. Oh the thinks you can think of if you only try!"

gailbk I'd make it a hobbit room. Tall plants (indoor trees) flank the fireplace, smooshy chairs not facing it. Odder furnishings the better! Or...I'd sell and move, but charge a gazillion for a house with an "original" oddity.

cgough paint the walls (same as mortar), put in your hardwood floor (I'd go dark), replace the track lighting, add big furniture and some organic accents and live with it for a while. I bet you'll come to love it.

sapphire27 @ gailbk .. "smooshy chairs"??? maybe my memory is going, but why do smooshy chairs mean hobbity? Anyhow, do you mean beanbag chairs or something else?

Some how your post has provoked my silly side and would love to imagine decorating the room with foresty imagery that I've seen here are houzz before.

Ramona See if you can get its value estimated. It doesn't fit the room whereas in the correct setting, it might be just awesome. I would want to paint it to emphasize the curves and minimize the effect of the brick itself. I also think stucco over it might work. But deciding what to do with it is a responsibility I wouldn't want to have. I wouldn't demolish it. It would be really hard for me to integrate this into my style but I'm sure someone could do so. This is beyond my vision for sure.

jcorrigan77 Oh, my goodness! I stopped getting email notifications somehow and had no idea "Spoffy" was still getting attention. Although, I shouldn't be surprised he'd DEMAND it! Updates are few...track lighting is down, cans purchased to be installed ASAP. Hardwood is a rustic hand scraped maple in a dark finish. Still deciding whether to go with a darker, warmer brown or a REALLY dark grey, almost black, stain. Thanks so much for ALL of your suggestions and humor!! I've decided to love her!

jcorrigan77 Flooring

carole HER!!thats nice!!for the hardwood finish i'd go with a darker brown.......will you post pictures when the flooring is done?cant wait for a pict without that red carpet!!!!

onthefence Spoffy LIVES!!! Long live Spoffy!

Seriously, I'm glad you've decided to embrace the unique. You will never ever have a Stepford house ;-)

I do like both of your flooring choices. It almost seems that the dark gray would work better with Spoffy - but ti's hard to tell basing only on photos. Are you leaning toward either one?

mckstacy To Mr. Spoffy's caretaker,
Thank you for entertaining the masses! Keep us updated with pics and info!

dianelk No offense, but my husband thinks it looks like the south end of a northbound elephant. You definitely have something unique and original. It didn't stop you from buying the house. maybe you should keep it for awhile. Maybe it will grow on you or eat you. Thanks for sharing!

Barnhart Gallery Hi jcorrigan! I don't know what happened to the thread, someone was asking for help with this facade and I thought it was just missing its own Spoffie. The comments prompted me to suggest Spoffie have (her?) own calendar. So here's my suggestion for April:

studio10001 11.95 per copy_ Send checks to "a home for Spoffy" today!

jcorrigan77 Barnhart Gallery, I LOVE it!! :) What about couple of these guys hanging low over a coffee table centered in front of Spoffy. Oh, and this pic makes me think about a lighter floor??

Barnhart Gallery Yes, to both jcorrigan!

onthefence Oh! Love those pendants! I could totally see those working.

jcorrigan, what are you thinking of for an accent color?

jcorrigan77 I really don't know?? I am a little aftraid of having really dark floors AND doing the gray accent wall suggested by several people. It seems like it might be too dark. There are some oranges in the brick? And some creamy yellows, but I don't think that would do much to tone 'er down!

Susan Mills Design Hey there 5 weeks ago, I gave you the perfect advice! It will look amazing. No feature wall! Yes the color I suggested throughout! You could always paint a feature wall after if you HAD to have it!

Barnhart Gallery I know a lot have suggested gray, but I still think a yellowish tone out of the brick will help to soften the edges. Step back and squint, and that's the color you see, not the grout.

Susan Mills Design To me it's not about the grout, it's about using one pale grey to open up and unify the walls of the room. To move them back so to speak, once that is done, Bringing natural fabrics such as linen in and rich warm woods, would give the room the warmth that's in the bricks. It won't compete with them but would enhance them and make the fireplace look more purposeful and the room much more cohesive.

Kathryn Peltier Design I actually love the chimney, and the fireplace itself is growing on me. I think one of the major problems though is that it seems like such an island unto itself. Everything else in the room is so non-organic, i.e. flat and rectangular. So - don't gasp - what would you think of actually installing an undulating plaster wall, kind of following the major swoops of the brick? This would tie it all together visually and I think would make it flow. Right now it does seem to loom over the room and the right side feels like it's falling over.

If you don't like that idea, then I would go in the opposite direction and frame it out so that the edges are straight. The ceiling line bothers me, too - by boxing it in with trim it would make it feel less organic, but would make it feel more like it fits the very rectangular shape of the rest of the room.

Another idea might be to add very organic shelves across the drywall portions - very irregular and with a live edge. Or, how about adding veneer panels? It's not only the design and scale of the fireplace but also the dichotomy between the materials that is kind of brutal.

The plaster wall concept (best I could do)
Long Island Modernism 1930-1980
HMA | RESIDENCES

Look at this one against ledgestone - along the same lines
California Residence

Veneer panels like this would give a much more organic feel to the rest of the wall
Architectural and Interior Photography

Reclaimed wood wall
Quaker Bluff Residence

Kathryn Peltier Design One more thought: if you were to do a horizontal plank wall, you could stagger the depth of the planks (kind of pushing and pulling to make it 3D) and/or the planks could be scribed at the ends to meet the brick, creating another integration between the brick and the wall.

Lilly nunes I got to check on that artist medical record! That can't be right. Maybe this was his first protect ever.

Sandy Spencer I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! It is Unique, Maybe Paint it a Cream color, but i wouldnt get rid of it. Dont know why alot of ppl dont like it?!

ASVInteriors This keeps popping up and the evolution of opinion has changed so much from the first post to the latest. Just wanted to add a photo that inspires me based on this fireplace is Frank Gehry's dancing house...

joanbllt Just want to keep track of what happens here

Susan Mills Design Ok I'm turning this into a book!

maggiemae0552 have you made any changes or decisions based on the suggestions and comments you have received?

jcorrigan77 Hahaha! Welllll, I did make the decision to call an interior designer!!! I just love this Houzz community! You're all so kind to take the time to make suggestions...and pretty funny too! :)

jcorrigan77 designideas4me, your question about why we bought the house if we didn't like the fireplace really interests me. Only because the factors on which we base real estate decisions must differ so much from region to region and person to person. I couldn't help but "notice" the fireplace, obviously, but there are SO many other things about this property that trumped the fireplace (and as I said before, I didn't think I'd feel so bad at the thought of removing it or just taming it down): Proximity to town while still having acerage and privacy, room to roam and enjoy nature while still making a short trip to the store, and a neighborhood in which to take a walk but not breathing down our dear neighbors' backs, a home large enough for my three children and mother-in-law. I guess it's just a matter of priorities. Yours are likely different, but I sure appreciate everyone's help!

Susan Fox jccorrigan77, Looks like you now have a full time job...taking care of your fireplace's " fan club" ! It seems to have taken on a life of it's own!

I am very curious as to it's history...previous owners of your house or whomsoever had it comissioned.
Obviously an awful lot of planning went into it (though some would disagree lol) and I wonder if there was more to the plan as it just seems to be sitting in the room all by itself. How many have noticed the subtle angel fish worked into the design? Maybe there was a theme that never got finished.
I absolutly love it but do understand that it is a designing challenge. Hope you can hang in there while we all brainstorm....I think you have a real treasure. Best of luck.

studio10001 Please videotape that meeting. Not for us,(though who wouldn't want to be a fly on the wall at that meeting?) but because you have the makings of such a great story . Your fireplace has generated such a lot of excitement here, and in addition to being so interesting from an art and design standpoint, it is your family history in the making. Someday your kids will be asking about Spoffy, and it will be part of the story they tell their kids. For that matter, the film dep't of the nearest college might be interested in documentary footage to tell the story for you. U of F has a good doc. dep't. and folks are always looking for good material.

Jill Pertuso First word that came to mind was DEMO. However, if you're on a shoestring budget paint is the best option. I would paint BOTH the walls on the side and the fireplace the SAME color to de-emphasize the crazy pattern. Good Luck!

aliciap414 rip it down it's awful!! sorry :(

Jill Pertuso I would even paint the inside of the fireplace the same color and fill it with candles. Sorry for the crude image...but you get the idea. With wood floors I think this might actually look pretty cool.

googoomom I agree, think the guy who put it up was smokin' something funny!

HERE Design and Architecture Another vote to keep it and not paint the brick. Make sure that you get a designer who likes the fireplace and is really flexible in their tastes. Look at Frank Gehry and Gaudi. This kind of sculptural form is hard to achieve and it is executed really well here.

Sandy Spencer Dont listen to Designer who tell U to rip it out!! It is Your and Yr Family's Decision to keep it or not! Take your time to decide if u want it in yr House or not... I Personally Like it.. :)

BR Interior Designs Obviously you've received a million responses! I think when you are presented with something truly unique you just have to own it! I think trying to mask it with paint will actually make it seem like you are trying to ignore the fact that its very unique. I loved the image someone posted of stacking cut logs in the fireplace. If the color bothers you, you can have a painter dull down the color with a slurry mix or a paint wash. That way your bricks till look like bricks but the color will be more palatable. I think you should furnish the room with comfortable but streamline pieces while incorporating some unique accent pieces (like a funky chair or side table) Good luck! be sure to post some "after" photos

dlsmith917 I've read all the comments, although very quickly so perhaps this has been said before. But I suggest that if he's in your area you should invite the artist over for cocktails and get his thoughts on how his art could currently be reinterpreted or enhanced by the rest of the room decor. I'm sure he'd have some interesting views on the subject and from the article linked above it seems he's still active and interested in his prior creations.

Architectrunnerguy I agree with those that say you should keep it. I used to not appreciate Gaudi until I went to Barcelona. Now he's a favorite.

Here's another great fireplace that got "improved": http://www.houzz.com/discussions/281362/Brick-Fireplace-to-Stone-Veneer-Transformation

One Specialty Landscape Design, Pools & Hardscape Why not paint it white and then chip off some of the paint to give each brick a distressed look? It would be a lot of work but I think the effect would be nice.

beerpocketbook The problem with this room has more to do with every aspect of the room but the fireplace. I remember the 70s fondly and art of that era was intended to stir controversy and provoke emotion. Based on the responses to your fireplace, I'd say the artist has succeeded. That being said, It looks as if the artist lost interest when he got to the hearth. It is too square, out of proportion, and conventional. There may be some way to disguise it by adding curves at the ends, such as with wood seating as someone else suggested, but I'm wondering if it would it be possible to have a good bricklayer rebuild it with an undulating, organic curve that spans the entire front of the fireplace and pulls back to the wall on either side. Perhaps you could salvage the brick from the original hearth and augment it with a complimentary material, like slate. Have you tried contacting the artist? He might have some ideas. I'd definitely give that a shot, for the fun of it, if nothing else! Also, check this out: http://www.carpenterinn.com/main_inn.htm
Maybe you can email and get pictures of their Spofforth fireplace.

googoomom When there is an elephant in the room.....remove it.

patinthehat well, imho, if you had enough style to BUY the house with a unique piece like that in it, then CLEARLY you have enough spunk to embrace it . RusticEclectic , & let your funky flag fly!! What a fabulous piece of art to own & live up to! i agree tho, that the spooky-mouth-aspect-thing could stand to be moderated (but NO paint or boogering it) before i would be comfortable with it , but ..... I LIKE IT. Please, please, AFTER PICTURES, please!!??

jcorrigan77 Beerpocketbook, I've heard of that inn but I didn't know they also had a Spofforth chimney. Interesting! I'll have to look into that! Thanks for sharing! :)

HERE Design and Architecture Does the chimney go up above the ceiling?

Barbara Swanson I white washed mine. Of course it wasn't as interesting as yours.white paint and water brushed it on then took a wet sponge to it. It is not so in your face and. I actually love it. My thought paint it , what do you have to lose?

deexler79 I think the person who built this wanted it to resemble a tree. I think it neat but can see why you would want to change it.

HERE Design and Architecture One thought: if you paint the wall around it the color of the mortar, I think that that may both diminish the ominousness of the fireplace opening and highlight the colors of the brick.

Frankie Malcuit Wow that's really cool! Have you tried reaching out to the artist to learn more about what inspired him when he was creating the fireplace? It might help you to figure out how to design the space around it.

Callie Henrichs After a discussion here, contractor hubby thinks it has a Southwestern feel to it. Not sure about that, but I was intrigued by what he said. He said to put a large dark marble, or stone mantle with big corbels underneath or wrought iron mantle . Then he said to add to add a large wrought iron piece over it. It would break up the dizzy movement, but give the eye something to look at. The movement would become purposeful and more soothing. It's definitely grown on both of us, and I was all for taking it down when I first looked at it. I'm glad you're going to keep it especially with it's art history.

sms9758 I am not a designer nor an artist but I do wonder why when someone tells us something really ugly was done by an "artist" we should like it and if my 5 year old did this we would get rid of it. I would only keep it if I really loved it no matter it's artistic value. Personally I think this is not art at all but I am not the owner. If you love it keep it if you truly don't then remove it. Once it's gone you may feel free to put your own stamp on the room

sms9758 Why would you keep this unless you really love it. There are a lot of "artists" that are really lousy. Just because someone calls it art doesn't make it beautiful

ciao44 I think it's quite beautiful - if you've ever been to Barcelona and seen Gaudi's architecture.....that's what it looks like. Keep it if you like it!

KSMA I am so inspired by this fireplace. I love design challenges, and yours certainly presents one. Please do not remove this fireplace. It is one of a kind, and as many have already said, we all strive for uniqueness, to be able to poke our head up above the treeline and see what's out there! Here's a possible direction to take things. The really unfortunate aspect of this brickwork is not the undulation or the asymmetry, it is the edges that just end in almost straight vertical lines on either side. What you should do is find a way to continue the lines of the brickwork out to the sides along the walls. I was thinking that a set of hammered copper panels that continued the undulation of the bricks would be a good way to feather this design into the room, to give it some intention instead of looking like a brick spaceship crashed there. This gives an opportunity to use a bevy of Craftsman Style elements that go with copper, to give the room an earthy feel. It makes the fireplace feel like the trunk of a large tree, as though you built a room around the base of a sequoia. Your idea for the lighting I think is spot on. You can go full industrial with some elements, and it will all come together with an old fashioned, earthy, natural and cozy feel. Really! Like an expensive winter home from the 1920s. I've included a very quick, rough rendering of what I'm talking about, as well as an example of the style of copper that I'm talking about (in the form of a custom fireplace hood).

Maryl Hershelman Well I've been scanning all the comments...I lost count an hour ago. Love it. Be careful hiring a "designer" who looks to update every space every 5 years.... Spoffy is a timeless mess....love it; feed it and smile. Think of all of us who for weeks have been commenting....we must see after pics.

Susan Fox KSMA....This idea is really going in the right direction. Lovely! Actually softens the look of "our friend" . Good job!

jfasano_arc Yes...kudos to KSMA..those colors really work with the brick; even if you didn't use copper you could paint the wall that color. Very warm inviting room.

jfasano_arc question ..have you used it as a firoplace yet?

beerpocketbook The fireplace should have its own reality TV show. Be sure to document all of this, jcorrigan77. The ideas on this page are spectacular. The person who suggested that the stark, defined edges of the fireplace detract from it's appeal is right on target. The copper idea is cool, but I wonder (if budget is a concern) if you might accomplish the same "melding" of the edges by using textured paint on the adjacent walls. I think the room needs to be made part of the fireplace, rather than fitting the fireplace into the room. I am so glad I found all of you creative people on this website!

designermomalbany What an opportunity to create an organic comfy space. I admit my first impression was destruction, but it is growing on me...which is the look i would suggest... Remove everything including the track lighting. Paint the walls a warm color...same color all around. That will immediately improve the balance of the room. Add texture but not too many patterns in your upholstery and area rug. I would leave the window bare unless you need privacy or light control. Perhaps consider bamboo panels. Think minimalist. No clutter. Soft lighting and a nice sound system.

jcorrigan77 Oooh, KMSA! That's so cool! Copper is probably out of our budget...any other ideas for materials? The previous owners had textured wallpaper, but it was old and not in great shape. The ceiling color makes such a difference too!! jfasano, the fireplace is used a couple times a year.

Susan Fox jcorrigan77....when I first glanced at KMSA's picture it kind of looked like rough hewn boards laid on an angle on each side of the fireplace from ceiling to floor and from the brick to the corners of the wall...in other words, the whole wall that the fireplace is on. When I finally focused and saw the copper I loved it but could still visualize how the rough boards might look if the copper was too costly. I think the furniture style he chose was perfect. Hope I am making myself clear...this is so much fun!

studio10001 Would copper foil bring the idea in budget range?

KSMA You could even use paint if you wanted. But wood or fabric to give it some texture and differentiation would work brilliantly.

studio10001 2'x68' (4mm) on ebay for $480, Nimrod Hall Copper. Placed over a carved foam base?

studio10001 If we all chip in a dollar.......

travisinteriors OMG. It's so ugly. Need to dry wall over it. Go from there. Go on line look at faux stone fireplaces. There are many easy to install. After installed. Paint all walls same color. Get rid of red carpet. If you can go wood or faux wood a lot better. Take dn track lite. Very dated. Replace chairs with sofa, you could go red. Put chairs on either end of sofa facing each other. Put small table on end with lamp. Put floor lamp on other end for light. Coffee round in front of sofa. Paint walls a pale gray with blue under tones. Buy samples and put on wall before buying. On window white panels to the flor, they will not close. Make lamp on table tall large white shade. Fill wall space by firepl with potted silk plants tall big. Large mirror behind sofa.

travisinteriors Leave chair by firepl. Put large low table next to it. Leave picture on wall. Remove what's on floor. Is this room going into a dining area? If so leave and put in large plants in corners. And art work large on walls. Do not put small pic on walls. Always go large. Plants are always good to fill space in nice pots. If that red carpet is everywhere take it out. If cant afford wood go a lite gray carpet.thoughout.

travisinteriors Is that real brick or what they call half brick. You might just be able to remove the brick. Make sure they dry wall the hearth also to match. Carpet is the last to go in.

onthefence travisinteriors, you might want to go back and read at least some of the earlier posts.

travisinteriors When I wrote my comments didnt realize furn was not yours. So forget what I said re furn. Good luck. But the brick has to go!!!

travisinteriors You're too funny it does look like a monster that might eat you. I give you credit for over looking this monster when brought this house. I bet a lot of people passed on it. I still think the way to go dry wall it. Buy faux on Internet.

onthefence I really like the suggestions by KMSA, sapphire27 (the felted wool stones), Barnhart Gallery and Susan Mills Design. They all have a very organic feeling to them.

I love the idea of the juxtaposition of the eclectic wild nature of Spoffy against the quieter natural organic elements and shades.

Man, you're writing a pretty amazing family saga here!

beerpocketbook jcorrigan77, I am very curious about your house altogether, considering the architect or designer chose this artist to build the fireplace and chimney. What is the architectural style? Did you say it was built in the 70s? Have you found any pictures of what it looked like when it was initially built? What is your taste in style for the other rooms in the house? Have the windows been replaced? If there is a great view to the woods outside that window we can see to the left of the fireplace (and enough privacy), it would be really nice to put in a large picture window with stained wood trim and leave it uncovered; bring some of that woodland inside.

lionnessone Oh my, looks like it came straight out of a horror movie. Take a good look at it, looks like the fireplace is actually breathing. I would not be able to sleep at night.
Some people may call this art, I call this; “does not belong.”
May be interesting to look at, but belongs in an art museum not someone’s home,
“Just my thoughts”
Good luck with this unusual looking fireplace.
Personally, I know what I would do.

onthefence You know what's funny jcorrigan is that you've known all along ;-) You knew before any of the rest of us did!

In your first response you said " I don't know whether to go white or charcoal grey paint and make that crazy thing a piece of art, or try to go more warm, den, library look."

And six weeks later, it seems that a subtle blend of the looks you mentioned way back when are what everyone seems to gravitate to!

mckstacy LOVE KSMA's suggestion to continue the "movement" on the wall next to Spoffy! I understand the $$$ factor with copper, but surely there is an awesome HOUZZER out there that could come up with a look & color that would mimic the copper. What a great community of incredible talent & humor this is!

nancymic i finally have to say...it looks anatomical. 'nuf said!

lionnessone I would bake some bread.

onthefence jcorrigan, more than anything, THANK YOU! You've graciously shared your home with us and you've answered ceaseless questions. Thank you for sharing this wonderfully unique aspect of your home and for being so incredibly patient with all of us!

libradesigneye YES! Thank you! KMSA's idea to extend down the wall is brilliant - here's a budget option.

In budget you can use faced plywood where you rotate grain on your "puzzle pieces" to carry wave action out. Proud to say I loved this tree trunk from the start when you posted artist portfolio -

Then suggested masonry stain in a taupe (medium brown gray - it will stain the grout too but it does make it darker) so only wave action remains - this combined with a driftwood taupe stain finish on the plywood panels just one shade lighter in the same color family so you have the same tonal quiet over the entire elevation. The whole wall would feel unified.

If you are attached to keeping brick, stain wood the color of the warm element in it. On left - since it is wider, I would be tempted to use panels in an arc to "ground the curves on the left" - like the brick was the big part of a wave and the plywood elements started low in the left corner and rose up in a wave like action to meet the full height of the brick. Still use plywood panels all the way across the wall, but above the wave action, maybe turn the grains all vertical. It gives an "inception" to the piece - like the edge root on a tree.

jcorrigan77 No, seriously THANK YOU, onthefence and everyone else. This is so much fun and I'm so thankful for everyone's thoughtful input. How generous of you all to donate your time!

beerpocketbook, I don't know how to describe the house; I know little about architecture. Interestingly, I know 2 out of 3 of the previous owners but not the first one. I might be able to get my hands on a pic of the house in early years. There have been changes to the front, side, and rear of the home in the last 20 years (attached garage is now a downstairs master, screened porch is now a dining area, entryway reworked, etc.) It's a little retro? Original casement (sp?) windows, painted wood exterior. Unfortunately, we had to take out a lot of the greenery that's just outside the window in the pic. The 100 year old pines were just too old and too close to the house. We leveled it and seededi it. Nivce to have some flat yard, but now it's not so pretty...a view of the detatched garage. :( My style is transitional, clean lines, uncluttered.

Libradesigneye, so I love what I think you're saying, but I might be a little confused. 2 different materials? Plywood and what? dmldml mentioned cork about 5 weeks ago (see pic). I wonder if that could be shaped and used in your idea??

pveale I think the fireplace is cool looking.

jcorrigan77 Nancymic, are you saying it looks like a bum??!! Hahahaha!!!

nancymic yes a bit. color and all. eek.

elainemarie77 Maybe you could launch an interior design competition/ make-over contest - best one wins! Keen, young interior designers might jump at the opportunity to hone their talents. What a challenge! Document the whole process and then see if some publication would love to feature it. Great opportunity for an aspiring interior designer here! I think KSMA is hitting the mark. As long as every detail works, and all the elements fit together, this room could look awesome!

Maryl Hershelman Working with the monster not against it.....it is alive! You know it's awesome in its hideousness. (%

Maryl Hershelman Dear travisinteriors....the point about reading old posts was not about the furniture but the fabulous- ness of the "THING". It's got everyone's juices flowing. and silk plants? really?

jc77: you want the look of copper for say a penny a square inch? think about it...it was posted earlier here....make it a life time project...only pennies you find in the street. I'm tired...been looking at that cockamamie fireplace too long. good night. my sister in Spain has been drooling over your fireplace by-the-way. You are officially an international smash!

libradesigneye Let me try to be clearer. Sorry I don't have visual aids w/ me now - Instead of the copper idea that you seemed to like, but couldn't afford, I'm saying that you could clad the remaining wall with organic shapes of thin faced plywood and /or layered furniture grade wood veneer. DIY The two different materials are your existing brick and the new wood wall cladding in finish grade plywood layered with veneer you glue on top.

Consider layers of wood - faced plywood base and then wood veneer cut into "puzzle shapes" glued on top. Imagine that you start on the left wall and put full sheets of plywood with horizontal grain stacked behind as your base. These would glue and finish nail in. This is like your background. You can do the same with one sheet on the other side of the fireplace cut in half and stacked. Just think you want to keep grain running sideways as a base behind.

Then your puzzle pieces can be layered on top of these. You could use the thinner veneer wood with the 3m glue backing and layer them on top of each other as needed - then they don't have to fit exactly when you cut them out - you can play with what edge to leave on top where they meet. This will create more dimension but this is good since your brick pops out from the wall itself.

You can mock up the shapes with butcher paper, then cut them out yourself with a jigsaw or for the veneer, a french curve and a utilty knife. see http://www.eaglebaywood.com/veneers/index.html
The trick is that you are turning the wood sheets at a variety of angles to cut them into your puzzle pieces so the grain becomes an extension of the brick wave lines (like his drawing - but with conscious attention to where the direction of the wood grain is).

Using 4 x 8 sheets of furniture grade veneer wood, you wouldn't have any shapes bigger than 3'6 x 5' to keep the organic lines going and could map this out first so you can buy the right number / size of smaller veneer sheets if you like. Cutting out puzzle pieces will take time and care, but the price is right on materials.

Cork as an option would add another texture too, but it doesn't have the linear grain that the wood will bring to visually extend the "waves" in the brick and I think it will ultimately be a more expensive material. Also, it is the color that it is - it can't really go lighter like wood can though I've seen it darker.

Some other threads on fireplaces made me think about one more thing that might make all the difference to you. If you want to keep the original brick, the light tones are good in the small room. One change that might make a huge difference is to have a mason come in and point it back and grout it with light colored grout to match the majority cream color in the brick. This will make the wall much less busy since it takes the strong contrasting grout lines out - when he built this, no one was coloring grout like we do now - gray was his only choice. If he did it today, I'm certain he would select a matching grout color to let his waves shine rather than the grout.

This is not a do it yourself job but it should only be about a two day job with not much materials cost if you want to get it priced. I would rather have a more modern look with a one tone brick and would probably stain it all out mid-tone brown-gray, but that is the first step I would take before I decided.

So your "homemade art" wood wall could be either stained natural to echo the honey tone in the brick or white washed with a warm cream paint to echo the lighter elements in the natural brick. If you decide to stain brick, you can stain the wood on the wall one shade lighter. The idea is to unify the whole wall

Naomi Frash Keep it, and, just do the rest of the room in the colour on the wall with the fireplace on it - or a colour that has an association with the brick work. Also, paint the trim white.

3144123456 Your fireplace is on crack! Get rid of it,

Susan Mills Design Please DO NOT try to extend the fireplace design or create anything else similar to it, it will only look added on as if you didn't know what else to do. If you try to create a "feature" wall, you will create another hard corner. What is needed is the walls to remove the corner effect, this will allow the fireplaces curves to look more intentional. If you look at the walls where they meet the light and the dark, you will see what I mean by this. The walls from the fireplace and continuing around the room, need to be light, soft, atmospheric. No corners, where two colours or materials meet.

That line, where the two meet makes the fireplace look wrong. Open up the room, pale recedes! Dark brings forwards. Simple rods over the windows with light linen drapes, simple, simple, simple! This is an addendum to my previous posts, can't seem to quit this!

Archetype Inc. If the fireplace works well without smoke backing up, meaning that it draws properly, don't destroy it.
It's nifty and was created by a pretty sophisticated mason.
It is sort of voluptuous in it's own right.

studio10001 We got seven yeahs for the copper kitty-come on , kids, whataya say? Cough one up for Snoffy! (jcorrigan, be it magazine articles, film, calendars or web marathon, there is a budget making idea in here somewhere, man, as God is my witness .....)

It's a Beautiful World! If you don't feel like tearing it apart here is an idea. If one artist created it, perhaps, you could find another one who could follow its curves and apply paint in 2 or 3 colors/shades you like and that can work together. This way you will transform an old art piece into a new one. You can then use these colors to paint the walls and also in your decor in the rest of the room. Best of luck!... Raisa

Grapevine Realty What the heck??? That is the craziest thing I have ever seen! I think it would be so cool painted! Why don't you paint it white or light gray or maybe even red. It would be a nice design under paint and not so blinding!

Maryl Hershelman And the comments go on....in the middle of the night, at that! That wall doesn't need any more than just the right shade of paint....Ralph Lauren makes a suede finish in grey to match the grout...and increase baseboards to 12'....they look piddley.

beerpocketbook Jcorrigan77, thanks kindly for answering my questions. I was re-reading some of the comments and somewhere along the line, someone suggested removing 1/2 inch of the grout and replacing it with a grout color that is more subtle and closer to the color of the bricks. I was also studying the outside chimney: is the grout the same color on this sculpture as it is on the fireplace? It looks more subtle, a little closer to the brick color. Is it possible one of the previous owners already tampered with the grout on the fireplace? You are sort of the "curator" of this brick sculpture, but if the grout color is not the same as on the outside chimney, I think you could safely change it on the fireplace without doing any "sacrilege" to the original design!

Steffi Bosgoed Looks like someone escaped the Shire and built a hobbit chimney... You could plaster the whole chimney and paint it in a beautiful sand shade of cream color that runs along the rest of the wall.

patti1123 Santa may have issues with this one.

bevballew If you personally do not want it get it covered with something you would like that protects,it from being ruined. That way you will,have the best of both worlds! It will be protected by being covered.

Elif Memisoglu If you plan on painting maybe this would be a good reference. Lighter between bricks and variations of cream and gray. Maybe the use of texture and smooth surfaces in antoni gaudi architecture can help with decor. Even changing the bottom of the fireplace with textured base.

Susan Fox Brilliant suggestions from everyone...and what an amazing variety, but people PLEASE...this is an actual work of art by an established artist! To paint or change it in ANY way is not cool! Like it or don't like it but the artist's work MUST NOT BE CHANGED!! We need to figure out a way to bring the room to " IT". Look at the interest this thing has generated so far and it is still going strong. It stopped being "just a fireplace" a long time ago.

DIAspoton i thought it was cool when 1st posted and i still do. the room just needs artistic/quirky furnishings to play to it.

carole keep coming back to look at your fireplace,and i think you should keep it too!!!

Jill Pertuso Ditto!

Lizabeth Wow just wow. What a litmus test this piece of art and this thread shows just how polarizing art can be. I saw this thread in the corner for weeks and finally took the time to read it all in one big meal. I love the conversation that it provokes and I loved reading of those whose feelings toward it changed and evolved. It really is a deep piece that speaks to the nature of beauty and our ability to see beauty in all things.
Some great ideas already put forth on how to intergrate this work into the rest of the room.
Those of you who appeciate the organic nature of the work may want to check out Patrick Dougherty at www.stickwork.net

studio10001 OK, this is an incomplete notion, but here goes: if the idea of softening the edges is still looking good to you, what about using canvas gessoed to replicate the shape you would have had from the copper and then painting the "finish" on...it's a technique used for the stage to create all kinds of things, and Jul313Gallery just posted some work that reminded me of your colorways(she's showing a marbelized effect with it).It can be fireproofed, shaped and/or blended with other maleable materials before giving it a hard finish..this time I am sending you to your local university theatre dep't for artisans, as it takes a particular skill set to pull off.

kirtiratnam I think it's absolutely beautiful! I hope you don't decide to tear it down or cover it up. :-) Some ideas: A natural tree slab mantle flowing off onto the wall towards the window would break up the height and draw the eye away from it a bit. This could be stained to the same colour as the hard wood floor. Clad the base in wood or stone. Keep the walls a clean white. If the FP is still too loud for the room you could consider painting the brick above the mantle white as well. Natural textured white walls above the little shelf will also help the brick blend more into the room instead of the smooth plaster look in the photos.

kirtiratnam


A rough hewn mantle like this counter may look nice against the brick?

babette14 Well I have used up about an hour , drawn like the rest of you to Spoffy our now beloved eyesore, Starts out a YUCK then becomes a querry,Now a cause. I love the organic idea, mono tones and fix that base and opening, Plants staggered upward playing up that ledge on the one side and the little direction low on the other. I would never destroy it but personally would go with the suggestions given in the grey road, dark floors and great lines and natural hobbit look. But I like those natural chairs and such from North Carolina....

Kathryn Peltier Design I keep getting email updates about this thread and just checked back. I had one more idea: what about using (what I have always heard referred to as) Carolina siding on the LR wall - this would be easy to do and would bring the organic touch really easily into the room.


I would scribe it to the FP so the whole thing looks like one piece.

Kathryn Peltier Design Wow - look at this!

Kathryn Peltier Design Here is another photo of the Carolina siding with stone and brick used together in a very charming way. The clinker bricks actually kind of remind me of your FP

bonnieth Wow, took me a long time to catch up! I love unconventional ideas and artistic expressions. I think it will be fun to create a warm, cozy space. And.....if it is hungry, feed it some wood!!

natterbug03 I think if you paint it you will loose the artistry. I would make it the focal point (as it is anyway) and go with it. Maybe bring in some other pieces to compliment the brick color. If you paint it it will just look like an awkward color blob.

Barnhart Gallery Got my Crate & Barrel catalog today and it has two items for Spoffie's room:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/search.aspx?query=stone%20stool

Maryl Hershelman I just come back to visit every day....the brain power and creativity just never seems to end, does it? Ok, it's been weeks since the first post...what have you done besides read posts and actually live your life? So many good ideas have been thrown at you....it's like trying to figure out what cold medicine you need when there are literally hundreds. Thinking back to Contact and simpler times.

zindor I will echo studio10001's thought about marketing this design dilemma. This project already has a dedicated following, so it could be something that might grow further, assuming that the idea does not scare you too much. I would love to see a design magazine pick up this project and publish different professional's idea photos for the decor. Even a cable station such as HGTV or DIY could do a special on the project. Perhaps you could even get your design choices paid for through the publicity. Houzz has a winning story with this already, so you may also find a way to profit for the benefit of your house and family.

Susan Fox I agree with Zindor...would LOVE to see this project go to DIY or HGTV. This might even grab the attention of John Spofforth..the artist responsible.

studio10001 Thanks, zindor. I will continue introducing the thought periodically in the thread until Powers That Be reach out a Hand to J Corrigan, or vice-versa. Anybody out there go any contacts?!

mckstacy WARNING TO JCORRIGAN: You never know when you might get a SURPRISE VISIT from HGTV's guy that likes to hang around inside Home Depot & then follow people home to mess with their stuff...DON'T LET HIM MESS WITH SPOFFY! Even if OPRAH & NATE BERKUS show up at your door - HANDS OFF THE SPOFFster!!!

onthefence KSMA - I just went back and looked at your copper mockup photo again. That is SO COOL. I will say that when I look at it on my monitor, it almost looks like varying types of wood in different stains. Could something like that be made to work?

lc29 I just wanted to comment if the color of the grout disturbs you there is a paint type product that can be brushed onto the grout. Used it once for grout that came out a lot darker than envisioned. I do think the artist proportions are a little off. The size of the fireplace for the room, the small size of hearth, etc. and I cant quite figure out why he pointed the open towards the outside wall. Artistic license, I guess!

KSMA Onthefence, I absolutely agree that wood panels would be beautiful. That's a great idea because the grain can be rotated to match the brick direction for that area. It might be a much more affordable, and even diy direction to go in. Just a veneered plywood would be nice, even, if you can find a way to hide the edges with a trim piece or something.

onthefence Just had another thought although I'm not sure how it would be implemented. What about rust wall paint?

I just did a quick search for rust wall paint and found these patinas from a professional faux finisher. I do like the look!
http://www.terrafaux.com/home/metal-patina/metal-paint-patinas

gmfarrell Onthefence, I love that rust paint, but I wonder if it would compete with the fireplace for attention, rather than complimenting it.

vacox I love the fireplace and it sounds to me like you will make this a lovely room... It sounds like a wonderful property. Congratulations!

Ramona Why don't you contact the artist and ask him what he feels about it. I agree with other postings that the problem in this room is scale and the cookie cutter nature of the home/room. Perhaps he completed this project knowing about those issues but ignoring them because of the home owner's wishes or even his own experimentation. This might be a dead end and/or the artist might now be happy or cooperative, but it would be enlightening for you.

maggiemae0552 as Beyonce said....."if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it..." keep it

chanored It is quite unusual but its art. I would try built-in book cases flanking each side. Perhaps free floating shelves, dark wood, with books and family pics of all sizes sitting on them. It might draw the eye toward the wall and not just the fire place. My first thought would have been to replace it but after reading the artist bio, I would try to work with it. Oh yes, track lighting out. - recessed in. Good luck! I'm sure it will work out.

tkc9po Perhaps the grout could be lightened? Then the walls could be painted in a color pulled from the bricks themselves to make the fireplace flow with the wall better. Hardwood floors will help also as the bricks have an earthy tone to them (depending on the color you go with). I would change the paint and floors and empty the room before you decide to do anything else. I wouldn't paint over the brick until you looked into changing grout color and I would contact the artist about that first as he may have the best idea of how to go about that. Art built into the structure of the home is always tricky as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the fireplace is an awesome piece of art/craft that has a wretched "frame". We have a builder special brick fireplace with white mantel plunked on top that I just despised until I painted the surrounding wall a different color and removed the brass doors. Cleaned it up a little and now I don't mind it at all (wouldn't choose it from scratch but THAT is usually a different story!) Perhaps this creation needs a little TLC and pampering to really shine.

tkc9po Oh yeah, and get rid of the track lights!!!!! Some recessed lights and window treatments on the picture window will help a lot.

tkc9po I see now the previous person painted the wall in the darker shade of the brick, try the lighter end of the spectrum (think linen?, and lightening the grout) and throw some linen drapes on the windows and the whole effect may be really softened

tkc9po Try a grey area rug on the hardwood that matches the hearth top.

lilion I found the house your fireplace belongs in! http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2013/3/11/15/enhanced-buzz-7820-1363031658-13.jpg

kimdee24 Perfect! It reminds me of that old nursery rhyme:

There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile.
He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

mrsmarycourt We were searching for a way to brighten up our dark fireplace and found a product called Brick Anew... Basically three neutral color palettes to choose from, but keeps the look of brick instead of a flat-look... $200 online, a small investment before covering? Good luck!

bevballew That is so cute! Where is the building at lilion...what city?

Barnhart Gallery One of my favorite people is a crooked man. Physically and humorously, not morally.

Kathryn Peltier Design I think you might need this lamp I just happened to see on Ebay ;-)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Abaca-Woven-Table-Lamp-With-Glass-Shade-24-H-/360614394078?pt=Lamps_US&hash=item53f64af8de

Lilly nunes Oh goodness i would put a huge curtain in front of it. And never let anyone open it.

apennameandthata If he was not famous, you could use this.

julielen it is so oddly interesting, I agree with keeping it - at least for a while. I'd go neutral every where else. Just neutral paint and painting the trim and getting rid of the track lighting and the new floor... then sit with it for a year or two and see what kind of inspiration you get.

Barnhart Gallery Kathryn Peltier, yes on the lamp! Spoffie want!

studio10001 Studio want, too!

Barnhart Gallery Hi Spoffie -- I missed you, and I felt like checking back and seeing some of my personal favorites in your room. So here you are with some grey canvas drapes and Rossio Cork from Lumber liquidators. Jcorrigan's lighting I couldn't wait to see, and it looks great! I wonder if J has looked under that red rug, because stained concrete might be cool for you too. And J's idea of a lighter hardwood might be okay.
Anywhooo...as long as you're waiting for your new digs, you might find some artsy stuff you like if you search for the textiles of Valentina Ramos. Her frog and owl reminded me of you. Keep bein' Spoffie and stay you. -K Barnhart

jibbon The fireplace is the most redeeming element in the space. Once you get rid of that carpet, white the walls and bring the furniture into the middle of the room - it'll rock. Ultimately I'd consider a deck on the outside and glass on the chimney wall so it floats in its natural organic state outside/inside. PLEASE don't paint it or tear it down - take the house down first and rebuild around the fireplace!

Ed Amazing! :)

Barnhart Gallery jibbon -- indoor/outdoor Spoffy is intriguing indeed. Picturing him open on both sides is reminding me of a storied trip through the redwood forest...

Barnhart Gallery OMGoodness, anyone remember "The Gnome Mobile?" LOh no L!

vacox Barnhart Gallery, I follow this fireplace discussion and when I saw this comment in my email I thought you were talking about my montage from my discussion. My stomach flipped over, I though OMG, my montage reminds him/her of the GNOME mobile?!?!?

Barnhart Gallery LOL vacox -- you remember the movie? Should've been an MST3K.

nevadan I agree with jibbon. While not a work of art, the fireplace is original and an interesting piece of craftsmanship. The room, on te other hand, is dreary. Does the fireplace work well, i.e., draw?

Distinguished Flooring LLC Looks frightening to me

Don vonAhlefeld, Hayes Cabinets Inc. Wow! If you are going to keep the fireplace then I think you ought to keep the red carpet too. They set each other off. This thing needs to go away, and the guy that thought it was a good idea to build it, needs either an intervention, or better drugs.

Barnhart Gallery Forgot to add in the felted rock pillows that sapphire27 suggested some time back; I like those for Spoffie too.

jcorrigan77 Well, there is no shortage of honesty around here!! ...which I can appreciate! I also appreciate my fab husband who has been working his butt off installing can lights and ripping out the sea of red berber!! Virtual cheers!! Yay!! Oh, and I love my quasi SIL who got the hardwood ordered after putting up with insane amounts of indecision!

Barnhart, how the heck do you do those mockups?? What program? I'm not interested in trying to learn Photoshop, but if anyone knows of cheaper, simpler software...? Also love your enthusiasm!! :)

Barnhart Gallery Glad for the update jcorrigan -- I had great design software that didn't transfer to my new computer when I upgraded, so for now I'm using the humble MS Windows Paint program that most of us have. What hardwood did you choose? I really do like the lights you found. And glad you have "Team Spoffie" helping to get the work done.

I hope you'll get a pleather-bound photo album in which to keep a printout of all of these comments to place on a burled wood coffee table in the Spoffie room for posterity and amusement. Looking forward to your next update!

Chase Oh god I love this! Damn, back in bachelor days this alone would have sold the house for me. It is a bit unsettling, but this thing deserves a places at MOCA. It's wildly fantastic. Keep it!

Amy Thompson Turn it into Weekend Renovation TV! They would love to redo this for you and you can get on TV!

Sue So Keep Spoffy alive!

onthefence After 3 working days this week that feel like 3 months, it's nice to come here and see Spoffy's smile ;-) Additionally, it always makes ME smile seeing Barnhart Gallery dress him SO well.

Three cheers to...
jcorrigan for keeping the fans updated!

jcorrigan's DH for going into battle with red berber - and WINNING. And then giving Spoffy some light!

jcorrigan's quasi-SIL for understanding that big decisions take time.

Barnhart Gallery for keeping Spoffy surrounded by the latest and greatest ideas.

And mostly to Spoffy and the fan club who salutes conventionality with a resounding raspberry!

Susan Fox Do I detect a change in attitude creeping in with our contributers? Seems to me that I am seeing more Spoffy lovers chiming in lately than I do Spoffy haters . This is a good thing in my opinion.

Barnhart Gallery, I nominate you as the fan club president, as JCorrigan 77 is already Spoffy's owner and has her work cut out for her just maintaining Spoffy's image. Also love the idea for an album of all these comments....a "baby book" of sorts which could be presented to a prospective buyer in the event that JCorrigan should ever decide to sell. It might just be a selling feature showing how much interest Spoffy has generated.

I, for one, hope this site stays open for some time, as I have fallen in love with Spoffy and look forward to my email box each morning. I know that JC and her family actually have a life outside of all this and will eventually need to move on, but I do hope before they do that they post a parting shot of Spoffy in all his glory.

Thanks for all the fun and keep the comments coming.

palindrome388 I think it would look nice covered in 1" blue glass tiles. Then it might look like a waterfall and be less jarring than the crazy brick pattern that's going on now.

jcorrigan77 You guys are the best!! I wish we could all meet up for drinks...in my livingroom of course! ;)

Sue So I'd serve Spoffitinis! Spoffaritas!

onthefence I'll bring a tray of Spoffitizers. The best part is that thinking of a hostess gift for jcorrigan is a snap!

peetsoo Just chiming in to say I too am enjoying the input from the save the fireplace fan club :) I find myself checking in on the newest ideas and comments each evening with my coffee........ love the suggestions ...particularly those from Barnhart Gallery and KMSA. I also really enjoy the updates from jcorrigan 77. Not sure how I' ll feel when renos are all done though....feeling a little invested in this project from a distance now...........will need a new hobby.....or a photo of Spoffie in my own home so I don't experience withdrawl. This thread has brought smiles and chuckles to many I'm sure.....

studio10001 It is perhaps time for another SPOFFY PSA: Writers, film makers, artists,design pros seeking audition tapes for HGTV and Masters candidates seeking thesis material: You can be famous from working on spec!! Please send all detailed pitches to jcorrigan care of Save The Spoffster. By including copies to the following: this site, HGTV, Traditional Home, Archetectural Digest, The Smithsonian, National Geographic, Popular Science, PBS and that guy your Aunt Betty knows that won a daytime Emmy in set design last year - you can save the hands of jcorrigans' rug -ripping husband and end the despair of dozens of Houzzers who are silent(!) witnesses to Spoffy's international abuse at the hands of brick haters everywhere. Don't delay- Help Jcorrigan save Spoffy today. You'll be glad you did. Thank you.

Susan Fox Much to my surprise, when I Googled John Spofforth this morning, attempting to learn more about the man, I found that our Spoffy has made it to yet another site! On page two of Spofforth's site there is a heading that reads ....Fireplace by John Spofforth-Home Decorating and Design Forum....I clicked it, and lo and behold, there was OUR Spoffy with another community discussing him!!! The link was Gardenweb.com.

I don't know how I feel about this ! JC,are you ready for the notoriety ? Yikes!!!

Please, someone check me out on this...did I get this wrong or is our Spoffy going "big time"?

JC...I fear you may be giving tours of your home soon if Spoffy's popularity continues to swell. At least that would be one way to pay for his redo.

Chin up...we are there for you!!!

bonnieth Yes, I can see him going viral!!

furrytoes I love this conversation! Please, jcorrigan, post some "work in progress" pictures.

Just spotted on Houzz: Spoffy's country cousin

sapphire27 Aw furrytoes. You posted them first. :)

furrytoes @sapphire27: Great minds think alike!

Jayme Hobbs The plant in "Little Shop of Horrors"...screaming...."FFEEEED ME SEYMOUR"...has come to mind when I look at this FP...Not meant to be an insult at all...

Barnhart Gallery Here's a link to the site I think Susan found this morning:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0216212428474.html?10

And click here to see Spoffy's big daddy, as mentioned by jakabedy on the above site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39455884@N00/5594448691/

krenzi Paint it. Out a neutral shade on the walls, light gray or cream in eggshell, and the bricks in the same color semigloss.

Susan Fox Barnhart GalIery...Is that what Spoffy is going to become when he grows up?

Jayme Hobbs The Plant

No offense intended ..please do not take any.

mckstacy JCorrigan - gotta say - all this Spoffattention is keeping me smiling! Please keep the Spoffy Fan Club up to date, especially pics of the work in progress. And yes, wouldn't it be GREAT if we all met (wherever Spoff's geographical location is!) for the UNVEILING?!!! Seriously. You could just have an OPEN HOUSE over a weekend. Charge an admission "viewing fee" to recoup some $$'s. I'll bring Spoffamole & Chips.

actonfam Please don't do anything to this fireplace!!! It's AMAZING!!

studio10001 I'll make Spoffitos

jessfikan I think this is sublime, I'd keep it and relish it.

porjanie I love that fire place. The problem is everything around it. They are just not on the same level of design, too straight and staid. Also you need to have more warmth and earthy colors brought in.

Naomi Frash Do matching red paint or wall paper to the carpet on the walls, either side of the the brick.

ch13 chioma iroegbu wow this house is great but need more touches in terms of color,planing,department of home science of nutrition can be of web.check out this website for more details. http://www.unn.edu.ng/department/home-science-nutrition-and-dietetics

Kivi My first reaction was "what the ..." However, upon refection letting its look settle in for me...and some further understanding of the artist, I would embrace it. I would say clean the brick inside, and on the outside of the house, but them work the rest of the room to harmonize with the look and feel. Honestly, now I think you have a gem on your hands, you just need to set the stage. I think Jeffery Brookes Interior design had some great ideas for the flooring etc....
I think you have a unique and exciting project on your hands.

3DCGI You have to keep the fireplace. ...The fireplace is a incredible piece of artwork !

It really is all about how you deal with the rest of the space, that will ultimately determine the quality of this room. If you treat the artist's work with consideration and respect you will further enhance it's position within the room.

The application of mirrors to the adjacent walls will only add to the 3D qualities of this artwork and improvements to the lighting, wall and flooring finishes will ultimately create a space that will work with whatever furniture you put in.....and it should.

We think that it could look a little something like this...

3DCGI The Before Shot....

Dee Gilliam Late to the party but... This work of art, while not my taste, could be quite beautiful. If you can envision bringing the outdoors inside and laying a rustic wood floor perpendicular to the base of the fireplace which could be sandblasted to make it less ominous, it could be quite lovely.

Barnhart Gallery Hmmm, 3DCGI -- I like the mirror. I don't want to be the one to try to cut it to fit seamlessly, but I do like it. Interesting thought. jc?

Barnhart Gallery Sheesh, good thing poor Spoffie has a thick skin.

Christy Olinger-Piccione I'm sorry but I think it is beautiful! My fireplace is the center point if my house I wish it had a funky twist like that! Post after pic please;)

carole have any changes been made,would love to see an update on spoffie,please???

cattfamily2012 Is there any chance that fireplace was originally two stories tall?
I have, like many others, transitioned from "oh how weird" to that is so "cool". I googled John Spofforth and after reading his biography and the intent behind his art, it is easier to understand "Spoffy". Congratulations for having such a stimulating Decorating Dilemna!

Barnhart Gallery Awww, looks like someone else warmed up to Spoffie...the post I was responding to above was deleted.

cattfamily2012 I vote for the design that incorporates the mirrors flanking the fireplace. The fireplace truly becomes the piece of art it should be. I like how the mirrors give it a freestanding illusion and, also, enlarge the feel of the room.

3DCGI Thanks cattfamily2012!........What do you think jcorrigan77?

The Victorian Fireplace Frame forward of the brick with metal studs, rework the brick opening then finish the redone fireplace wall with normal brick or stone . Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....or in this case, the eye of the mortgage holder!

zindor CH13, if you are a real person, please avoid posting comments that look like internet spam.

Dan Daugherty Wow...A Lot to read up there... Has anyone suggested working with the fireplace instead of fighting it? Here is a perfect opportunity to accent something artistic with something artistic.

Imagine a Metal sculpture created using the contours of the fireplace to increase the appeal of the room and add more drama. Awesome opportunity to get outside the box.

Sometimes embracing the difficulty is the answer.

Amy Torres Also late to this party but read all 546 messages (whew!) Really do like the image with the blue stone hearth and mirror to draw attention to Spoffy.... (also had to post on this thread so I will get to see the updates.) Embrace individuality!

johnnyboy3 Re the 3d image of the proposal: Great solution to the design - especially the mirrors. Also, this is a great facility for people to visualise their ideas really quickly. Wonder if this site could offer this 3d service? Would be very interesting if the cost was affordable. What are other people's thoughts?

lake1114 I say RUN!! LOL Seriously, if you like it live with it the way it is, if you don't like it, I would dry wall around it and leave the structure intact. Whether you like it or not, it is a piece of art and someone else might love it and it may possibly be worth something now or someday. Good Luck!

Veronica S Anderson Jcorrigan, by what you have described it sounds like your home is wonderful. Keep Spoffy! Maybe get a photographer and chronicle the work, then get a publisher and sell as a coffee table book. Maybe even due house tours to offset the costs.



By

Susan Fox Well, it looks like interest in "Spoffy" has mellowed a bit. I hope JCorrigan didn't get overwhelmed!
Seriously though, there are a ton of wonderful ideas here and I really hope we get to find out which direction you choose . My favorite is from 3DCGI, and if the mirrors are too costly then I think a plank wood treatment on either side would be just as nice. What I have learned from most of the suggestion is that it is the whole room blending together that will make the difference.....not just fixing the fireplace... and I feel like 3DCGI showed us a very good example of simplicity. "Spoffy" looked very happy in that setting! Best of luck to you and please keep your fans updated.

studio10001 We are all just waiting for the unveiling....

feeny But no pressure.....;-)

peetsoo ....I'm just ready with the drumroll.............

Oellien Design, Inc. Wow,,,,,,,,,,this is a first. I have never seen anything like this before. I hate to say this but I would have to demo brick facade off and replace it. Anything you do to work around this element does nothing for the value appreciation of your home. This detail is not something that most people would enjoy or appreciate. Rent a jack hammer and slowly remove the brick. Good Luck.

studio10001 (rent some glasses and slowly read the thread?)

Jan Stevens I would leave the facade as is as painting it will ruin its value. After all it is a named artist that created the structure. I would paint the surrounding walls the medium to dark gray to frame and highlight the bricks....like a mat around a photo. then I would paint the remaining walls the lighter version of the dark grey accent wall. The wood floor tone could relate in color to the beige of the bricks. and then keep all furnishings clean simple no frills letting the fireplace be the main element in the room.

3DCGI Thanks Susan Fox ! We're glad that you like the option in the render !

Darzy Olellina Design...give it a few more days and come back. Many who have hated it have come back and changed their mind about it. Odd, this "guy" grows on you. :)

Barnhart Gallery Indeed Darzy, and for some of us it was love at first sight.

jcorrigan77 Ugh! Houzz hates my iPad. :(. Really hard time making posts and desktop was disassembled in the flooring process! Can't upload pics either! :(. Just wanted you all to know we're still able to at least read your posts!! :)

Callie Henrichs We're patiently waiting for the final results jcorrigan77. :o) I'm sure it will be worth the wait too.

lesmiles4 I'm new here. That fireplace is crazy!!! Good luck.

Christine Robertson Sounds like you are in the middle of renovations. I am looking forward to the result.

Susan Fox JCorrigan, as Callie H said, we are patiently waiting to see the big reveal. I understand the computer situation so just get back to us when you can please.
Glad you are still reading our posts...I check this feed almost every day. Sounds like you have chosen a flooring solution and the project is underway. Good luck with that. These projects take a lot of time so hang in there. I am sure you are going to love whatever you choose as your design.
One thing for sure, you have made a ton of new friends with this adventure.
I would like to know if Houzz has ever had a subject generate this much interest before. Come on Houzz....doesn't JCorrigan deserve some recognition for bringing so much attention to your site?
Well, good luck JC...you are still our favorite.

furrytoes Spoffy's rich stuck-up aunt who lives in a Manhattan penthouse.

emwalsh Please share the reveal on Facebook. I also have been checking for updates and the outcome of the Aunt's fireplace.

studio10001 She's not brick...must have married into the family *L*

onthefence LOL @ studio10001! Either that or do you think it's the work of a skillful plastic surgeon?

studio10001 Could be....no breast... no fender, she's all leg - and definitely not a flue-zy...I'll bet she's a model!

ezgardengal By all means, KEEP the unique fireplace! YES, to the updated changes suggested.

momof5x If it is valuable then perhaps you should insure it. It will also add value to your house. I wouldn't paint over it or change it structurally in that case. I wouldn't really like it too BUT after seeing some of the designs on here, I suppose one could grow to love it.

The other option is to build a book case around the upper part ( above it ) to make the fireplace look smaller and without damaging it and try to add a mantel to it. At least that way you won't damage it ( just covered it) but still partly get what you want.

Mike BROUSE fine art original artwork is always preferred over prints

pearlmelba Your fireplace is the original keep it work with it

bocadog I think the fireplace is cool. Kinda looks like they could have film the Hobbit and your house!

jjhy KSMA... has it! Great job! No matter how one feels about this piece of art, it would be wrong to cover or change the art. It is what surrounds the art that must conform, or transform it to be, what you'd like to see.

pearlmelba What do you think Santa would say

Promethean Remodeling, LLC He would say " Rudolph...dude...what was in those brownies we ate at the last house?"

pearlmelba I was in the brownies many years ago so I could not eat a whole one

Barnhart Gallery In the brownies pearl? LOL Promethean.

schurer I once bought a 200 year old house with a gigantic brick fireplace in the back yard--right in front of the porch door. Awkward. To my surprise, the bricks fell apart very easily with a good solid hammer blow. In a n afternoon, it was gone. You are never going to be truly happy with this monstrosity in your living room, getting rid of it will not be hard (it is probably backed by chicken wire), and then you can put up a really cool fireplace.

pearlmelba Be it a monstrosity or not at the end of the day it's the people who live in this house have to live with it hope they do what's right for them and the fireplace Lots of people await its fate or its fame

pearlmelba After a rigerious test riding my bike with out the saddle five miles showing I could tie my shoe laces blindfolded they let me in the brownies Barnhart thanks for asking

Promethean Remodeling, LLC I was in the boyscouts but got kicked out for eating brownies! ( I know it is a bad joke...but I just couldn't resist!!)

pearlmelba Back to eating brownies hay dude what was in them brownies in the last tent we both stayed in i thought i knew you what was that in your shorts you pleased to see me no it was a brownie funny place to hide them greedy boyscout no such thing as a bad joke just the bad way they are told

pearlmelba Someone please make a new comment about this fireplace please someone !!!

Susan Mills Design Fireplace? What fireplace?

bonnieth No comment except that it is time to see an update, even if it is a picture of a renovation mess.

Granite Grannies There are so many comments, but I just have to chime in. This is one of those completely unique parts of a home that only comes along once in a great while. Please do not tear it down! If you must hide it, then drywall over it so that future owners can re-expose it and this magnificent work of art isn't lost in a "cut up the mona lisa to make a table" incident.

pearlmelba Good point if they do this then in about fifty years time someone can start up a dilemma about a fireplace that will go on for months or ever years please let us see progress thus far as I am getting older by the second and fifty years is a long way off

Susan Fox Good morning JCorrigan! Hope you are still hanging in there. I am one of those "patiently waiting" Spoffy fans.
How is the project coming along? I'll bet you are up to yours ears in sawdust and the last thing you want to do is chime in here, but PLEASE, touch base with us occasionally!!! At least that way we will all know if our quest is over or not. I have to admit that I will miss checking for updates every morning, so I am hoping that you are still with us. Thanks, and good luck with Spoffy.

cnessler I have read every single comment and suggestion and love this! It feels like the season finale of a favorite TV show - but the cliffhanger is a killer. Hope we don't have to wait for fall to see the progress on Spoffy.

onthefence How funny! I was thinking of Spoffy just the other day. Hiya Spoffster!

cathjim WOW! I'm so dizzy my head is spinning. Like a whirl pool it never ends. I'm so DIZZY!!!

primuz Wow it's a love r hate thing but I would also love to see the out come :)

ASVInteriors @cath - now that song is going to be stuck in my head all today!